“Nothing is different, and everything is changed.” It’s a line from A Paul Simon song. And every time I hear it, the thought resonates through me like Truth.
The anticipation for BIG changes that will alter the course of civilization runs high these days. As I read the articles — both scientific and metaphysical — about the state of flux our world and environment is on the brink of experiencing, I wonder if we might be missing subtleties of what awakening is.
I recall the year 1999. Wayyyyy back then, it was the 2K electronic failure that surged in the news as the event that would bring our world into a new order as we grappled with the loss of a computer-run systems. Remember that? And then…nothing happened. Life went on with a chagrined chuckle.
Now, we are advised to prepare for life as we know it to end. The end of the Mayan cycles. The Hopi Prophecies. Climate change. The Rapture. The stories of what will happen are as varied as the belief systems that craft them. All of them share in common the one prophecy: big change is imminent. But…
What if?
What if the the change is inside of us rather than outside of us? What if the transformation is an internal event rather than an external circumstance? Is it possible that we thought ‘nothing’ happened when the century turned to 2000, but — in actuality — everyone on the planet did experience an internal reboot of our electromagnetic systems? Could it be that our attention to the outer situation distracted us from a conscious awareness of a cosmic opportunity?
As my mind travels this track, I realize all the “small” moments of awakening I’ve experienced, each one in itself a seemingly inconsequential change. Each one incrementally creating the platform for the next small shift to occur. Who I am today may seem much the same as who I was yesterday, but in the larger view who I was twelve years ago no longer exists.
So, for example, the other day when I folded the dish towel and put it away without the usual reminder to the person who left it out, a new part of me came awake — an aspect of myself more easily in the flow of community. When I felt a momentary angst of impatience and was able to let go — release — into the abiding peace of what is, another part of me experienced an awakening into a greater understanding of Grace. With each awakening shift in my awareness, as each expansion of being translates into who I Am becoming, some aspect of who I was integrates into something new. As if nothing is different and everything is changed.
I feel within and sense the path of awakening as a subtle opening, as a blossom unfurls to the sun. The stages are simple and small… unnoticeable, even, to the naked eye. Nonetheless, the result is inevitable. Changed and changing in an ever expanding realization of being.
The awakening of who we are into all we are becoming internally and eternally…what a grand adventure!
I love you. Thank you.
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Yes! Such a small thing, not to comment on the dishtowel left out…. but such an important thing too! I notice that I am much more at ease now with taking responsibility for what I want done, and doing it myself. It’s in the flow of community, and also helps me be more at peace and less irritated in my daily life.
More at peace is a very good thing! For me, it qualifies as world service ;>)
Understood what a huge moment not wasting the energy to get someone to do that simple thing of putting something away they took out. Great message
So subtle and yet so life-changing, right? It rocked my world 🙂
I’ve often wondered if it’s the little things that define who we are and what we are becoming — you’ve really done a great job of putting that little niggling thought into words so I can see it more clearly now 🙂
My pleasure, Alan 😀 A little pleasure that makes a wonderful platform.
Ahna, this reminds me so strongly of something we always seem to forget if we are in action oriented, outward focus…nature never rushes, yet EVERYTHING gets done…we never see the lovely microbacterial fauna that supports the soil, that nurtures the seed, that grows ever so slowly towards the light…all miracles occurring slowly and steadily micro-steps at a time, long before the flower is even considered by the plant! I feel that your evaluation rings so true and as I reflect back on these past 12 years the changes IN ME, based on the seeds planted and the energy swirling are as you said, nothing less than miraculous and astounding. Just like crops grown season to season, the body/mind of the first season gives way to the new and improved (evolved, awakened…you pick the word) body/mind of the next season. The vital essence is saved and passed forward but the roots are much stronger and deeper if you nurture the inner, unseen work and allow the outward expression to JUST BE….Huge hugs and thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
Yes! Exactly! And, yet again, Nature is best teacher. Here’s to our microbial shifts 😀