what gets in

If you bring forth that which is within you, what you bring forth will save you.  If you do not bring forth that which is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.  ~ Gospel of Thomas

If you can't see God in All, you can't see God at all. - Yogi Bhajan

the one they cut down - mrll 2011

Recently I've had good reason to count my blessings.  A few weeks ago I taught a Yoga & Creativity workshop in Souris, PEI at the Fortune Bridge Yoga Studio.  And then shortly after that I went with some folks out to the Trailside Cafe, which is just about the coziest, friendliest place you could ever want to have dinner & listen to some tunes.  Mitch Schurman opened up with some heart-wrenching songs, and then Catherine Maclellan finished off the night with her usual grace and humour.  I live in one of the safest, most beautiful places in the entire world.  I'm making good headway with my studio practice.  I have an abundance of friends and family who love me and support me.  I am marrying my incredible partner who is also my best friend.  I do what I love as my job.  I love my life, I really do. 

The thing is, though, I have anxiety, fear, anger, sadness, pain, just like anyone.  Having your ideal circumstances doesn't exempt you from carrying the weight that we all carry as human beings.  So, as much as  I would rather insulate myself and not listen to the news and the horrible things we humans do to each other, it gets in.  Worry about what will happen next gets in.  A highway that might get built right through some beautiful, fragile land that I deeply love.  Sorrow for the pain and loss of others gets in.  Today, it's a story about a man beaten to death by another man outside a bar in Halifax.  I don't really know what to do about any of this except to do better in my own life.  Try to be more kind, more available, more understanding, more compassionate.  Try to forgive everyone.  Try to forgive myself.  Try to talk about it, so we all know we're not alone.  Try to bring forth that which is within me, and to say something about what I saw and felt and knew while I was here in this world.  Damn but if it doesn't get rough sometimes.