By Linda Commito
If one completes the journey to one’s own heart, one will find oneself in the heart of everyone else.—Father Thomas Keating
There is no limit to the things, people and events that can cause uncertainty and anxiety in our lives. But how we deal with our anxiety, where we find peace in the midst of it, and how we create connections can be a tremendous source of comfort. How can we share what is giving us hope and a sense of purpose and belonging in an unpredictable world?
After a long, stressful day of watching election non-results, my partner and I looked at each other and said, “Well, we have each other, we have our health and our friends and those we love.” And that brought a sense of peace and the knowledge that we could weather through any crisis together. But as we know, there are no guarantees in life, no warranty on how long we have in these bodies or with those we love.
Have you ever had your world shaken by the ending of a relationship or loss of a loved one and wondered how you would ever feel a sense of such belonging again? That awareness that life can change at any time, that we never know when we may be left to pick up the pieces, makes me value each day, every relationship and how precious they are. And knowing that “we all have an expiration date” makes me more conscious of how I am showing up in the world and trying the best that I can to kindly engage with each person every day.
Whenever I feel centered, at peace with myself, and have a sense of belonging, either to people I love or as part of a community, I am happier, more hopeful, and without fear. It inspires me to connect with others, to let them know that we are in this together. Many of us experienced the importance of a deep sense of oneness when we witnessed the collapse of the World Trade Center and how healing it was to be there for each other. And now, we are going through a worldwide health crisis that is leaving many people feeling as though they are experiencing it alone.
But we are not alone. We are interconnected. We just happen to be living in separate bodies. We’re united in a way that has nothing to do with the blood in our veins, but rather the life energy that is within each of us. We’re learning that turning away from our fellow human beings is like turning away from ourselves. Now, more than ever, we need to be there for each other.
We can create peace and unity in these times of uncertainty. We embrace our oneness when we notice and include everyone everywhere, when we let go of the judgments and criticisms that make others feel isolated, and when we celebrate our differences, as well as our commonality. We can be the one who listens, shares, opens our heart, helps a friend or a total stranger, gives generously, speaks our truth while respecting that of others, and leaves them feeling that they are not alone. It starts with a journey to our own heart, from which we can begin to experience a deeper connection to all beings.
Linda Commito, author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant and teacher, is passionate about her vision to leave this world a kinder, more loving, and interconnected place. Linda’s award-winning book of inspirational stories, Love Is the New Currency, demonstrates how we can each make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others through simple acts of love and kindness. Her latest project, the card game Just Ask 1 2 3, was inspired by a desire to connect people of all different ages, beliefs and lifestyles to share our individuality and find commonality. Linda also created “Kindness Starts with Me,” a program, book and website for children. For more information visit http://www.LoveistheNewCurrency.com or visit the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Justask123game.
