I watched the news the other night. Big mistake. Now I can’t
stop thinking of all the hardship, carelessness, and even horror that people
around the globe – yes, far away but also right next door – go through in their
daily lives. Then, when I looked through my usual computer apps, all my feeds were
filled with love, support, and messages of hope and light because I’m “friends”
with, and “Linked” to people who are on
a compassionate healing path similar to mine.
I’m having trouble reconciling the two disparate messages.
My instinct is to put my attention on the huggy-feely love
messages, of course. One, because it makes me feel like there’s a chance The
World can improve; and two, I know that what you pay attention to is what you
bring into your life. I am aware of what’s going on “out there”, because even
though I purposely turn off the TV I still hear the relevant news through the
grapevine, and during news reports on the radio. Instead of giving in to the
seeming hopelessness of the situation, I choose to send thoughts and prayers of
love instead. Even if you don’t believe my good thoughts are helpful to those
far away people, at least I’m not spreading the gloom to those near me!
I’m good at looking past peoples’ “dark side”. That’s what
makes it possible for me to teach yoga at the county jail and genuinely want to
help them; I don’t ask or read about their crimes, I just surround them with
good vibes and hope some rubs off. I’ll tell you one thing, those women are
always smiling and grateful when I leave; that has to be good for the general
population there, even those who don’t participate. I know there is a reason
they are incarcerated, but I also feel they can be accorded respect as women,
not just convicts, and that this will help them once they return to our
communities.
So here I am, trying to recover from my 5 O’Clock News
hangover when suddenly, there it is -- dang political debate, where the whole
of craziness is laid out before me in one, straight, dark-suited line. I know
there’s some sanity in there somewhere, but the broadcast barely allows that
element to come through. If I listen, will I be informed or just crazed? If I
ignore it, will I be able to make a reasoned vote when the time comes?
You see my dilemma, and perhaps feel it yourself. The World
of my dreams is coated in rainbow hues and the majority of people there have
found inner peace. I can easily live in that world, surrounded, as I am, with
yogis, serious meditators, and loving friends and family here in my lovely,
safe town. Yet I know that “out there” lies a world of darkness and pain. Are
my good intentions enough? Does it help the World’s cause for me to hear the
bad news and fret about it? If I’m not going to go over and physically DO
something, is it useful to moan and cry about inhumanity?
I’m going to go with Goodness and Light. It’s not Pollyanna;
it’s a life strategy. I don’t ignore the strife; I blanket it in compassion. I
know that a smile shared ripples through more that just one person. I know that
when a cranky person walks into a room, it’s a downer for everyone. This
strategy may not be perfect, but it’s a start. Join me.
