by: Aliana Alani ©2017
Tempests, when they brew, have a tendency to swirl and spit, which can sometimes fly, the spit that is, and sometimes far. When tempest spit lands, at this point being a rather toxic substance, it can oft times burn. It also has a nasty habit of starting little tempests of its own.
Tempests like to gather momentum, pulling from the energy around them. It matters not what devastation is left behind. A tempest simply wants and so must have. It likes to grow. It’s in its nature. Tempests, it is worth noting, are generally not there for happy endings.
So here we are. standing midst a developing world of brewing tempests – some in their oh-so-tiny phase, others gathering lightening-speed momentum. One only has to glance south to recognize this. Given the instant access of social media and online news (some true, some not) that can inundate one before realizing it with an unexpected tempest fury, it is perhaps important to take a deep breath, stop, and remember what truly matters in our lives, who we are as individuals (and as a country), and where we choose to place our focus and actions – ideally, one hopes, for the betterment of all.
That thought brings me to The North.
Though some might say otherwise, ours is not a perfect land. Resplendent in natural beauty, our choices have not always been wise. There is fallow ground crying for seeds of caring to be sown. Areas needing nurturing more than others. And there are wounds still to be healed. Gratitude to be offered. And forgiveness to be given. Like all people and places in this world, here too love is needed.
Still, we carry within a kindness, a genuine decency and caring that for whatever reason seems to waft strongly through the air and song lines of this place we call, CANADA. It is a gift given to us by all that is sacred in this land. It burns unconditionally, like a small flame, calling. And it is possible that because of it, we who live here have an ongoing opportunity, perhaps even an obligation, to share this caring through acts of kindness and compassion with each other, and with this world.
Never has such kindness been needed more than now.
With that in mind, let us not import a negative eye, no matter where it comes from. Let us instead support a positive vision. Let us not adopt the ranting and raving of others. Let us speak in tones of genuine caring and compassion. Let us, with our words and thoughts and deeds, empower, inspire, and uplift. Let each of us, and hence this country, be the constant calm in the middle of the storm.
I believe that areas of this planet carry within qualities and keys that when recognized, honoured, and truly embodied, support the blossoming and prospering of our world into its true essence and story. When that happens, and it will, we will know without question the amazing garden of love and beauty we all live in. We will know it for we will finally be living it at that level of being ourselves.
If our key here in The North, in Canada, is one of kindness and caring, let us dare to live its song fully, let us courageously walk the gentle rhythm of its melody day by day – for the sheer honour of doing so, and for the pure joy of being one with it. Let us humbly and gratefully be the loving calm within the storm.
Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be changing a few things around at 22shangrila – taking down pages, putting new ones up. Consider it a bit of ‘de-cluttering’ for the New Year.
One would think that with all the topsy-turvy in the world we might just get used to the ebb and flow of life, its almost constant shift and change. You could even dance with the idea that within these upside-down moments, tremulous as they often are, reside opportunities hidden deep within, life lessons that can ultimately ease the way, shining a path to home. And yet…
22shangrila 