Regardless of your opinions on the recent US election, it is highly likely that the process has gotten you more passionate than you have been in quite some time! 

When we have been lulled in to complacency we don’t even know it. That’s what is so dangerous about it. As the old saying goes “How do you boil a frog? By placing it in cold water and slowly turning the heat up.” 

Passion is neither good nor bad in itself - a lot depends on what we are passionate about. However, complacency is hard to say the same of. 

Where have you gotten lazy and complacent in your life? Where have you let your own callings grow cold?  

This election has provided us all a great wake up call (whichever side of the US border you are on) to own our values, to not just leave it to others to bring about change but truly to choose to “Be the change” we want to see. 

Instead of letting the polarization grow, how can we, how can I be a force for love, for deeper listening, for healing? That can sound all pie in the sky or that can translate to me being kind to the people in my life everyday in more intentional, more outspoken ways.  

Revolution can indeed come in different ways and what this election has told us all is that there are things that need fixing still. While it is still burning hot, what will you choose to do? 

I’m choosing to find ways to support healthy dialogue, to speak up when I run in to destructive stereotypes that run counter to the real life exceptions that surround us.  

Running from any kind of confrontation and disagreement used to be my way of showing up in the world. Now I choose to be contrary but try to do so in ways that can be heard. 

Let’s take the example of some of the people making The Cedars beautiful. Dario Comache is our head stone mason. Not only is he creating incredible magic but he is the hardest working person I know. One morning after he had just started working at our place I was going to make sure the gate was open. It was still dark, it was 7:15am. As I approached the garden area I literally jumped when I realized there were 2 men standing in the garden. They were waiting for the first ray of light so they could start work. 

Dario’s employee gets 1 or 2 days a week off but Dario is there everyday. In the heat. In the rain. Every day.  

If someone talks to me about Latino immigrants guess what my reference point is?  

Let’s remember that behind all of our stereotypes, all of our passionate views, are real human beings with real stories. 

There are a lot of people feeling vulnerable right now. Who can you show some extra appreciation to this week?  

Until next week, 

Marilyn.

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