America’s Birthday – A time to reflect

It’s our country’s birthday on this coming Sunday and just like anyone’s birthday who’s over 21, it’s a time of reflection. It’s a time to look back and see which direction we’re going. The question that’s most important to me at my birthday is not so much what I’ve done, but rather what am I doing NOW. After all, the now really tells me where I’ve been and where I’m going.
So, America right now. Where are we as a country? As a community? How is our health, our happiness, our outlook? It seems a bit gloomy. Kind of like the weather here in Santa Monica that we call June gloom. We know the sunshine is out there, but right now it’s a bit cool, dark and just makes me want to drink tea and curl up with a book. Are we in a crisis? Perhaps we are – economically, culturally, physically and spiritually. I believe though that there’s always hope. If we don’t have hope fagetaboutit!
I truly believe in the 2012 shift that’s occurring. It’s not a Hollywood disaster film where LA falls into the ocean etc. It’s more of a shift of consciousness. It’s kind of like the forest burning itself. Forrest fires occur naturally while spurring new growth and bringing diversity. It’s the natural cycle of death and rebirth. As the forest burns, it’s chaotic, scary and sometimes dangerous, but it’s necessary. We can’t go on like this. Our universe is brilliant and beautiful, but there’s a limit to our abuse. Our universe knows how to heal itself, and it knows when we’ve reached our limit. At this point, I picture The Statue of Liberty throwing down her tablet and starting a fire with her torch while screaming “I can’t take it anymore!”
We as Americans are destroying ourselves and everything in our paths. We have genetically modified foods with hormones, pesticides and other chemicals. Our water, air and consumer products, including toys for children are tainted with chemicals that we know are harmful. We’re still conducting wars in places like Iraq and Afghanistan where we send drones, our daughters and sons and call it a peacekeeping mission. Really? Our financial institutions and corporations are running on greed – So much for self-regulation, right? Our main spiritual institution has committed heinous crimes and hides behind legalities in the name of God, mind you. Right now, literally a storm is brewing. We’re at a loss of how to deal or even stop the worst environmental disaster in our history. To add insult to injury, there are those who don’t even want to a pause to make sure we have safety procedures in place before continuing a potentially dangerous practice. Wow.
This is a dreary report card. Letting our egos run our lives and basing all our decisions on the bottom line just ain’t working. We can’t sustain ourselves this way any longer. Isn’t it obvious? Despite it all though, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Not because I’m super optimistic (even though I am) or psychic, it’s because the light is always there, even in our darkest moments. We just have to look and know where to look? Something can be right in front of us, but still we can’t see it or hear it. Why is that? Perhaps, it’s because it doesn’t look the way we want it to. We want to do business as usual. I sound like a politician – The change we can believe in. Yikes! Perhaps, since we are pointing our fingers at each other, we don’t take the personal responsibility. Like all answers to any questions, the answers are always within. If we just take the time, we’ll know what to do. Be still and know.
On the 4th we all pop open the beers, get the Barb going and light the firecrackers. When you think about it, it’s all very telling how we decide to celebrate – we explode things into the air. We pollute our bodies with beer and bad food. Hell – it’s just good old fashion fun right? I’m not saying not to do this. I’m sure I’ll be partaking. But, maybe, just maybe, we can spend the following day reflecting on how we can make changes in our own life that will get us healthier, bring more happiness to ourselves and others and just slow down our minds. The world is going too fast. We need to get off the rollercoaster and relax. We need to decide what kind of life we really want to lead. Maybe all the junk that we think we want is really more of a burden. Remember the more stuff you have the more time you have to take to guard it, clean it, or repair it if you want to even enjoy it.
So on July 5th, the morning after, let’s make a vow to ourselves to make some quiet time. Turn off the tv, cell phones and your minds. When we slow down our minds, we can start hearing the 60,000 thoughts that explode in our heads everyday. When we slow down our minds, we invite spirit in who can help us see the irony of it all, in a humorous way. Spirit can guide us to make better choices. Spirit is the light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s invite it in, and not turn it off or destroy it. When those firecrackers explode or you see the flames from the grill, let it remind you about the light. The real light. Keep in mind what it’s all for. And if you’re not sure, that’s a good beginning. And remember, just like the fire in the forest – it’s necessary. Happy Birthday.