Hidden
It's too dark to tell what the sky will look like today; but the quarter moon and stars are out so it will probably be another beautiful day by the sea. The temperature sits at 54 degrees fahrenheit. Today is Sunday.
Last evening there was a gathering to celebrate the spring equinox - what a beautiful and hopeful time. It is a time when the whole planet, balanced in perfect alignment with the sun, allows all of us to experience the equinox at the same instant. That shared experience is hidden for most. There is hardly any chance to notice, unless you are lucky enough to celebrate with others to recognize the moment. The seasons are changing and the shift to spring welcomes a new cycle when days grow longer in the part of the planet where this continent sits. Life extends a feeling of renewal, of joy, of longevity.
Just like the planetary phenomenon of the change of season, there are changes in our individual lives that are huge and we don't notice until it's almost too late. We remind one another about how we experience the changes through the sharing of stories. And often, through the sharing of a meal. Last evening, sitting with a 90-year old, retired woodworking teacher and musician, it was a moment of realization and realignment and connection. His stories were magical, beautiful, tragic - and filled with love, "If you live long, there are some pretty amazing stories to tell." His face was still so lovely and clear - as was his mind.
We almost missed the chance of having this encounter. Feeling somewhat depressed and tired from weeks of deep doubt about where our world is headed, we somehow gathered the energy to make the dinner commitment. We were affected by the events in the world and almost called it off. But instead, we went and we hoped the food would be good. It was. And even more – there was laughter and good music, and good storytelling.
It shifted our energy and our perspective. It reminded us that there is something remarkable about encounters with others who look to be so different from ourselves. Yes, the story of another person's life will always be different from your own and then there is a beauty in sharing the stories. With just a little bit of stretching, a whole new portal can open to a world that was previously hidden.
If you haven't yet experienced something like this, then there are more commitments with others to keep (or create). The gathering is where you can find a way to open the heart, to find hope in times of trouble, and to stretch your capacity to explore the meaning of generosity. The sharing of stories is a form of generosity because you get a chance to listen. It's a different kind of listening. That is, to listen deeply, amidst the din of others opening their moments of discovery of themselves in another. These moments are another treasure to discover if you decide to get up and go - and share. What your sharing really is nothing but it is also everything.