Listening

The skies are moving toward storm, but today, it is peaceful and clear. The temperature is 46 degrees fahrenheit. Today is Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Amazing.

The first day of the new year has already passed and the calm of the last two days will be broken. More people on the streets, in the grocery stores, and in the various places where we have become accustomed to visiting in our daily lives. There will be doctors to see, libraries to visit, classes to attend, and everyone who is fortunate enough to have a job will be back to work. The new energy of the year will move everyone along into ... who knows.

Listening with all our hearts, not our ears will be important this year. This is a time when the capacity to move at our own pace, allow our awareness of things happening in the world to go beyond the media reports. If your energy urges a pause, pay attention. If your heart is telling you there's something very important to attend to, and that thing was not on your to do list, pivot. If your head feels it is about to explode trying to keep up with all the assessments of what things mean, move inward to learn what it all means to you.

This is a time to watch our sisters and brothers who are not here in the human form. The time to recognize our common interest in knowing how to survive, and even thrive, is what will keep us grounded. Does that plant need water? Does that friend need a presence without words? Do you see a need that is something you can meet with a donation of time, of things, of contacts that will make it possible to ease the struggle being attended to. Do you have capacity to attend to more than yourself? Some say the best way to help is to take care of yourself first. What is the level of "taking care" that you require? Is enough okay for you these days?

Watch this: As you engage with others and have time to hear what is being said, are you really listening? Not just listening to the worlds with the ears, but with your whole being - your body will be the instrument, telling you what is really being shared - beyond words. It is a very special treat when one can develop a way to listen beyond the words said or written - can you understand what is really being conveyed? What does your body tell you?

In these times, to know "what to do" next, one needs to hone the skill of listening – very deeply and very completely. Unless one is able to do this regularly, one will be swept up in the chaos of these times. Recognize those who care, those who have held onto that thread that keeps things clear, those who have sincerely worked to be in service to that which all of humanity needs in this moement. Let go of the rest. Listen with all your being.