The Collective Tides - An Ode to the New Year

If you are attuned, then you understand that all of us humans are connected - we are one. Perhaps this is a fact you have learned by experience or maybe even just from a book, or your yoga teacher. But, what does it really mean? And is it just us humans? 

To be together as one is to be a system. To be together as one is to be each individually affected by the other - decisions and actions bouncing off one another constantly. 

I believe in and have experienced in my own way, this “Oneness.” I see that it is an interwoven Being among not only humans but all creatures and plants and the Earth itself, alllll the way out to the neverending Universal landscapes. As above, so below.. They say. Whoever “they” are. 

They might as well be the One within us all. 

Take a look around you. What do you see? Take a look within you, in whatever way that means to you. What do you see? 

To encourage another to really look and see… that is my intention with most of what I write. I want to share with you what I see so you can see it . I see the so-called “ecosystem” within each cell of my body… and yours. And the dog’s. And the tree that stands firmly in its place but seems to lean in sometimes, as if to tell me a secret. The ecosystems grow larger as my awareness is pulled back outside of my body, into the Being that is me, this vessel that carries my true Self through the world. 

There is another ecosystem here; parts working together, most of the time in synchrony. Each organ has its role in this collective human creature. Each almost separate but not really. If one begins to struggle, so do the rest. This body is a garden, a forest, the ocean.. 

And then there is me. Or what I call me. This human, walking the Earth, making choices. Being. I am a cell in the collective creation of life. You are a cell, too. I am you and you are me. When I hurt you, I hurt myself. When I love myself, I am able to love you. 

Maybe this is all making sense to you. Or maybe you’re like, “what the fuck is she talking about? I’m out.” And that’s okay. As long as I leave an ember inside of you that might grow into something larger as it swims around in your consciousness. 

As the year 2020 closes, I’ve been thinking about what that really means. Today is December 31, 2020. Tomorrow will be January 1, 2021. They are both just days though, right? There won’t be a dramatic shift towards goodness all of a sudden. How could there be? 

I have an answer for that. Yes, they are both really just normal days. BUT - as a collective consciousness and Being, we have all (for the most part) decided that this particular shift from one day to the next means something big. While it does signify some sort of complete circle around the sun, there is also a spike in our collective consciousness. A major attitude change occurs and we are collectively relieved. It’s one of those rare moments when there seems to be a mass inhale after holding our breath for so long. 

What I’m saying is - things do not change because the numbers on the calendar change. They change because there is a decided moment of intention setting and letting-go interwoven into our collectivity. Even if you don’t give a shit about this shifting tide, there will be change. 

What I’m not saying is - everything will shift to be wonderful and comfortable and easy. 

We have a lot of work to do. That is true. There is plenty of learning and unlearning to be done still. To move with the tide is important - the tide that feels and is filled with good good good, even if it requires the work of changing habits, letting go of what is no longer beneficial, or uncomfortably opening up so you can grow.

CAUTION

As George Harrison says in his song entitled “Beware of Darkness” - 

“ 

Watch out now, take care

Beware of falling swingers

Dropping all around you

The pain that often mingles

In your fingertips

Beware of darkness

Watch out now, take care

Beware of the thoughts that linger

Winding up inside your head

The hopelessness around you

In the dead of night

Beware of sadness

It can hit you

It can hurt you

Make you sore and what is more

That is not what you are here for

Watch out now, take care

Beware of soft shoe shufflers

Dancing down the sidewalks

As each unconscious sufferer

Wanders aimlessly

Beware of Maya*

Watch out now, take care

Beware of greedy leaders

They take you where you should not go

While Weeping Atlas Cedars

They just want to grow, grow and grow

Beware of darkness

“

*maya - the illusion of the phenomenal world - paraphrasing from Oxford Languages

And let us not forget to put our feet in the dirt, hug and listen to the trees, say thank you to our Mother Earth for caring for us and providing for us even when we are not kind - she won’t forever if we continue to be blinded by greed and desire.

If you’ve never spoken with a plant before, I highly recommend sitting with one for a bit. Talk about whatever is keeping your heart heavy - in your mind or out loud. Whatever makes you feel less awkward. Most importantly, listen. Listen with your innermost being for the language spoken with no words. 

Remember we are all connected. The deepest roots in the Earth and the birds highest in the sky.. It's all working together. You are part of this too. It’s a necessary coming home. 

With all the love, I will see you there.