Caring in the Eye of the Storm

In the last three months, I have survived three of the most stressful weeks of my 51 years, thanks to small everyday moments. Collectively, we have weathered scary and scarier 911 calls, managed mountains of heart-breaking stories, and sat in dozens of circles, bearing witness to trauma and triumph. I cherish:

    Extra seconds added to heartfelt hugs

    Moments spent savoring breath-taking sunsets

    Surprisingly sweet cards/texts from loved ones

They take my breath away and enable me to take the next breath. Moments of caring kindness have been my saving grace amidst this tsunami of tragedy:
    A barista’s artistic care making my latte
            The comfort of returning to daily chores
                    A hospital social worker taking time to tell me “all will be well”

Life is terrible and terrific, all in the same situation. As a result, I am convinced that we are here to care for each other in small ways, every day. Without the wake-up call of crisis, we risk staying asleep, missing out on opportunities to reflect our care.

Because crisis occurs, I can cherish:
    A letter from my sister to my son, protesting unconditional love and support
    An acquaintance taking time to listen and grant courage to my next step
    A heartfelt apology, thoughtfully delivered, healing an implosion of emotion

These are the moments I will most remember from these momentous times. While the hurricane of this political, economic and cultural shitstorm swirls its devastating winds, I find myself nourished in the eye of the storm by sips of calm, quiet care, the compassionate company of others, and a community waking up to act on what they care about most. What other way is there to ride these seas of change we’ve never before experienced and are neither trained nor equipped to sail?

In my darkest moments, I pray for my heart, for our collective heart of humanity, to expand its capacity for even more compassion, courage and caring and — I experience the magic of grace to loosen and lighten dark, stuck places. I am rewarded with:
              Second chances              New beginnings              Alternate possibilities

If we survive this unprecedented tsunami of change, I am convinced it will be because of our weaving together small sips of kindness, circling together to joyfully wake up to paradise amidst this hellishness, and connecting mighty moments as humanity comes together realizing its potential.

I am counting on it.

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