something is happening here

In 44 BC, the “Ides of March” became a turning point in Roman history, marking the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. Something happened when Caesar was assassinated. “Et tu, Brute?” Something is happening 2058 years later to us, too, my friends.

Did you ever have the feeling that you are in the middle of a turning tide, on the crest of a rising wave or standing in a changing wind? I have.

Everyday for a week now, I have found myself sitting in a circle of change. You know I love calling circle, but I did not call these. Last weekend, the One Earth Film Fest shifted the minds and hearts of 2300 Chicagoans. Together, we fell in love with our one earth, were inspired by stories of our fellow earthlings and dreamed of doing a better job of inhabiting this precious place we call home. On Monday night, I circled with souls actively hoping and planning a great turning. (Read Joanna Macy’s Active Hope and you’ll be ‘in the know.’ Great book!)

On Tuesday, I was part of a circle envisioning a more inclusive culture for River Forest. In and with the school administration. (This was a ‘pipe dream’ for me just a few years ago. Change. It comes.) On Wednesday, I was in circle with trained peacemakers sharing ideas for bringing restorative justice circles into our schools, part of a growing nationwide movement to create peaceful places for teens to share, shape and heal. Thursday, I paused to play mom and community citizen, relating one to one, determined to change the conversation to shift a stalemate that’s gone on far too long in my little town. I proposed a circle in the political arena. It was not rejected.

If I can sit in circle nearly everywhere I show up these days, I know for sure that “something is happening.” Connections are made. Necessary conversations had. Truths spoken, safely, sanely, in supportive circles. Hearts are softening. Talk is turning to dreams, away from despair and destruction. Minds and actions will follow suit. Something is happening.

On Friday afternoon, as they have for four years now, a circleful of teenagers sat at my table brainstorming ways to deal with pet peeves, hurt feelings, relationship issues. An ordinary day in the life of a teen? Perhaps. Or maybe their developing skills of listening for higher wisdom from an intentional group is part of the sea change coming. You won’t want to miss out. Catch a wave, sit in circle. All you need is time and space to slow down with some open-hearted folks to share a vision of being better, together. If we can dream it, we can do it. And maybe we can melt this mini Ice Age of the status quo and get onto the business of creating the new norm, peacefully.