Hold Out Your Hand

The Simple Act of Attention

Empathy naturally leads to compassionate action. But simple inattention kills empathy, let alone compassion. So the first step in compassion is to notice the other's need. It all begins with the simple act of attention.

Daniel Goleman, “I Feel Your Brain”

When someone sees something wrong or someone who appears hurt, the common reaction is to ignore the situation or the person because people do not want to get involved.  This is the inattention that Daniel Goleman talks about.  

Our ancestors always reached out a helping hand to those around them.  It was the right thing to do.  It was the best way to survive.  That has changed to an attitude of self interest or selfishness. 

We are not surviving. 

Many blessings to you this day,

Judy

A Prayer For Being Grateful

 I was walking through the park, and my thoughts turned to the idea of being grateful.  I am grateful for everything, even the tough things that challenge my faith in a compassionate world, filled with love and laughter.  I heard someone say, very far away, “Take it back to the basics!” 

Immediately, I knew that meant that one needs to be grateful for all the basic things in life – food, shelter, clothing – all the things in Maslow’s needs hierarchy.   And then the Angels, in their mysterious way, directed me to this wonderful prayer.   

I share it now with you.

 

May We Be Grateful

We are blessed today, with enough to eat,
May we be grateful.
We are blessed with clothes to wear,
May we be grateful.
We are blessed with shelter from the elements,
May we be grateful.
We are very well blessed today.
May we remember that there are many people
who do not have these blessings.
May we be grateful enough to help others when we can.

Copyright Abby Willowroot 2008

Many blessings,

Judy

Never Give Up

Healing words from the Dali Lama:

Never Give up 
No matter what is going on 
Never Give up 
Develop the heart 
Too much energy is spent developing the mind 
instead of the heart 
Be compassionate 
Work for peace 
and I say again 
Never Give up 
No matter what is happening 
No matter what is going on around you 
Never Give up

One of the commonalities between many of the very old traditions, that is, before Christianity, is the spirit of perseverance.  What I am seeing as I meet people over the last six months is that sense of despair and of having given up.  

As I expand my sight to see what is really going on, I see that the despair is borne from the disparaging words from others – others who tell them that everything is awful, or that they’ll never get it right, or….

The picture that I see is that others around them cause the person’s sense of desperation and defeat.  Living to the words of others rather than what is in yourself is truly the way to losing your way.  

I love the words from the Dali Lama – Never Give Up, No matter what is going on around you!

Many Blessings,

Judy

Elephant Power

Several years ago, I was at a conference where a very fascinating lady, called an Animal Whisperer, gave a talk on how we in the audience should be treating all animals as sentient beings.  She said that each animal had a role to play on Earth, and that humans interfered with this natural talent all the time.  She then told us the story of the Elephant.  She was headed to Africa to do some workshops.  As soon as she made the arrangements, she started to dream about a large tusked elephant, in the wild, that wanted her to come and see him (in the wild).  When she got to Africa, she made arrangements with a guide to take her to the place to meet the wild elephant.  She sat on the hood of the jeep and waited.  The elephant arrived at late afternoon.  The following information comes from the wild elephant as he told the story to the Animal Whisperer.

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Elephants were charged with keeping the rhythm steady for the beating of Mother Earth’s heart.  When the world was new, and there were lots of elephants (and whales), this was an easy task.  Now, however, the Elephant has fewer and fewer members of the tribe that can do the work that is passed down through elephant memory.  

Elephant is now looking for other ways to fulfill its commitment to Mother Earth.  Nightly, Elephant walks in Dream TIme, looking for humans that will walk with him and the others in the herd, and learn the ways of the Elephant.  Elephant is not just about being strong; it knocks down trees, and has pushed railroad cars off the railway tracks – it is about being smart and remembering.  Elephant looks for people that are compassionate and kind.  They look for people that have a strong sense of duty.  There is power in having a cause and sticking to it.  Elephant may come to you tonight, or the next night.  

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Welcome him or her, and ask how you can help.  You will become part of Elephant Power.

Many blessings,

Judy