I don't know about you but I'm still reeling from the impact of Sarah Everard's death, as well as the repercussions it, and the police response, have had on our awareness and conversation around womens' place in the world.
And straight on the back of that, we are now trying to come to terms with the anti-Asian hatred which manifested in yet another mass shooting in the US.
These follow the #metoo and #blacklivesmatter campaigns of 2020, all with shared values at their heart - equality and respect.
Part of me is relieved and energised that we are no longer accepting these atrocities but are creating movements for awareness and change. Another part of me feels that we will just continue to cycle hopelessly from one shocking revelation to another, without achieving real revolution.
What will it take for the world to change? For real and meaningful equality to be experienced, lived and honoured between all humans.
In the big picture, on the global scale, it needs policy change, radical societal evaluation, and deep rethinking of all our interpersonal structures.
On a personal level, I'm not saying anything new, when I say it starts within. Any change that we wish to see in the world around us must begin with awareness and radical honesty and integrity within.
Through the work that I do with people online and in the water, I see that we are very often not aligned within ourselves. We have desires for harmony, balance, respect, acknowledgement and love in our communication and relationships, personal and professional. And yet we are unaware of how few of those qualities are actually present within our communication and relationship with OURSELF.
How many of us criticise, diminish, judge and even abuse ourselves with our internal chatter?
How many of us wish that we looked different, more like the picture-perfect (heavily photoshopped) images forced on us by the media?
How many of us say damningly critical things to ourselves, that we would never dream of saying to some of our worst enemies? And on such a regular, casual level?
Behind harmony, balance, respect and acknowledgement (let alone love), lies acceptance. Before we can cultivate any of the deeper, nourishing emotional states we wish to receive and share, we must find acceptance for what is.
My work helps people to find just that. My life, my personal journey, is all about cultivating that within myself. And doing my best to share it with whoever reaches out and crosses my path.
I know it's not easy. I'm failing every single day. But I remain conscious of always trying to do my best. Which includes being gentle with myself when I fail.
One of the best modern teachers I have come across to guide us into acceptance is the incredible Byron Katie. If you don't know her, you should, and I strongly advise you to spend some time this week digging into her work, called The Work.
You can download her tools via her website and I find her app brilliant to get guided through sticky situations and emotions.
There is always a calm place of acceptance to be discovered beneath the mess of my reactions, emotions and resistance. And as Rumi said, that's a place where we can really meet.
Some of you have spent the past three weeks with me on my Serenity, Courage & Wisdom Challenge, which boils down to the same thing - let's focus our energy where it has an impact - ourselves - and let go of needing to control the universe and fix every wrong.
Of course if fixing some of these bigger wrongs is your passion and your calling in life, then I say 'thank you' from the bottom of my heart, and ask you to guide me and tell me what I can do to support you and those you aim to help.
If you're doing the big work out in the world, or simply wish to work on your inner landscape to make it more loving, accepting and wholesome, later this week I will be opening up an opportunity for everyone to dive into an inner exploration of their own physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health with me. It includes a fun Deep Dive Quiz, followed by a FREE one-hour Discovery Call.
Interested? Keep your eyes peeled in your inbox...
For a few lucky and committed people, it could result in a year long journey together....
I look forward to walking together, meeting in that field, and getting our hands dirty with this important inner work,
Much love to you and yours,