This past year I realized that economic woes and ecological ones are two sides of the same coin.
They are a wake up call to a more fulfilling life.
[img]754|left|||no_popup[/img]So rather than talk about our blindly drowning in excesses on a personal and planetary level, I would like to share how I chose to respond to these planetary emergencies. I decided to observe the phenomena, learn from it, and then take meaningful action.
I began by remembering that all religious traditions allude to our having a mission on earth.
There is the Catholic Catechism’s “Why did God make you?”
Judaism calls us to repair the world through cooperation in social justice (tikkun olam).
Both the Vedas and Buddhism’s scriptures on reincarnation/karma exhort us to seva (service), as does the social project of Sartre’s atheistic existentialism.
New Age teachings remind us that we need to bring our light into this world to avert its implosion as in Atlantis.
In all traditions, as, too, in scientific findings on the psychology of authentic, lasting happiness, there is the call to be of service in some way, and thus find our fulfillment. I see this in the Christmas story: the invitation to a sweet acceptance of our circumstances and rendering service from that position.
With this understanding, I decided to write my personal mission/vision statement and live it.
It really works.
Reading it each morning, fleshing out how to put it into practice that day, and then reviewing my day each evening has helped me repurpose my life.
Living my mission has made my life easier and more fulfilling even as I render service in a variety of ways.
I have included it here to inspire you to create your own.
Mission:
Enjoy life doing good,
directed by
compassion and wisdom.
Live each day at one
With all of Good Heart.
Allow rays of healing love to
Radiate from my being.
When no longer in this body, be a Channel of Goodness & Wisdom,
helping all remember
that fulfillment is being at one in loving-kindness
with all that is.
In sum, 2009 found me enjoying more sun and fun, yoga and lifting weights, bike riding at the beach, and even relaxing with Netflix. No I am not retired. I love to witness couples fall in love again, so there is no way I can stop working. Yes, I did travel to Cabo three times, New York twice, Oregon and Northern California. Also, engaged in a major organizing effort that is succeeding to keep Big Oil from destroying our community.
Rather than go on about my doings, I would rather hear from you; and if you can make the Repurposing Mini-Retreat, Sunday, Jan. 10, from 2 to 5, I would love to reconnect.
How blessed we are to have these tools for fulfill the deep longings in our hearts.
To your joy and fulfillment in 2010.
Ms. DeBenedittis may be contacted at debenedittis@sbcglobal.net
