All We Can Do Is Share Ourselves
So many of us believe that we have to do something. We have to take action in order to make a difference in the world. We must have a higher purpose, a mission, a profound calling. And while action certainly has its place, it's really *how we are* in the world that makes the difference.
Consider this: if you are at peace with yourself, you are already making a difference. We can donate money, or send aid, or volunteer at a shelter, but the first thing we must do is take responsibility and stock of our own path of consciousness. If we come into harmony with ourselves and vibrate from that out into the world, we are the de facto change.
It's not about the magnitude. It's not about the grand nature of the contribution externally. If we gather up all the parts of ourselves and love them, that love becomes contagious. The ripple effect of this kind of energy is tremendous -- in some ways more profound than all the external contributions that have ever been made. Because the more we are at peace with ourselves, the more our collective energy will shift, and anything that stands in the way of peace and tranquility will have no choice but to end or dissolve.
That's all there is left to do. Once we have embraced all that we are, once we've come into a place of peace, all we can do is share ourselves. Give ourselves away. Give ourselves to as many people as possible. We will no longer be seeking to become complete by rescuing others, because we will realize that we are already complete. Then, love is the only thing left.
Tonight, as we turn out the lights, let us know that a day will come when we will be called into contribution. We will know when it happens. We will recognize it. We won't wonder if we should or shouldn't, nor will we question our motives. We will simply -- with grace and dignity, and fullness of heart -- do what needs to be done.
Panache Desai is a contemporary thought leader whose shares messages of love and self acceptance. He is on the faculty at Omega Institute. The excerpt above is from his first book: Discovering Your Soul Signature
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What does 'sharing ourselves' mean to you? Can you share a personal experience of a time when you came to such a place of peace that you were moved to share yourself? How can we develop ourselves to find such a place of peace?
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40 Past Reflections
On Sep 26, 2014 lfm wrote :
This morning, I showed up at my doctor's office for an annual exam (that had been scheduled a year ago) only to learn sometime in this past year my doctor needed this time rescheduled. (I neglected to "erase" in my calendar!)
(Things always happen for a reason, I figure!). As the receptionist apologized that I had made "the trip" for nothing, I was already thinking what God might have me do in the neighborhood I was in.
After one stop at a nearby Shopko Express, I was on my way to dressing up a dear friend's front porch with a basket of fresh Fall Mums (yellow).
Never "waste a trip", find a way to share yourself where you are!
Love and blessings . . .
2 replies: Mish, Savitri | Post Your Reply
On Aug 17, 2014 Rebecca McCarty wrote :
A young man walked past a row of holes along the roadside, at the end of them was an old man, sweating in the heat and getting dirty, slowly digging even another hole. The young man, concerned for the old man, asked "why are you digging out here in the sun, aren't you too old to be doing this kind of work?" The old man pointed to a bundle of walnut trees, healed into some wet sawdust, under the shade of a bush. "I'm digging these here holes to plant those walnut trees." The young man commented "But why, use up your energy doing such hard work? You might hurt yourself... those trees won't come to bear nuts for twenty or so years, will you even be around to enjoy the fruit of your labor?" The old man, paused in his digging, and turning his full attention on the young man, responded, "I'm not planting these here trees for myself", he said, "I'm planting them for posterity." At that the young man, rolled up his sleeves, and said, "Here, I'll help you."
3 replies: Beth, Kristin, Claire | Post Your Reply
On Aug 16, 2014 sana mehmood wrote :
Its really good, and i think everyone need it today.....
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On Aug 14, 2014 brinda wrote :
Reminds me that HOW we are in the world matters. And that it shows up in every ounce of our "doing". If your "being" is full of generosity, open-heartedness, then it will manifest in whatever you "do", large or small acts are filled with that essence of you.
2 replies: Kristin, Always | Post Your Reply
On Aug 14, 2014 Claire wrote :
Thank you for this. After decades of believing that I had to 'help' the 'other,' I came to see that I cannot help and there is no other. I can be as clear and connected to my own being with whatever is going on, and that is a practice. From that there may be a flow in the direction of being present with those I may encounter in all kinds of ways - which are as simple as standing next to someone in the supermarket line, connecting or working in a job/ volunteer role where there are helpful asks to perform. It is such a relief not to have to think about obsessively rescuing any longer and not just a relief for me either!
4 replies: Claire, Mish, Nimal, Claire | Post Your Reply
On Aug 13, 2014 Beth Hinman wrote :
For me, finding the place of peace inside myself seems to begin in the midst of "trouble." There will be something that's disturbing me, and almost without noticing how I got there, I will suddenly wake up to myself inside and become aware that my inner dialog is angry, judgmental, unhappy. Yet - that part that "woke up" in the moment, knows to send love to me, to the parts of me that are upset about "something" in my world. And, when I "get" that love, when the upset parts of me sense its presence, they relax. And that relaxation is something magnificent to me - it is peace. It comes into me through me from another place. For me, poetry is a way to explore this and a beautiful tool for bringing myself into a place of peace. Thank you for all the gifts you share through these weekly e-mails : o )
1 reply: Nimal | Post Your Reply
On Aug 13, 2014 Pam wrote :
The words that resonate with me more then 'do what needs to be done' comes from Byron Katie 'follow the simple directions.' Some possible action comes to my mind and I just follow the direction. It helps to be aware of possible motives of mind which I find by questioning thoughts which arise such as I need to do this, I have to do this, If I do this then they will... Actually what works better (for me) to start is to question He/she shouldn't be doing this, He/she hurt me, He/she is stupid, lazy, etc. or the famous one, He/she is wrong ;-).
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On Aug 12, 2014 Jyoti wrote :
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On Aug 12, 2014 Jagdish P Dave wrote :
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On Aug 12, 2014 Deepak wrote :
Sharing myself for me means that I share my inner most thoughts coming from the core of my being , they may be of my happiness , my joys or even my fears , of all the experiences I have gone through my life . while sharing am at at peace with myself and also am constantly aware while sharing of my ego . There were moments in my past , when the fear was too great , for me to share my experiences or my life , however as having been walking my path , experiencing the roller coasters in my life , learning my lessons , this fear has gradually become smaller and smaller , till it has ceased to exist and have moved on . Today I can share fearlessly and peacefully without any inhibitions .
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On Aug 12, 2014 Mish wrote :
This is profoundly true & I often need this reminder to keep me knowing "I am enough". Grateful for this share here.
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On Aug 12, 2014 Ani wrote :
4 replies: Nimal, David, Smita, Joann | Post Your Reply
On Aug 12, 2014 Nimal Hapuarachchi wrote :
Sharing ourselves means, doing nothing. Then we are doing everything!
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On Aug 12, 2014 Murlidhar Dhyanlok wrote :
To me 'Sharing ourselves' means sharing the inner happiness. We all want to share something with others. We wonder what to share and with whom to share. Many a times we struggle to get right persons with whom we can share our feeling and emotions. When we over come this struggle, sit quietly and began the inner journey we realise the inner happiness. Meditating on the Divine light in side, spreads and connects us with the whole universe.The happiness automatically spreads effortlessly. Harmony with self spreads in the family. A happy family makes a happy society which builds a happy nation. It makes the whole world harmonious and happy. Let us meditate and make the world happy, peaceful and harmonious free from war. Meditation is the solution.
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On Aug 11, 2014 Meena Kendale wrote :
To me, sharing ourselves means the expression of ultimate unconditional love. In that there should be no ego left, no separation from the other, no expectation in return and no effort. It becomes so effortless, innocent and full of joy, that is your true nature. I think it happens when you have experienced that you are taken care of and all the struggle of wants and wishes vanishes into thin air and you repose in yourself, meditation happens.
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On Aug 11, 2014 Laura N. Sobell wrote :
1 reply: Handan | Post Your Reply
On Aug 11, 2014 Handan wrote :
Beautifully written...thank you:)
2 replies: Meena, Laura | Post Your Reply
On Aug 11, 2014 Kristin Pedemonti wrote :
"Sharing ourselves" to me means to share our gifts, our talents, our resources and our hearts with one another in small ways and perhaps in big ways, too. I believe we come to this place of peace by realizing we do not become depleted at all by sharing ourselves, in fact, we become more filled. I carry my FREE HUGS sign every where I go, I carry tiny bottles of bubbles to share; little kindnesses that go a long way. I "share myself" every day; whether sharing a smile, a hug, a listening ear, a compliment to a stranger or a friend, the list is endless. As a Storyteller, I use my vocation to share myself with others and serve others to share themselves. Stories are powerful ways we can connect heart to heart and open us to seeing the "sameness" in the other. Here's to sharing ourselves and realizing those "small" things we do become the big things.
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