I haven’t written a word since my last post three weeks ago.

I found I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. I was heartbroken.

My computer died three days after my last post, and with it so did several outlines for books, hundreds of photos, and many other items that I should have backed up and didn’t.

A week later my favorite eccentric, creative aunt died.

Three days after that, I discovered my debit card number had been hacked and used to purchase things I didn’t want and didn’t buy.

Then, the election.

It was, shall we say, a veritable pile on. I staggered along for a bit. Then, I simply collapsed under the weight of it.

“If we change our thoughts from ‘it’s too late’ to, ‘there’s still hope’, we might see some change in the world.” ~ Kellie Elmore

For several days, I could barely lift my head.

The result of the election didn’t surprise me. I’d seen the volatility, the anger, the hopelessness.

Nope.

What did me in, was realizing I knew people who voted for someone so hateful toward women, minorities, children, and the environment.

“Now isn´t the time to change yourself to fit into the world… you should be changing the world to accept you. To let you exist as you are, without being cut open and damaged.” ~ Alexandra Bracken, In The Afterlight    

And for days, I sat in my office trying to work, trying to think, trying to sort out what on earth I could do about any of it.

I am only one person.

What could I possibly do about such a desolate landscape emerging from the hearts and minds of my fellow Americans?

Make no mistake. This is our reflection.

All of it.

“There’s always a story. It’s all stories, really. The sun coming up every day is a story. Everything’s got a story in it. Change the story, change the world.” ~ Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky    

This morning I met with my Buddhist group and we discussed what it means to be happy.

We wondered how can we develop compassionate, willing hearts?

What can we do to help those who have lost their way?

One young woman talked about canvassing for Hillary in Appalachia – territory between Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky. She spoke of the desolation, the small pockets of humanity living in boarded up trailers, so poor that the only food in the house is cat food, in houses where no pets live. The jobs are gone, the storefronts empty, the only money coming in is government assistance.

How can we help them find hope?

These are the folks who need our care and compassion, no matter who they voted for.

I realize I have to step into my mission as a light worker even if the thought terrifies me.

I need to help heal the world.

I also know I have to own the disowned shadow we are all projecting into this stumbling, lost, hungry, and hurting society.

We are our brother’s keeper.

That shadow, that darkness, is ours.

It is the collective soul-print of this world.

We have to own it, pull it back to ourselves, and work to heal it.

Nothing ‘out there’ will save us from this spiritual work.

No other person – no matter what he or she might say about how they will ‘fix things’ – can do this work for us.

We will either ride the waves or we will drown.

The way out is within.

© 2016  Shavawn M. Berry All rights reserved

Please comment if the spirit moves you! 

I’d love to hear from you.