“The eye with which I see God is the same eye with which God sees me.” Meister Eckhart
Recently, my soul has been rejoicing even through the hard times. Even though it appears that everyday the news can deliver something else to instill fear and sadness into our lives, I am also overjoyed with the wonderful stories about the resiliency of human beings, and the compassion and generosity of strangers. In the tragedy of the recent Humboldt Broncos bus crash, I have seen the love and compassion of strangers gather around the families affected. In fact, tragedy often shows us that we are all affected by each other’s pain and that we are all bonded in love.
Or, take the compassion of countless strangers every day who help those without a home, a hot meal, or a friend to talk to. There are so many people embodying love and peace even in the midst of fear and sadness.
We weren’t made to live in fear and sadness.
It’s true, the world has its fair share of suffering. No honest person can look around and ignore the immense amount of pain that so many feel. But this isn’t where the story ends. There is also much love, joy, peace, and light. It’s important to give our attention to that which we want to see in this world. Focus on the beauty that surrounds you. The birth of a child. A flower materializing into existence. A friendship discovered. The understanding that we are all “made of star stuff” as Carl Sagan is so famous for saying. Be the miracle in someone’s life, be the solution to a problem, be a helping hand for someone in need. Be the leader in your life. Be the person with integrity. Practice commitment, honesty and accountability. When we allow ourselves to draw closer to God and to our true self we all draw closer to the human experience.
We were created to be victorious.
The key to our victory is not in continually striving for more or accumulating more things than our neighbour. The secret to victory is to realize we are loved — just as we are today. In a world that seems so determined to divide us, we need to wake up to the truth that we are all connected. Indeed, we are all one. Not only are we all united because we are all human beings with the same innate wants, needs and desires but we will all end up the same way, dead. Why waste time on earth being judgmental and hurtful, when through the sacredness of humanity, we are all connected through the deep love of God?. We need to realize that we are whole because of the unconditional love of God. We are all God’s children, and we are all brothers and sisters. Only when we begin to comprehend the interconnectivity of all things will we realize the love we can truly have for one another.
Contentment and gratitude are not a product of getting more, buying the newest thing, or accumulating an excess of wealth. Instead, pure joy is dependent upon us realizing what is worth holding on to and what isn’t. Love, forgiveness, grace, and gratitude are all ways of living that can help create the world we want.
Over the course of my time in spiritual development, I have noticed a few things that can help us live in victory over our lives:
Love
We need to have love for God, whoever your God is and the people around us, and ourselves. What good are financial gains and career success if we don’t have love? Truly, what good is a big bank account if we are spiritually bankrupt? Practice compassion for yourself and others to increase the flow of love in your life. Also, let those you love know that you love them.
Joy
Joy is often the product of our love for one another. When we sow a life of grace and gratitude, we will reap joy and happiness. Remember— joy is infectious. The moment you start smiling, it’s likely other people will, too. Increase the feeling joy by watching the sun rise and set. Or simply appreciate going to sleep on freshly clean sheets, with freshly clean pj’s. That always makes me feel joy.
Peace
Peace is what we can expect when we live a life of love and joy. Peace doesn’t mean that our lives are absent from all troubles. In fact, it means something bigger and better. Peace means that, even in spite of the trials we go through, we are grounded in the love of God and God’s love for us. This love then pours out of us and into the lives of other people. Living in a sacred and beautiful way is what creates peace. Increase the feeling of peace in your life by spending time in nature or listening to music that makes your soul sing.