Celebrating Life

by | Dec 14, 2017

It’s my birthday month. I’m a few years shy of the big six-o. My birthday is not big news and rarely do I call attention to it, but this year feels different.

Upon contemplation, I realize that this year my birthday feels to me to be about otherness. Meaning, I’m feeling the intersection of all beings, and feeling inspired to give rather than to receive. As in, the giving is receiving, and receiving is giving. Despite a phantom list of all of the problems happening in the world, our country, my home, my work, my family…I live a blessed life. (I use the word phantom as a way of noting my view of problems. Problems can just as easily be seen as openings for change, for love, for clarity, for taking action. If you are curious about seeing problems from another vantage point, make “problems” your object of exploration. In a crucible kind of way, problems catalyze new possibilities. How can that be a problem? J) Good fortune surrounds me and fills me. I enjoy more food, material goods, leisure time, intellectual pursuits, healthy activities, meaningful work, and treasured relationships than 99+% of the people walking our earth. On my birth, I had good fortune that has continued to bless me. With each passing year, I recognize the depth of my good fortune, the choices I have made, and the motivation that has held me, clearly highlighting the truth of our collective well-being, or lack thereof.

It feels challenging to celebrate when our environment is suffocating from human pollution, unconscious behavior and lack of care. The vitality of our waters, earth and air is depleting. The very beneficiaries of these nutrients are destroying nature’s life giving essence.

It feels challenging to celebrate when new government policies are severely skewed to the self-interests of those voting in favor of deplorable policies and rules.  I’m distressed that supposed servant leaders have morphed into egotistical power hungry self-grasping leeches. Their actions, limited to benefitting the few, have widened the chasm of “us and them.” The polarized and tension-stretched rubber band is poised to snap. The hit will be fierce and it seems like the cascading aftermath will be ugly. Crowds will be left pointing a finger outward when in actuality, the events are pointing toward a mirror. We are all in this together.

It feels challenging to celebrate when I read the newspaper or listen to the news and another act of violence has left innocent people dead, wounded and with life-altering trauma. How is it we have come to a period in our history where mass gun shootings feel familiar and the initial outcry fades quickly like the outgoing tide?

My celebrating life message is not meant to be dreary. But the truth of present reality is the gateway to celebrating authentically. Life is begging us to open our eyes, our hearts, and our minds, in order to see clearly and where we fall short in nourishing her and where we are causing harm. When we see clearly we are able to act with intelligence, precision, and purpose.

The times feel challenging, and a challenge is a call to action, not resolution. Life doesn’t get resolved. We do not come to a conclusion wrapped in a bow. Life co-exists and co-creates with us. Life is asking for us to take action with our hearts, and move toward something better.

There are three causes that I have chosen for donations for my birthday. If you are moved to give in celebration of Life, please follow the links below the descriptions that follow for my picks, or feel inspired to research a cause that speaks to your own values.

Testing the Waters is the inspiration of Pranav Shikarpur, the son of a longtime friend. I am inspired by the ingenuity, creativity, intelligence and “generativity” of our next generation. The collective impact of this innovation has the potential to benefit the world. Testing the Waters is one of twenty projects selected to represent India at the Intel ISEF Science Fair in 2018. Polluted waters are widespread in Pranav’s native land in India. He and his partners have developed a portable prototype to easily test the purity of water (lakes, ponds, oceans) for public use. Their innovation gives evidence to support necessary actions to clean up the polluted waters and provide clean water for Life. Links to more information and the opportunity to donate are found below.

http://www.testingwaters.co.in/

http://m.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/from-a-robotic-arm-to-an-app-that-senses-bumpy-roads-young-minds-showcase-innovations-at-the-iris/article9967411.ece

To donate: https://www.impactguru.com/fundraiser/help-testing-waters

TreeSisters is an organization founded by Claire Dubois, “committed to the creation of an evolving system that learns as it goes and continually models itself upon the flows and forms of living systems. Her aim is to reclaim balance, to revel in freedom and health and to be a ‘walking permission’ for those who are fed up of being held back, and just want to have a go.” I was inspired by the engagement and authenticity of Claire as I experienced her presence, care and wisdom at Emerging Women 2017 in Denver, Colorado this October. As well as by Claire herself, I am motivated by the generative mission of the organization for the planet and all people.

TreeSisters exists to elicit collective responsibility for planetary restoration at the grass roots level with a focus on women and tropical reforestation. We are growing a global network of women who donate monthly to fund the acceleration of tropical reforestation as an expression of collective planetary care.

To donate and learn more, follow this link: https://www.treesisters.org/

The Ocean Clean Up attends to the vital waters of our earth and all the beings that dwell in the oceans by cleaning up the world’s oceans of plastic that have entered the ocean from human consumption. From their research, “a significant percentage of this plastic drifts into large systems of circulating ocean currents, also known as gyres. Once trapped in a gyre, the plastic will break down into microplastics and become increasingly easier to mistake for food by sea life. The Ocean Cleanup is developing a passive system, moving with the currents – just like the plastic – to catch it.” CEO and founder, Boyan Slat says, “for society to progress, we should not only move forward but also clean up after ourselves.” I couldn’t agree more.

To donate and learn more, follow this link: https://www.theoceancleanup.com/

As you read and reflect on the above inspirations, you may notice a common theme. I am moved that they each benefit the greater good, the collective, and all beings on earth. Happiness, authentic happiness, comes from realizing we are all in this precious life together AND connecting that realization with kindness in our thoughts, words and actions.  Do you recall these gentle sayings – given during vulnerable learning places in your life?

What goes around comes around.

Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

When you point one finger out there are three fingers pointing in.

The Gift, the Giver and the Receiver are all the same.

May these reminders be an inspiration to you and your actions. Even if you are not able to give monetarily, you can be generative in your actions. A few suggestions follow:

  • Eliminate use of plastic (straws, bags) and use only recyclable material.
  • Establish powerful intentions with clear actions to be earth friendly.
  • Plant a tree or water a public tree in the city.
  • Read – articles, real news and studies about our planet; be informed about planetary sustainability.

Celebrating, my birth and yours,