At times it may appear that humanity has indulged in self-entitlement and continuous insatiability. We often hear the question, “What has happened to human kindness, to overall wellbeing, to generosity and community spirit”? The recent Australian landscape of destruction, which has instilled confusion and fear has been felt by people of all ages. Throughout this time of tremendous upheaval, displacement and loss, we also hear stories of courage, bravery, resilience and an incredible faith. Themes of community sharing and active, empathetic concern for others arise. People reach out to one another and reconnect. This practice, or ideology, cannot be learnt theoretically. It is innate and normally characteristic of people who reside within a community.
Catastrophes, such as the fires we have witnessed over the past weeks, can and do connect people and bring together a sense of wellbeing, such as never before. People cast aside their grievances and resentments and join one another in compassion and kind-heartedness. Tolerance and selflessness rise to the surface and allow us to connect with who we really are. Any shift in consciousness that permits us to think more generously about others can only be a gift. One that can even adjust our view of what a difficult situation really is.
But why does it often take such tragic circumstances for us to step into our big-heartedness? Our generosity of spirit? Our kindness and unquestionable support and goodwill towards others? When a disaster hits, nobody says” That is not my business”, or “I do not want to be involved”. We all step up and lend a hand in whatever way we can. The wellbeing of a nation becomes our business. We simply do not question this.
Cultivating the ability to see things with new interest, and noticing what we allow our minds to focus on can lead the way to develop a new mindset. We begin to create a new life that enables us to express the very best of who we are and to connect with our ‘primal’ nature. The power of benevolence overflows and is willingly shared.
Consequently, in our lives, our relationships and our casual encounters, we can live and practise respect, courtesy and honesty. We can embrace opportunities to be generous and believe in the value of our practice. We can create occasions to step up when it may feel more comfortable to back away. We can become interested in our neighbour’s, our peers and other people’s well-being. We can release people from our hidden agendas and we can regularly question our personal assumptions.
As we find a sense of joy, the wellbeing of the world becomes our business. We live our life on purpose. Purposeful action and generous wellbeing will most certainly increase the power of our Peaceful Heart. Does this idea interest you?
Yours in Therapy, 2020.
Jill Bayly.
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