elegant aspirations

As the pandemic reveals issues that were previously unseen or ignored, the pain affecting cities and hearts across the country offers important insights into who we are as a society. The spread of COVID-19 has shown us that we are all interconnected; what happens to one of us affects us all.

Currently, as we face multiple challenges and hardships, we need to be mindful that while many of us may have open hearts for the suffering of others, we also often experience insecurity and fear in the face of disruptions to our daily lives.

Each of us has a shadow side that can be triggered by basic survival instincts. This inner voice operates from a mindset of scarcity, warning us that resources are limited. It tells us that if someone else gains power or succeeds, it will take away from us, leading to our own suffering. This reactive and closed mindset has contributed to many of the world’s problems, creating unjust structures and systems that oppress others for the benefit of a few.

Ironically, as we witness current events, it becomes evident that the opposite is true. Supporting systems that keep others down in order to benefit ourselves creates a world that is increasingly painful to live in. A society built on injustice will inevitably reach a boiling point, compromising our safety and security and having a detrimental impact on our quality of life—physically, economically, and spiritually. Regardless of our individual power, the quality of our lives becomes increasingly eroded. It is a lose-lose situation.

We all have the choice to make our world a better place. This is most clearly illustrated by the uplifting sight of police kneeling in solidarity with demonstrators, in stark contrast to the devastating images of force and brutality. By recognizing and putting aside our need to control others, and moving beyond our fear of their power, we can empower others to be their best selves. Each of us possesses unique gifts, and it’s easy to see how much better our world would be if everyone had the opportunity to operate at their fullest potential. If we encourage and support one another, our lives will improve.

We are living in a time of significant change and historical importance. Let’s leave our mark on history by coming together and empowering one another to do better, be better, and create a better world for all of us.