Peace In My Heart

Today, as I read the Daily OM for Aries (me) I was touched by the message that we can make a difference in the world, even if it's on a small scale. The message spoke of how we respond with compassion when we hear of the plight of another, whether it's someone nearby, farther away, or on the other side of the world. And how we feel burdened to help in small happenings and large catastrophic events equally, that our hearts are still filled with desire to help others.

This touched me because it's very true of me, even as I know of many people of whom it is not true. I won't assume it's simply because I'm an Aries, more likely it's a combination of factors, not the least of which include my familial birth order, who my parents were, and how they raised me. I know I have a need to help others, a desire to please, and that I feel things deeply. A friend was enduring a rough place in her life, and when she told me about it I began to weep. I felt so bad, as I wanted to comfort her, but there I was falling apart. She remarked then, "Poor Tapestry, you are the one who always feels everything so keenly." I hated that she was the one giving me comfort at that time, yet in fact, she is generally much stronger than I am all the time.

She's right, and in cases like that I wish I was better at keeping my distance and keeping perspective so that I can be of help. Being burdened by compassion for others is not always a gift, at least not in the sense we think of gifts. Yet, it IS a gift. To see the good in others, to love unconditionally, to care enough to reach out and help another soul on their life journey, this to me is life itself. It isn't something I can just turn-off like a light switch. I could no more harden my heart to the suffering of innocent victims than I could stop loving my son.

Another point in the message this morning was to suggest specific ways we may wish to help or reach out to others. There was quite a large paragraph devoted to assisting with financial aid, charity, time spent face to face helping, listening, doing for others. All of these things left me feeling a bit out of sorts. I'm not in a place at the moment where I can share financially with others, nor am I in a place where I have much in the way of time and energy to spare. What I do have must be guarded carefully and spent frugally so that I don't become run-down, unable to be of any use to myself or my family.

Finally, at the end of the message, the following words were shared:

When we hear of people in difficult situations, we can choose that moment to send some positive thoughts to them. It may not feel like much help, but it is something we can do at any time throughout our day. By turning your thoughts toward the creation of a better world today, you do make a difference.

And those words found my center, and resonated within me. That I can do. For those whom I know and strangers alike. For people in my family, my workplace, my hometown, and those who are geographically far away. I can make a difference. I can change the world, tip the balance of energy, and make this a better place for all of us.

And that brought peace to my heart.

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