Reconnecting

There has been a hole in my life for the past several years. Back in the BC (Before Children) time period, my first real job was working with emotionally disturbed children in a group home in Iowa. Because of social media, I have been able to reconnect with people from various periods throughout my lifetime. My whole lifetime has been covered with one exception: friends that I worked with in that group home. Within the past week, I have finally been able to make that reconnection, and it is quickly proving to be a very profound experience for me.

Working in that group home was the most stressful job I have ever had. The majority of the children were hyperactive. Couple that with the abuse and neglect most of them had suffered and you come up with some of the most challenging sorts of people to work with. The turnover rate is extremely high, but there are a few people, like myself, who have the strength and courage to stick it out for a while. It is easy to become close to your coworkers in such an environment. The shared stress and the teamwork involved in the process naturally brings people together.

I also credit these particular individuals with helping me get through one of the most difficult periods in my personal life. The birth and death of my first child, Arielle, occurred during this time frame. The fact that most of my friends were counselors and social workers who were empathetic and strong enabled me to talk about my feelings and resolve all the conflicting emotions inside myself much more quickly than I would have if I had average sorts of friends. 

I went into that job wanting to contribute. I had done some volunteer work with that same population while I was in high school, and it seemed to be a good fit. I always assumed this career field would be my particular path--until life got in the way. Children, divorce, and single-parenthood all contributed to re-evaluating that choice. The jobs I had after working in the group home all felt like jobs I fell into instead of jobs I felt called to do. Twenty-five years later, it still feels the same. Until now.

Upon reconnecting with some of these former coworkers and friends, I was finally given some big pieces in my life's puzzle which bring clarity. Although they accepted my friend requests, I wondered if they remembered me. It has been a long time. One of them I asked specifically. She came back with something to the effect that "Of course I remember you. Your compassion and love for our work was above and beyond."

As I look back at my life, I understand something truly profound. What you do in life is not nearly as important as how you do it. Even though I fell into my job as a preschool teacher because of my need to work and my desire to still play a large role in raising my own children, it wasn't haphazard or worthless. I did a good job taking care of and teaching my young charges. I know I impacted the lives of others in positive ways as I still run into many of my former students, who often give me hugs and tell me what is going on in their lives today. My current job as a sales associate at a department store is the same. So many customers tell me they appreciate my patience and kindness. Even though the work is often tedious and mundane, the ability to reach out and help my fellow humans ultimately makes it much more worthwhile. 

I know now why I have been trying to reconnect with these particular friends for so long. Once again, I am able to see my entire life from a whole new perspective. Although my life has not gone according to plan and I have not impacted people in the ways I expected to, the people whose lives I have touched are better for it.

I am reminded of the Mother Teresa quote:

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.

It is the little things we do every day that make profound impacts on the world. Reconnecting to this lost piece of my life has helped me remember. Clarity is a beautiful thing.

~CSE

  

Make Voting Matter!

Some of us are still under the impression that our votes actually count. I used to be one of them--until I fell down the rabbit hole. The more I looked for answers, the more likely I was to find corruption at the highest levels of government. The memes I had been brought up with--things like "The United States is the most democratic nation in the world" and "The Constitution's checks and balances keep the government from going out of control"--were acceptable until I began questioning things. Those questions broke down the foundations I had built my world on, leaving my world in shambles.

Florida's hanging chad fiasco during the presidential race between George Bush, Jr. and Al Gore of 2000 highlighted for many people the fact that our system of voting was highly flawed. Between the black boxes of electronic voting and scandals involving uncounted absentee or provisional ballots, there are many ways those with power can artificially sway a vote.

Only We the People have the power to change this! We first need to recognize the need to diligently stay on top of the voting process to ensure it is fair and everyone's voice is heard. Then we need to stand watch to hold those in charge of counting votes accountable for their actions. We need to literally stand over them and monitor the counting of paper ballots. We need to veto the use of any computer system that relies on "proprietary" software that excludes the ability to look at the computer code to see if it has been tampered with to switch votes.

If we do not hold those in power accountable for their actions, they will continue to manipulate and control us in ways that erode our personal freedoms and power. We have the power to change our world for the better. We just need to be willing to be active participants in it instead of trust power hungry fools to rule us.

Make voting matter! Stand over the vote counters and make sure your vote is counted! Otherwise, they will continue to lie to us and place their puppets into power.

~CSE

T.E.A.M.

The Power Of Naps!

I have a definite fondness for naps. Part of my appreciation for them stems from my time as a Pre K teacher. My home state of Georgia uses its lottery earnings to fund a free Pre K program for students all over the state. Because students are only 4-years-old, lawmakers required an hour rest time to be included as part of the school day.

Needless to say, most of the kids did not appreciate nap time even though quite a few of them still needed it. As I observed them before and after nap, I could see it often made a huge difference in how they handled the rest of their day.

The older I get, the more I enjoy naps. Not only do they rest my body, but there is a component of naps that also nurtures the soul. Naps allow you to break away from the physical world and connect to the quiet, where God and Oneness dwell.

Take the time to take a nap! You may just discover the pieces of your life all begin to fall into place!

~CSE

Nothing Can Separate Us

Most days I feel very separate--separate from others, separate from the world, separate from God, and at times even separate from myself. I know I'm not the only one to feel this way. It shows up in the sadness that surrounds us in the world. 

I shouldn't really be surprised by this state of affairs. From the moment of our births we are taught to identify with our culture, our religion (or lack thereof), our politics, our genders, our sexual orientations, our talents and skills, etc. We learn there is a "right" way to do things and a "wrong" way to do things and it is important to stand up for what is "right" and "good" and "pure". Separation is built into the system because it forces us to look at our differences and judge them accordingly.

What often escapes our notice is the fact we are all connected through the energy of our hearts. Our hearts don't see differences. Our hearts feel a need and immediately rush to where our help is required. It is when we set about the work of following our hearts that separation no longer exists. 

Whether you actually believe in God or a universal power or a higher intelligence is not important. What is important is to be aware that we are all connected to each other and every other thing in the world through our hearts--through love. When we choose to follow the guidance of our hearts, we arrive in those places where we fit and where our gifts and talents can do the most good. We are connected in very real and positive ways. 

There is no separation in love.

~CSE

     

It Is Not About Building A Wall

An open letter to Donald Trump

Dear Mr. Trump,

You've gained a lot of popularity with your talk about building a wall to keep people from illegally crossing the border into the United States. I understand the desire to address safety concerns regarding criminals and terrorists being allowed free access to our country. I also understand wanting to limit the number of people who come here illegally and tap into what are now the country's very limited resources. We have a hard enough time providing for our own needy people. That said, let me be very clear. These problems will never be solved by building a wall.

Addressing the real issues involves asking better questions. Instead of asking, "How do we keep undesirable elements out of the country?" we need to ask questions like, "Why are people trying to enter the country illegally in the first place?" The difference in these two questions will determine whether Americans can come together to fix their own problems or continue to be mired down in the muck, the root of our problems untouched and growing.

I know why people desire to come to the United States. Many people hold the belief that the United States is the land of freedom and opportunity. On certain levels this is still true (although the past thirty+ years have brought more limitations to freedom and opportunity than I would have thought possible).

This brings to mind another even more important question: why are conditions so bad in other countries that they risk leaving their homes to try to find better lives for themselves and their families? This is the issue at the root of our problems. This is the issue that needs to be addressed.

Mr. Trump, you may not see this as the US's problem, but let me assure you it is our problem. Why, you ask? It is our problem because the United States has caused conditions to be bad in countries around the world.

Let's take a quick look at Iraq and Afghanistan. US military intervention in Iraq goes back to George Bush Sr. and Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. At the time, Iraq was accusing Kuwait of drilling sideways/at an angle to tap in to Iraqi oil reserves. I don't know that this is true. I don't know that it is not true. Considering the techniques they have perfected in more recent years to obtain shale oil, Kuwait might have been guilty as charged. US intervention in Afghanistan goes back even farther to when the USSR was trying to invade it to plunder its vast natural gas resources. Both instances were justified because America is all about policing the world and making sure democracy and freedom reign supreme. (At least that's what the citizenry are told in order to make sure they support whatever actions our military takes overseas.)

Are either of these countries better off today than they were back then after literal decades of US military intervention? The answer is a resounding "No!" They are still at war. People struggle to survive everyday life. Poppy fields and the heroin drug trade still thrive. The region is a breeding ground for terrorism as the people attempt to reclaim control of themselves and their resources.

Who has benefited from these police actions? Multinational corporations who profit from war--weapons manufacturers, food and supply companies, etc. Corporations who seek to control natural resources (oil, natural gas, minerals, etc.). Banks, who plunge countries into fake debt by promising much needed infrastructure that is really only put in place to provide for ease of military action and export of the country's resources and does absolutely nothing to help the people who actually live there. The debt does, however, make those people debt slaves.

The Middle East is not the only area of the world our multinational corporations control. Most of Africa, large portions of Asia, and pretty much all of Central and South America are included in such takeovers. Natural resources are controlled by corporations who subjugate the people in their quest for never-ending money and power. Life for these people is difficult at best. Under such circumstances, who wouldn't want a shot at an easier life?

Our military should not be used so that multinational corporations profit. Our military should be defensive only and not for our allies either. Our allies need to develop and/or rely on their own defenses and not expect us to go fight their battles. If they want our help, they need to be willing to bear the cost of the action and pay for our services. The bottom line is, the United States of America needs to stop interfering in other countries around the world. We have created worldwide problems that people want to escape from.

Mr. Trump, it is not about building a wall. It is about enabling people all over the world to control their own destinies. It is about allowing them the space they need to create abundance and prosperity. When they have what they need to lead healthy and productive lives in their own countries, they will have no reason to raid ours.

Sincerely,
Cindy Shippy Evans

 

       

My New Theme Song

I have been obsessed with the song "Glorious" by David Archuleta in recent days--especially the version as performed by the One Voice Children's Choir based in Utah. Not only is it a beautiful song, but the frequency it inspires is amazing!

The funny thing is, it is only after I began paying attention to the words that I began to understand why I have been so obsessed with it. David uses the metaphor of a symphony to explain how every one of us has a part to play/sing in the grander scheme of life.

"Glorious"

There are times when
You might feel aimless
And can't see the places
Where you belong
But you will find that
There is a purpose
It's been there within you
All along
And when you're near it
You can almost hear it

(Chorus)
It's like a symphony
Just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start
To figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece
And there are melodies
In each one of us
Oohhhh, it's glorious

And you will know how
To let it ring out
As you discover
Who you are
Others around you
Will start to wake up
To the sounds that are
In their hearts
It's so amazing
What we're all creating

(Chorus)
It's like a symphony
Just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start
To figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece
And there are melodies
In each one of us
Oohhhh it's glorious

(Bridge)
And as you feel
The notes build
Higher
You will see

(Chorus)
It's like a symphony
Just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start
To figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece
And there are melodies
In each one of us
Oohhhh it's glorious
     ~David Archuleta

May each and every one of us be able to connect to the music in our own hearts so we may begin creating the world of our dreams!

~CSE