When we hear “Ground Zero” the mind vividly recalls the world center trade bombing of 1993, but “Ground Zero” began long before 911. The Napa, California Fires; The Puerto Rico and Texas Flooding and major world crisis can all fall under this same category. Learning Gratitude from Ground Zero.
“Ground Zero” in 1946 described atomic attacks in Japan; in 1977 becoming an act of non-violence. Ground Zero is described as the personal point of the most severe damage or destruction. Ground Zero brings us to places where we see how little is in our control
Hmmmm, I wonder why it requires a catastrophic event (the point of the most severe damage or destruction) to generate the surreal stillness that leads to community, love and healing?
My theory and personal experience is that we won’t escape hardship, disappointment and tragedies. It’s true that “Persistence is resistance”, so there’s no use trying to detour, bypass or avoid these necessary feelings and emotions sometimes judged as inappropriate, wrong or worse sub-human behavior. I’ve found gems through distress. Life’s Journey is not a perpetuating smile cruising alongside joy with uninterrupted happiness and sexual delights.
History does not need to teach us every lesson. Wisdom, Education and Maturation can open up delightful, easeful ways to cultivate, arouse and awaken our conscious listening ears and open mind loosening Ego’s grip prior to the Godsmack or “Surface Zero” We choose how long to stay in the meandering. We can choose succession, flow and adjust course.
Human civilization is around 6,000 years. I see myself in every human. How long must “we” examine and research before we find our Ground Zero? This surreal, humbling corner that brings up full-on gratitude. Today, (this moment) I invite you to your personal “surface zero” in gratitudes, like indoor plumbing, flooring, appliances, walls, roofs and the almighty health.
I pray for a world full of close community, connection and nuturing love bringing people up in humanizing versus the dehumanizing that strips human qualities’ away (i.e. racism, categorizing or verbal abuse). I believe each of us has our own unique connection to our God (purpose) and we are all shining our heart lights together creating magic in wonderment!
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30-31
It is a time to Brave the Wilderness as so eloquently written by Brene Brown. You can find more about her book on her blog
I came across an article this morning yet again saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff” and this just feels like belly fire for me. I feel angst with raised shoulders and anger pouring through the keyboard saying, STOP! CHOOSE to sweat the small stuff especially in relationships (i.e. self, intimate, best friend, co-worker, etc.).
I’m a speaker and survivor of Scleroderma and all those (so called) “little” things piled up on an internal shelf until it broke and auto-immunity became my God smack!
The price increases when we aren’t listening… sometimes including your own health!
What previously happened when “something small happened”, internally I could “feel” yet almost immediately chose to overrode the body’s wisdom with this OLD saying “Don’t sweat the small stuff”.
Today, I strongly suggest and choose and address every bit of the small stuff; because in my experience it piles up! There is a way to be angry, sad, happy, despondent or irritated (etc.) with yourself or in relation to others without causing permanent damage to yourself or others by honoring and listening to yourself. The more you love your decisions, the less you need others to love them.
Ask yourself, How Do I forget about me? When Do I forget about me? AND the most important question is what am I willing to create something different instead? I want to share my visionary gifts and learn about your creative intuitive genius.
Check out Rory Sutherland’s Ted Talk and Sweat the Small Stuff
Another Great Little Book on Why “The Little Things” needs our attention by Andy Andrews
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection — Buddha