Pursuing Inspiration

Truth be told, I have a kind of addiction. There’s an element of existence that I’m hooked on and find myself seeking with an ever growing appetite. My quest to satisfy my craving is found in a never ending search for “INSPIRATION.” This desire has served as the backdrop of a lifetime filled with all other pursuits of love, purpose, and belonging... Yet, this particular appetite continues to require a constant refilling.

Our present times however, full of uncertainty and unknowns, presents a bit of a quandary: “How and where shall I find Inspiration in the midst of it all?”

As with other important questions about my life, the answer becomes clearer when I consider what the thing "IS NOT." In this case I know for a fact there's no inspiration to be found in holding onto very certain "limiting ideas" and then living out a response to those beliefs.

For example, I know for certain, there's no inspiration found believing the safety, security and well being of me and my family is of greater importance than the same needs of anyone else.

When I look to the model Jesus presented, he demonstrated an acceptance of those around him that had no hierarchy for considering some of lessor value or some more highly esteemed. His illustration presents us with a lens of "Universal Equality" in which to see our world. As a result, I find no need to elevate myself and my needs above those of other men and women.

I won't find inspiration thinking that since the existence of provisions that are needed to sustain me have become more uncertain, that somehow I must look to increase my ability to “defend” what provisions I currently possess.

Jesus dismantled the paradigm that suggests our "survival" was of utmost importance in this discourse in Luke 6:29, "If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. It's my conclusion then, if the population of the world I live in seeks to destroy its inhabitants in a scrum of individuals fighting to grab what crumbs remain, then I’m content to leave this life in order to enter the next incarnation, with a hope that renewed abundance awaits.

There's no inspiration found in looking to politicians to somehow save me or provide me a sense of calming reassurance.

I'm content with what I consider as an "Angelic Shield" that has provided a powerful covering thus far in my journey and I choose to trust completely that my overarching well being and the well being of those I love remains intact.

And so, to exist, to thrive and for my journey to continue as I seek to Walk In The Light, I must continue with Eyes to see, Ears to hear and a Heart to sense what INSPIRATION still exists - right where I am.

For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Luke 17:21

But what then? In the realm of seeking practical enlightenment, and in the midst of a Pandemic and World Health Crisis, how then do we find inspiration?! Especially the individual who clings to concepts of inner peace and spirituality.

I suggest look away from complexity and return to simplicity - in as many ways as possible. Start with this: Reside in the core values of the Enlightened Christ: Love, Forgive, Give Thanks, and Do Not Judge.

From this place, more specifically, from this "starting place" we can begin and we can ultimately maintain our Spiritual Sensibilities and find the inspiration we need.

Sources of Inspiration During Challenging Times - Even During Crisis:

Love.

How much more valuable is it now to simply love those around us, given what is now a precarious existence held by us all? There's no longer this "idea" that we should love and make our love known to those we care deeply for because, "You never know what can happen..." Actually, now we do know what can happen. The potential loss of our friend, our neighbor, our father, our mother, our wife, our husband, our son or our daughter, are all now very much more real. So we find inspiration in Love; In Loving; In confessing our Love; In demonstrating our Love. In giving our Love as if we had an inexhaustible supply.

And remember, at the core of this expression is the ever important need to firstly embellish such love upon oneself. Now is the time to look beyond those failings, those self criticisms, those regrets, and whatever else prevents - You - from accepting and most importantly loving - You.

Forgive.

It is no longer a cliche to share the muse, "Life is short." This consideration has become a bit closer to each of us.

As a result, what grudge do you hold as an outstanding charge against the account of another? What pain or loss is there now in wiping their debt away and no longer charging them with their offense. Speaking, matter of factly, there was NEVER a good reason not to forgive such a person. But, the reality is often, we're not ready. And by not ready I mean because the pain inflicted upon us, in whatever way, was a wound too deep. But as we know in the natural world, our actual wounds do heal up (physically), and as they do so shall it be that we allow healing of such wounds to take place.

Let go of it and simply drop it. You'll feel as is a weight is being lifted off.

Then - maybe - let us consider going to the next level and even telling the offender of our act of forgiveness. Why? Because we may be surprised of what offense we've leveled upon the one once held in contempt!

Finally, let us remember, in forgiveness, as in physical healing, scars remain. That's the nature of our existence. The choice we make is to cease from displaying the scar to others, reminding ourselves of it and proclaiming its existence and instead simply accepting the scar left upon us as we would any other physical feature we live and contend with.

Give Thanks.

Where to start? Oh here's one, "I'm still standing. I'm still breathing. I'm still near to those I care for. I still have food , shelter, and clothing."

Pandemic or not, we've gone off the rails on the degree of comforts we've depended on to further cushion our ever softening sensibility. How 'bout we start with, "I have no fever, and I need no ventilator to breathe!" Thanksgiving and an overarching, general spirit of gratitude is not an easy response to life even outside of crisis. Yet, this - the most basic spiritual practice - is readily at hand and we alone possess the ability to lower whatever the bar is for those things we've considered as "essential." Consider how much greater our pleasure and ultimate gratitude will be when we return to a time following the pandemic when we can walk into the home of a friend or family member, embrace and just spend time, or share a meal in public or see loved ones in person?

Do Not Judge.

In general, our concept of what constitutes "Judgement" has been mostly thwarted by a religious lens that views God as "a being" that exists to judge us or "stands in judgement of us," as would a powerful, masculine entity, standing with arms folded, shaking his head slowly in disapproval.

But if we listen very closely, it's quite possible some of us will hear the Universal Alarm Clock sounding off in order for us to... Wake Up.

Judgement represents our own, individual, never ending deployment of our personal measuring stick for whatsoever and whomever we believe is good or bad, better or worse. It represents our likes, dislikes, acceptance, and our disdain. When Judgement exists and negatively affects us, it exists beneath every one of the other three essentials needed for inspiration which I've shared are found in Loving, Forgiving, and Giving Thanks.

Please, don't mistake Judgement for employing "Discernment." I'm not suggesting "Become a fool." I'm suggesting, "Stop being foolish."

The measure you give to another being is the measure you have ascribed to yourself. And therein we return to the concept where we started - found in Love of oneself. We must recognize our own preconceived leanings toward acceptance of the those we view as more lovely or more skilled or more deserving - or more like us.

Easy? No of course not. Worthwhile? Why else are we here? When we find ourselves surrounded by a reality that leaves little hope, and where it seems we have less and less upon which to build upon, let us look to those things we still possess within our hearts and minds. Those things we may draw upon for inspiration - from within - found through Loving, Forgiving, Giving Thanks and ceasing our propensity for Judging others.

Be well. Live well.