I love the water.
Whether I am by the ocean, at a lake or near a pool, I will make every opportunity to swim along the shore, across the pond or lake, or do laps, back and forth, back and forth. I am part fish.
This morning, a couple of hours into a day surrounded by dozens of leaf blowers and mulching machines, and god know what other noise makers, I fled my property to the local Y and pounded out lap after lap.
I wanted to stay at home and do the work that I’d planned but I had to let go of that idea. While swimming, I was reminded of the statement released by the Hopi Elders in 2001.
Now that I've found and re-read the statement, I am posting this again. Because… with my schedule thrown off, with the heinous, incessant noise (a huge trigger for me), after spending so much time trying to counteract the noise with earplugs, leaving the property, trying to settle elsewhere, I was a miserable human being. I was miserable to myself and to my fellow swimmers and locker roommates this morning. Well, not miserable exactly, but not very friendly. I was not feeling good about anything, the state of the world, anyone else, myself. Furthermore, I was turned around, confused, worried about falling behind.
But in these words, I’ve found solace, wisdom, comfort, course correction. The answers and instruction is all right here. The whole thing is relevant and helpful but, on a personal level, these two lines stand out for me today:
“At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves.
For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.”
Here it is in toto--
Whether I am by the ocean, at a lake or near a pool, I will make every opportunity to swim along the shore, across the pond or lake, or do laps, back and forth, back and forth. I am part fish.
This morning, a couple of hours into a day surrounded by dozens of leaf blowers and mulching machines, and god know what other noise makers, I fled my property to the local Y and pounded out lap after lap.
I wanted to stay at home and do the work that I’d planned but I had to let go of that idea. While swimming, I was reminded of the statement released by the Hopi Elders in 2001.
Now that I've found and re-read the statement, I am posting this again. Because… with my schedule thrown off, with the heinous, incessant noise (a huge trigger for me), after spending so much time trying to counteract the noise with earplugs, leaving the property, trying to settle elsewhere, I was a miserable human being. I was miserable to myself and to my fellow swimmers and locker roommates this morning. Well, not miserable exactly, but not very friendly. I was not feeling good about anything, the state of the world, anyone else, myself. Furthermore, I was turned around, confused, worried about falling behind.
But in these words, I’ve found solace, wisdom, comfort, course correction. The answers and instruction is all right here. The whole thing is relevant and helpful but, on a personal level, these two lines stand out for me today:
“At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves.
For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.”
Here it is in toto--
To My Fellow Swimmers
You have been telling people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour.
And these are things to be considered…
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for your leader.
This could be a good time!
There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.
They will try to hold on to the shore.
They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.
Know the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river,
keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.
See who is in there with you and celebrate.
At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves.
For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves!
Banish the word ’struggle’ from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
—Statement of The Elders, Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Nation, 2001
