Hide and Seek
l am neither Christian nor Jew, neither Magian nor Muslim;
I am not of the East, nor of the West …
I have cast aside duality, I have seen the two worlds as one;
One I seek, One I know, One I see, One I call. ~ Rumi
One love, one heart. Let’s get together and feel all right. ~ Bob Marley
In my recent essay The Right Stuff*, I wrote about the Overview Effect, when astronauts gain a unique vantage point as they look back at Earth from outer space. Because of the largely visible total eclipse of the moon on September 27, we were fortunate to have the opposite experience — a momentarily unified humanity from all over the planet looking up at a single celestial body. The event was observed from more places and had more PR than any other in recent times thanks to social media, resulting in a live audience of millions all gathering to see a purely Universe-made happening.
Interesting timing, that Universe, having this somewhat rare phenomenon occur right on the heels and in the midst of major gatherings in the US over the past week or so, as New York City hosted nearly every world leader and thousands of visitors due to various occasions. This made for some pretty intense energy and an elevated focus on topics with substance and meaning — something more significant than obnoxious politicians with or without bad hair; voluptuous, vapid reality-TV sisters or wives with big lips and booties; or hypocritical extremists trying to take over governments both here and abroad.
As is the nature of these things, there is a lot of talk, but far too often the words are not backed up with actions, nor the integrity to follow through or practice what is preached. Corporate and world leaders make promises to play nice and do good business, then shake hands for the cameras; the Pope pontificates about peace, justice and charity; the NGOs sincerely say they want to change the world by eradicating poverty, empowering women and girls, and protecting the environment. There are lots of demonstrations made, goals declared and agreements reached.
One could easily become cynical, as many of the world’s problems persist and are rehashed in a recycled historical loop with the same players in different clothes. And this year, the particularly high-high of this confluence of events came crashing down like a bad hangover just days later with the harsh reality and news of scandals, secret meetings and airstrikes. What were we thinking?! How could we be so naive to think that anything would change?
Ever the optimist, I beg to differ. This time something did shift, something did in fact reveal itself — and it wasn’t the people doing the talking but it was within all of us, the people doing the listening.
If you watched speeches from people like Malala, Obama or Mandela (with Eddie and Beyonce!), you might certainly have been inspired, but it was that elderly man in the white garb and black Fiat who captivated our country and dominated the airwaves every day last week. Pope Francis provided what seemed like a huge drink of water in a desert of doom.
No matter your religious background — practicing or not, believer or non — journalists and jokers alike couldn’t help but find it refreshing to witness the continuously positive messages delivered to such broad and diverse audiences and media outlets over several days. They were a potent antidote to the usual — and especially recent — vitriol, hate, gossip and intolerance broadcast as news, and the increasing violence, betrayal and revenge we are offered and consume as entertainment. The quench of thirst was palpable on many levels.
As someone who is hyper-conscious and aware of this need in society, I found it profoundly encouraging and affirming that people from all walks of life were responding as they were to the pope’s words and actions, strategically staged or not. It proved once again how much we are deprived of and yearning for connection, compassion and hope. And whether or not you believe he is genuine and authentic, the superficial display had enough power to wake up so many who didn’t even know what they were missing and so desperately seeking.
Remember what themes spoke to you last week, what you and everyone around you innately responded to, and what was stimulated and stirred within: kindness, inclusion, healing, empathy. As the days go by, don’t have amnesia and instead notice the contrast when you look at new shows with titles such as Blood & Oil, The Bastard Executioner, Scream Queens, and lest you forget again: Blindspot.
SO, back to that eclipse. Did I mention what made it even more special was its reddish hue? Curious don’t ya think, since it’s the color most often associated with, and the essence of what we all crave: LOVE.
Looking for more than just a glimpse of goodness? Like the clouds here in the northeast that were playing peekaboo with La Luna, and cameras that couldn’t quite catch its full beauty and magic, perhaps that’s the lesson — to hold these fleeting moments, these unusual and unlikely spectacles where they belong: in our minds, and more importantly in our hearts as we move forward, knowing we don’t need to look outside ourselves to people or institutions to find what we are looking for.
We can be the leaders in our own lives and choose “the better angels of our nature” to create the world we want in our own sphere of influence. So give me a buzz and I’ll help you come out of the shadows and form your Global Goals for 2030 and beyond!
(*Originally published via my PGG Newsletter October 1, 2015)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Looking for a great tool to create a positive mindset through any challenges at work or in life? It was so thrilling to find out how a client uses my book Say It To Make It: Affirmations to Empower Your Heart, Mind, Spirit and Soul. He let me video him talking about it, which you can watch here, and you can purchase your copy here :)
Get essays like these delivered to your mailbox as my PGG newsletter when you join my mailing list at the top of the link.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kristina Leonardi is a nationally recognized career and life coach, speaker and author who for over 17 years has empowered individuals to make lasting professional and personal changes aligned with their true passions and talents while fulfilling their role in the world at large.
With a holistic and personal growth-oriented approach, she has helped hundreds of men and women improve their job performance, enter or re-enter the job force, change careers, better manage their time and stress, and live happier, more meaningful, balanced lives.
Her specialty is working with people who feel stuck or are in transition and can help you clarify exactly what you want to do, identify blocks, issues, and patterns in your way, and offer proven ideas, resources, and action steps to get you there.
CLICK HERE FOR KRISTINA’S LINKTREE
Get essays like this delivered to your mailbox as my PGG newsletter
Click here for info about Kristina’s coaching and speaking services
Follow on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter for up to date posts, helpful articles and inspirational thoughts. Slowly building my YouTube channel so you check that out and subscribe too!
Check out my books Personal Growth Gab:Personal Growth Gab (PGG) Volume One: Thought-provoking, inspirational and entertaining essays to keep you connected to yourself and make sense of this journey called Life and Say It To Make It: Affirmations to Empower the Heart, Mind, Spirit and Soul both available on Amazon.
If you like what I write, you’ll love what I have to say in person!
Click here for info about my coaching and speaking services
Click here for some testimonials from past clients
Click here for a video that explains some ways in which I can help you
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Read over 100-star “Yelp” style reviews here
Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:
15 Candles |All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | A Decade of Doing What I Do | Express Yourself
