Ripples In The Pond

I recently shared a post and video on LinkedIn and YouTube, about how to think of things when the world has gone crazy.

In many ways that's what it feels like now.

There's the on-going war in Ukraine and atrocities that have been part of that.

There's the uncertainty and paralysis in Washington DC now that the Republican led House of Representatives doesn't have a Speaker of the House, which is because the former Speaker was voted out of office by his own party after only about 9 months in that position. This is the first time in U.S. history that a Speaker of the House has been voted out of office. As of this moment, no one in the House of Representatives has enough votes to become the next Speaker. So, a lot of things aren't getting discussed or voted on to keep the government functioning well.

?Then too, there's the war between Israel and Hamas that just started but has already claimed a total of over 2700 lives and there are an estimated 150 or so people from Israel and other countries who are being held hostage by Hamas. The non-Hamas Palestinians of Gaza are likely to pay a heavy price for Israel to defeat Hamas and hopefully rescue the hostages.

?There's the rise of anti-Semitism around the world, and here in the U.S. This brings back painful memories of the Holocaust.

?As a society around the world, and especially as people of the U.S.A. we tend to think that these sorts of things can no longer happen. We usually believe that the hatred and ideals that fuel the blood lust that is being seen in various places had been eradicated.

?Have the Palestinian people always been treated kindly, fairly and with justice by Israel? Sadly, no!

?Are there people in the U.S. who feel left out, put down, marginalized, who believe the world is changing too fast and they want things the way it used to be (whatever they believe that was)? Obviously.

?Are there people who feel entitled to power, status, rights that they believe they're not getting and so are trying to grab that power by force? Yes.

?With all of this going on around us, we can easily feel powerless to change things, feel numb to the images of war and destruction that we see daily on all the news outlets and social media, and feel confused by the various reports and information that flood these places..

?For anyone who is a person of faith, any faith, where there's a higher power (God, Spirit, Universe, etc.) who cares deeply about us, here are things we Can do:?

-?????? Pray, in all circumstances. for God to help and for those in danger to be safe.

-?????? Examine your own beliefs about other people. Are there those you don't like? Why? What's underneath your response of dislike? What are the deeper beliefs you hold about that person or group? Are those beliefs really accurate?

-?????? Listen to those who hold views or have a lifestyle that is different than yours. Listen to understand, not to argue, not to judge. Listen to see life from that person’s or group's perspective.

-?????? Find things that you are grateful for every day, even in the worst of times. There are always things to be grateful for and focusing on them will transform your feelings and attitudes.

-?????? Share your gratitude with others, don't just think your gratitude..

-?????? Journal about your gratitude

-?????? Take time to be out in nature, or at least take a walk and get some fresh air.

-?????? Don’t sit and ruminate on how bad things are. Do something positive every day, especially if it’s something that benefits someone else or part of creation.

?Prayer and gratitude have the power to transform us, and the whole world.

?You are NOT powerless at all.

?You, as an individual and as a group, create ripples in the energy of those around you. You may feel like just one small pebble in a bond, but when that pebble is dropped into the pond, it creates ripples that go far beyond itself. You and I and the people who we choose to be around have the opportunity to bring about positive change, starting now. This is not for us to leave up to those in government, business, the military, our faith leaders, or whoever we feel is ‘important’ and in power. Each and everyone of us is powerful and important in this life.

?Claim your power to have a positive and powerful impact on your family, community, and way beyond that – to the whole world. You create ripples. This means you change things. When our ripples are combined, we even have the power to change the direction of a river of hate or war.? Most of all, our ripples can change our own and other people’s lives in powerful and positive ways.

?You are a ripple, a powerful force of love, grace and gratitude. Your ripple is needed now more than ever.

?Blessings,

Pastor Kathleen Panning (host of: The Tilted Halo)