What Can I Do?

Often, when we are observing the world around us, we feel overwhelmed by the problems we see that feel big and even insurmountable. Although many of us are good, kind, well-intentioned people we often feel like we as a single individual are powerless to make a difference. There are of course many examples of men and women throughout time who have single-handedly changed the course of history through their discoveries or inventions. But today I'm focused on the small, but impactful actions we can each execute every day, that collectively, make a big difference. Here are some ideas:

• Smile and offer a kind word to your grocery clerk, restaurant server, car washer, dry cleaner, a child, or neighbor. Such kindnesses can ripple out far beyond that one individual, and may indeed be just the boost that person needs at that moment.

• If you are a meat-eater, cut out meat one or two days a week. This is good for the environment and good for your health. Make choices that support meat producers who are committed to humane practices.

• Don't litter.

• Recycle. Even if your efforts are rudimentary, and the recycling processes currently in place aren't perfect, less waste is always good.

• Support food rescue through a local non-profit with your wallet, or by volunteering. This is an excellent way to prevent food waste and is a great way to feed the hungry and reduce land fills.

• Send intentional thoughts of healing and caring to those who are suffering, whether they be a friend going through a tough time, or a country under siege. Never underestimate the value and power of intentional loving thoughts.

• Be a good example to your children and other young people in your life, of kindness, generosity, equality, and acceptance of all people.

Here's to the creation of a better world, one small step at a time.

www.cherylenniscoaching.com

Re-defining 'Fine'

I read a lovely essay the other day, written by a woman whose husband was dying of a terminal illness. At one point during a conversation with her husband, he tried to reassure her, saying "everything will be fine - actually, everything is fine." When she protested, he said, "you just have to change your perception of fine".

Now, that might sound like an invitation to ignore, sugar-coat, or put a happy face on a pretty awful situation. As I thought about that concept, however, I realized that he was absolutely correct. Everything in our experience is fine. We are all experiencing life in a way that is perfect for us. Of course, in our limited understanding, it is hard to agree that what we think of as really terrible life events are fine.

Whether we are personally experiencing some particularly difficult life situation, or witnessing the suffering of others, it can be hard to accept that in the great, infinite, perfect 'All-That-Is', everything is indeed precisely as it should be. Each experience and event is in fact the exact thread required to weave that particular swatch of the cosmic tapestry. We can have faith that our experiences are 'fine' precisely because that is what has unfolded in our experience.

When we look at our lives through the lens of eternity, we realize that each moment of each life experience is a part of a perfect expansion of an infinite universe. In the eternity of our individual soul, we are constantly growing, learning and expanding, and no experience is final. We are all contributing to the eternal perfection of the perfect One, of which we are all a part. From this perspective, we are all fine.

Cheryl

cherylenniscoaching.com

Growing Through Adversity

We have all experienced what we would call adversity at one time or another in our lives. Some of us have experienced one or more very traumatic events or circumstances that led to pain and suffering.

I too have experienced traumas both minor and severe throughout my life, and I'm now blessed to find the beauty in what has been born from these events and life situations, especially over the past several years.

Adversity led me to seek and find several different spiritual and energetic teachers and authors, through whom I have developed a deep understanding of living a life of surrender and acceptance of what is. This allows me to be at peace when challenging situations arise, especially when there is little I can physically do to change or influence the situation.

I'm certainly not "there" all of the time. Like everyone I have my days, but for the most part there is an acceptance and peace with whatever is happening outwardly. Also, in this mindfully present state, I am much more likely to think clearly about next steps, and to relinquish any attempt to control the uncontrollable, which can only lead to suffering.

I am eternally grateful that the long and often winding path of my life has brought me precisely to the place I am in now. I am enjoying this journey of growth and spiritual expansion. And I especially appreciate that I now have the ability to serve others through the understanding I've developed.

Wherever you are today in your life's journey, I wish for you the growth that comes from living all of life's adventures. And I wish you peace in the acceptance of what is.

Cheryl

www.cherylenniscoaching.com