TheZenof Trust Photo Courtesy of MSN Clipart
If you’ve seen any news lately, you might have noticed stirrings and unrest in the United States. It gives a whole new meaning to the term, “ugly American”. Perhaps, it’s not new for generations past, but for those of us alive today, I feel we’re on uncharted territory. It’s not apocalyptic ― but this type of collective unrest is a new unknown ― a wake-up call. It’s like we’re approaching a tipping point and now it’s critical, for me, to learn how to respond and discover what I feel?
In my lifetime, I’ve witnessed pockets of unrest across my country, some serious ― like in the ‘60’s with racial tension, Viet Nam and the assassinations of some of our great leaders. But this is unlike any I’ve seen in a long time as a result of this latest Presidential election.
Anger and hatred are showing up nationwide and, instead of an open ear to listen to one another, it’s finger pointing with the claim that I’m right and you’re wrong. There’s a sense of fear and panic that reminds me of how people reacted to the bank run in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
“So, what do I do?” I ask myself. For now, it came to me as TRUST ― another word that strongly sets the tone for 2017. Whew―this word carries a lot of weight and potential emotion and I don’t take it lightly, given what has come down the pike already and in the past 2 years.
What is trust, if not taking a leap of faith, when there’s no information to go by or definitive guidance? What do you do when it seems like the world is crumbling around you and you have to make immediate decisions? It’s like Indiana Jones stepping off a cliff when there’s no apparent bridge.
I thought this year was going to be different, as the days passed, that there wasn’t going to be a word or phrase given to launch me into the New Year. But then, with the election and inauguration, it came with strong feelings to listen and be open ― trust. This is not only from the voice of others but my own voice on the inside. It’s not a call to action but a pause to note where I’m coming from rather than reacting.
It says not to jump to conclusions ― trust. There may be something more going on than what can be seen right away. A shake up from what we’re used to as normal could help us decide who we are and what we really want.
I say these things as my own way of trying to process what I see happening in my country and understand my feelings. It’s like putting a lobster in water and slowly heating up the water. It doesn’t know it’s being cooked until it gets hot. Well, it’s hot and it’s time to . . . what?
I am now out of the daily grind of commuting and the corporate world, being retired. So, I’m removed from the personal interaction and connection of the contrasting joy and unrest. From a distance, I watch the news and read social media and I wonder how people can treat one another the way they do and be so bold about it. I wonder if this is what has been in our hearts, all along, and has been set free and allowed to surface ― no longer being restrained. We’re discovering what we don’t like and it’s causing conflict.
I’m having a hard time getting my head and heart wrapped around it. So, for now, I quietly trust in this moment. Opportunities for change and to awaken don’t always come in beautifully wrapped packages. Sometimes, they’re ugly. We’re living in the fire and it’s because these are things we have to acknowledge within ourselves before we can move onto the real purpose of living and why we’re here.
“When you lose touch with your inner stillness, you lose touch with yourself. When you lose touch with yourself, you lose yourself in the world.” ― (From the book Stillness Speaks. Copyright © 2003 by Eckhart Tolle. Reprinted with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA. www.newworldlibrary.com)
Now, I am wondering what it means and will I have what it takes to meet what comes. I hope so, if I allow myself to come from that quiet space and in this moment step back, breathe and trust. I see glimpses of light shining through and love coming forth, like sunshine after a severe storm. It warms my soul and I can only hope to help spread a little more love in these words.
Whatever we do, we can only do when we work together. We are one. God bless you all.
Pat from the ‘ol kitchen table
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Pat Ruppel
I believe you’re right that this is an awakening of sorts and that it has to do with discovering purpose. In the past, most people got their identity from work, family, church, and community. Now everything is so fragmented and changing so fast, we don’t know who we are. That can be very scary; and when people get scared, they often lash out. Your instincts to just breathe, trust, and spread a little more love are spot on.
Thank you, Meg. I’m so glad you understand and feel that, too. The times we’re living in appears to be crazy and fragmented, like you said. There’s also opportunity to launch into something much grander but we won’t find it in the ways we’ve looked before. God bless and happy you stopped by and shared your thoughts.
I too was reminded of the 60s and the turmoil through this election process. I think there is a lot going on that we collectively as a society didn’t want to see and acknowledge but now can’t avoid accepting the ugly truths about ourselves. I saw changes during the Obama years when racism reared it’s ugly head even here in the northeast People who openly talked about not accepting a black man as President.
Unlike the 60s we are a nation of politically under-educated individuals. With civics no longer required for graduation it’s not surprising. I think through the course of this current presidency we are going to have to face a lot more about our nation and trust is a great word to use to help yourself get through this.
Thank you, Lois, for your thoughts and comments. I’m having a hard time getting my head wrapped around what I see going on in the world today, especially in my own country. My heart is more compassionate and hopeful, though, and keeps me grounded.
It feels similar to the ’60’s, when there was a spirit of freedom and a fight to express it and that still remains. We were innocent in that era and hopeful with promises of new endeavors and ideals. It’s like we were blinded like deer by the headlights and got hit over the head with key leader assassinations and Viet Nam. Reality shook us to our core, I believe, and knocked us off course and we lost our vision. After that, it’s like we settled in on the status quo to recover some balance with getting jobs, marriage and raising our families.
Circumstances are different today but I see similar division within along with anger and hate. I also see a younger generation that has a caring heart, though their expectations and ideals haven’t been tested. I also see a lot of people who have found an inner light of love and strength to draw on that I think will make the difference this time. Lord knows how much more our world and planet can sustain. It just may be the tipping point this time.
We’re more than at the point of which Eckhart Tolle in 2003 speaks of in his book, “Stillness Speaks”:
Trust and hold on for the ride, my friend. God bless — all is well — see you at the other end. 🙂
The only way I’ve been able to wrap my head around it is to acknowledge that we have been drifting apart as a nation for years and this is the predictable outcome of that division.
The main difference I see between the 60s and today, aside from the assignations, is the fact that today we don’t have a vision of a future we want to have to fight for. There are many things we are fighting for with Black Lives Matter, Pipeline (and other environmental causes) in South Dakota, etc but what we need to do is come together to see that there is an underlying problem that we could focus on. In every situation Respect is what we want. Respect for the earth, respect for indigenous people or black people or women. If we could find away to come together with that one common goal we would have voices so loud that we could get much done. But first we need to stop defining ourselves as different from our neighbors.
I do trust we will get through this. I have to trust that. Can you imagine where we would be today if the 60s and all that turmoil had continued? I do think it will take a while and things may get worse before we realize how to find that common vision and make it happen.
My son likes to say that we are the 99 percent and if we could just stop letting ourselves be divided by race and gender we could overthrow the 1 percent because we simply outnumber them. While simplistic, he’s right, but how to do that is the question.
I hear what you’re saying, Lois, and agree that there’s great division — has been forever, it seems. But, I’ve also seen times when we’ve come together. There is a lot of good in the hearts of people and more common ground than we realize. I’ve always felt what is going on in our lives is a reflection of what’s inside of us. It’s a condition of the heart. Maybe, these times will be so crazy it will help us get there and see it . . . finally. Love you — hugs and keep the faith.
It’s good to look past the turbulence of what’s happening. To look deeper. I like to think of it as a cleansing and healing. It has to be done before the new and better ways of being can come in. Trust, breathe, send out LOTS of love to everyone and everything while we are riding through this storm. It will get better !
Thank you, Raili. It is good to look past the turbulence . . . easier to do when you’re not in the middle of it. I suppose. I agree that it is a cleansing and healing that we’re going through. Our planet knows how to do that naturally but it seems like humanity is stubborn and struggles with that. I like that you’ll be riding out the storms, too, with LOTS of love to everyone and everything trusting and breathing.
Pat, I came over to visit after all your comments on my “70” post. I visited your Facebook page to say thanks for posting it on your page. And then I read your very thoughtful, heartfelt piece here on “trust.” From the date, January 29, 2017, I can appreciate your feelings of concern for the unknown ahead. Even after these few months of the first 100 days, I think many of us have turned from the issue of “trust” to fear. Let’s pray for our country together. Phil
Thank you for stopping by, Philip, and sharing your heartfelt thoughts. I share your sentiments in how things have developed in our country in this presidency’s first 100 days. I would be fearful, if I only tuned into what appears our President out to find war (won’t be hard to find, for sure); but, something stronger on the inside quietly tells me to sit still and be patient. There’s a greater force at work here and is stirring on the insides of people not only in the US but worldwide.
There’s a quiet movement of love, unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in this magnitude before. There have been pockets of it before, but not like this, and what we see happening is necessary, as we haven’t been able to bring about change in other ways that have been presented to us.
I’m very guarded these days, like you, but hopeful in what I feel in my spirit. God bless and continue to hold your faith, love, be open and continue listening to the still, quiet voice in you, too, and all of us. Love and hugs to you and Geri. xxoo
First thanks for visiting and like … Names Ian .. Great post Pat will reblog later on my friends news .. Totally agree it’s time of change and this word TRUST is difficult having been a victim of circumstance so many times .. I learned one ‘ Golden Rule ‘ other people have to prove themselves before you can TRUST them and you must feel it in your ❤️ as then you know it’s that word of God .. God Bless ⭐️😊👍🙏
Thank you for stopping by, Ian. It’s a pleasure to meet you and I was happy to see you reblogged Philip Fontana’s post, “70”. It’s my turn to turn 70 this year and had to jump in and share some of my same feelings he talked about in his post.
I thank you for reading over here and sharing your thoughts on Trust. It’s a difficult topic and one which we’ve all experienced in our own unique ways. The personal stories people have on how they’ve arrived at trust in their lives has always interested me and the journey they take to get there. I think it’s something that’s always evolving and maybe we never completely arrive as we’re always changing and learning.
I appreciate you signing up as one of my followers and I look forward to seeing you back and hearing more of your story and what you think. Take care. 🙂
I shall return and totally agree with the part about learning I am a mere 63 and at 36 in the finance industry that took a lot of learning that even friends who l helped out of a mess including a homeless person soon taught me that giving too much does not show honesty and those that ask for nothing but are ‘ Poor in Heart ‘ from helping so many people and finding out what l found out are the ones l help today .. As they never say the need help but l can now see they do .. That was my learning curve …
Thank you, Ian. I can see where experience has taught you some things. Same here, maybe from a different perspective, but that’s the beauty of it — we all get there, in the same place, in our own time in the only way we know how. Would love to have you come back, give your thoughts and share more of your story.
Great post Pat. I have missed reading your blog. I don’t seem to get notified when you do post. I know I must be on your list because I do follow you. Are you still having problems with Word Press?
All we can do is hope for the best and pray. ☺☺
Hi Patricia — thank you for coming over and I’m glad you enjoyed the read. I see that you’re still on my list of followers and not sure if there’s still a problem or not with WordPress notifications. I’ve been working on it with them and they’ve had a lot of updates. Could be a combination of things but maybe it’s mostly that I haven’t written much lately. I’m hoping to get something out there soon and would love to hear if you get a notification or not.
Thanks a bunch for hanging in there with me and hope to talk with you again soon. You’re the best. 🙂
Happy to let you know that I did receive this post. I would also like to know if you are receiving emails of my blog posts.
I hope to keep receiving notifications and look forward to your offerings. Hugs.
That’s so good to hear. Yes, I am getting notifications on posts on your site at “The Writers Desk”. You’ve been reblogging a lot and I’ve stopped over a number of times and liked, though I haven’t always commented. Keep up the good work, my friend. You’ve got it in gear and it inspires me kick it up a notch and get it going. Thank you, Patricia. 🙂
Great! I will be keeping my eye out for your posts. Glad we had this chat and hope you have a wonderful rest of the weekend. xo
Woo hoo — thanks Patricia. So glad we’re seeing each other’s notifications in real time. Maybe those updates fixed things and it’s all really working now. Such a relief — can’t tell you how much that means. Whew! So appreciate your help. 🙂
Looking forward to your next post. Hugs.
Thanks Patricia. I’m working on it, as we speak. Actually, have started a couple of times but the words just haven’t been there in the way that I want. I think it’s coming together, though, this time. 🙂
I’m sure it is knowing you Pat. Keep on, keeping on. ☺☺☺
I will, Patricia, keep on picking away at it (so nice to see that you’re getting these notifications now — love it). Thank you. 🙂