When thoughts and prayers may not be enough

We live in a time of upheaval, confusion and great cruelty. It’s a time when sending “thoughts and prayers” is criticized as not enough. And it well may not be.

I write an inspirational blog but these days it’s been hard for me to write uplifting posts about the law of attraction, manifestation and maintaining a positive attitude when the news is filled with more and more tragedy on a daily basis.

Speaking for myself, I often feel angry and helpless. And I struggle to maintain a positive outlook. You may feel the same.

Is there a light at the end of this tunnel?

Many spiritual teachers say that what is good right now is that what has always been hidden is being revealed. What is toxic is finally coming out so it can be eliminated and healed. I hope that’s true.

Meanwhile, what’s the average person to do?

There’s never been a more important time for personal improvement, spiritual practice, forgiveness and gratitude.

Let your light shine. Do what you can where you can to let your light shine.

“Heal yourself and you heal the world.”

I’ve always believed that the positive forces in the world outweigh the negative. Why is there only bad news on TV and the newpapers? Because that’s what’s out of the ordinary.

Think about that. Most people are inclined to be helpful and kind. The bullies and murderers are the exception. So don’t let stories about them bring you down.

When darkness surrounds us, it’s hard to hold your vision, but that’s when we have to work hardest.

“Despair is not an option.” Senator Bernie Sanders

Psychiatrist Dr. David Hawkins figured out a way to measure the vibrational frequency of various organizations and people. He concluded that 87% of humanity lives in lower weakening frequencies. But at the same time,

“High-energy people counterbalance the negative effect of low-energy people. One individual who lives and vibrates to the energy of optimism and a willingness to be non-judgmental of others will counterbalance the negativity of 90,000 individuals who calibrate at the lower weakening levels.” David Hawkins in Power vs. Force.

Dr. Wayne Dyer, in The Power of Intention, says this about Hawkins’ work:

“The implications of these figures are immense for discovering ways of improving human consciousness… By raising your own frequency of vibration only slightly to a place where you regularly practice kindness, love and receptivity, and where you see beauty and the endless potential of good in others as well as yourself, you counter-balance 90,000 people somewhere on this planet who are living low-energy levels of shame, anger, hatred, guilt, despair, depression, and so on.”

So raising our vibration is our job now. The future is dependent on it.

Here are some tips on how to do it:

• Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, focus on what’s right in the world.
• Stick with a spiritual practice that will help you find your center each day, be it prayer, meditation, church or whatever.
• When someone says an unkind word, stop before you reply. Don’t lash out. Try to give a balanced response that will diffuse the situation, not escalate it.
• Seek upliftment: inspiring videos, articles, movies, books.
• I stopped watching TV news months ago. Seeing and hearing is much more visceral than reading the news, so you might want to cut down on TV news, too.
• Look for the good, be a helper.
• Be kind, be gracious, say, “Thank you” more often.
• Take action: Donate to causes you believe in. Write your government representatives to let them know how you feel. And VOTE!
• Practice extreme self-care: Laugh, dance, eat well, spend time in nature, exercise, meditate and breathe!
• Share only uplifting things on Facebook.
• Hang out with like-minded people and make sure the conversation stays positive. Instead of criticizing those you don’t agree with, find at least one good thing to say or else change the topic. Gossip lowers your vibration!
• It’s o.k. to let go of friends who are negative and critical, particularly of you. None of us needs that.
• “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Jim John

And we can also turn to prayer.

According to a Psychology Today study, outcomes vary as to whether prayer works when you pray for others. But prayer definitely helps the one praying:

1. Prayer improves self-control
2. Prayer makes you nicer
3. Prayer makes you more forgiving
4. Prayer increases trust
5. Prayer offsets the negative health effects of stress

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/more-mortal/201406/5-scientifically-supported-benefits-prayer

“It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.” Dalai Lama

Above all, don’t go to sleep, because that’s what the darkness wants. Be alert, be discerning, educate yourself.

Don’t hide, don’t go back to bed and hide under the covers. This is our time to shed light and lead the way.

“A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships were built for.”

“The fact is, we were made for these times. Yes. For years, we have been learning, practicing, been in training for and just waiting to meet on this exact plain of engagement.” Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes

May the light within shine so brightly

That your path is illuminated.

May all your obstacles be removed.

May we uplift and elevate all those we come in contact with.

Blessings to all, light to all, love to all.