I know in every cell of my being that human presence here (and now) is not by chance. It is an enigmatic existence in many ways, but one if I choose to be still and quiet for a bit, much is revealed to me how I can be of service to those about me to ease their path in the here and now and in the longer view, leave this place better for those that follow. As I go about this quiet life, I am confident that building the oneness (the New Creation) of this happening is assured. Energy flows to where the attention is placed.
What sustains my faith in humanity – Christ, and all those who suffer to move humanity forward: Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela and more. They see our connectedness and goodness and they choose to take a stand and give their lives for others – that is faith and belief that humanity can move forward as a people – move forward to understand each persons dignity, worthiness, power for good and our connectedness… And personally, if not thinking big picture, when someone returns my purse left in my shopping cart in the parking lot:)
Forgive if this is redundant, but it is the kindnesses that people extend to us every day that sustains my faith in humanity. Funny “coincidence,” but as I was writing this, the doorbell rang. It was our wonderful long-term hair stylist who dropped off two of his hair products. (It is hard for us to get out these days.) He not only made a personal delivery, but refused to charge us.
i too agree with, random acts of kindness, those seen and unseen, renews my faith in humanity. I trust that there are many acts occurring that none of us know about. Good energy and Good Karma influences the activity.
On a macro level, that I really don’t know what this entire game is about in the first place. There’s no faith necessary. My perception of right and wrong in the context of riding around on a rock in the middle of space doesn’t factor into the equation. As Lao Tzu says in the Tao Te Ching “Do you want to improve the world? I don’t think it can be done.”
On a micro level, plenty. We’re all trying our absolute best. I’m coming into contact with people all the time that have beautiful views of the world, that teach me new things, that are experiencing and sharing joy and love. I’ve seen and felt repentance, I’ve experienced forgiveness and support. We’re capable of creating whatever experience we want. The opportunities we have on this planet are unfathomable. It will take time to manifest. The process feels more glorious than the outcome.
I don’t have faith in humanity. I have faith in individual humans, most of whom are doing the best they can much of the time and most of whom will rise to the occasion when called upon.
I will add that I temper this with appropriate care for my own safety and well-being. We’ve had other questions that seem to suggest we should trust everyone everywhere all the time and people have responded with the need to protect themselves from being retraumatized. I generally believe that I will get back the energy I put out in the world and I don’t assume someone will do bad things simply because of their identity or because they’re clearly down on their luck. But I don’t ignore clear signals about someone else’s intent.
I have deep gratitude for my good fortune in mostly NOT encountering people with bad intent. Most often, my faith in an individual human is well-placed. I strive to be someone others can rely on in this same way.
What helps sustain my faith in humanity? I sit here and I am finding it hard to answer this question. When I turn to my journal writings, I realize that my own search to sustain my faith/trust in life and myself has always come down to willingness to be come teachable. I was expressing grave concern to my 100 year old uncle a couple of weeks ago and he pointed out that in his long life humanity has experienced many major challenges and survived. He said the state of things today is no different. We will survive. Honestly, I don’t know. Will our species survive? Many species have not but will evolution carry on? I say “Yes” even if we blow ourselves back to amoebas.
I share a meditation and poem I wrote in 2014.
Meditation for Feb 17, 2014:
Bare Attention
When one softens
toward oneself,
the past is forgiven,
the present is embraced,
the future takes care of itself.
The Eternal Now is alive
and you can feel it!
Seeking is forsaken
And seeing is for taking
the chance
of being fully human.
Such vulnerability is
for the making
of Love.
I say that vulnerability is another word for incarnation. I have sensed for years that when I am willing to be vulnerable, willing to celebrate my humanity fully, this thing some call divine love flows. When ever I truly surrender to “what is,” it’s a virgin birth; it’s Messiah—God with us and in me. Big Bang, Enlightenment, Cosmic Christ, Second Coming, choose your label.
For me, it’s about forsaking expectations and accepting my limitations. It’s about refusing to fight, freeze, or flee and being willing to face, feel and free my soul. It is the realization that my “yes” will be echoed by the Universe and I can humbly claim the wisdom of the ages.
It shouts, “there is no “Us and Them.” There is only “We.” Let it BE.” It cries, “Choose evolution over revolution. Stop giving up the challenge to grow. Start giving in and letting it flow. Stop trying to get what can’t be got. Start learning to let what evolution has bought.”
Its message is a reminder that the biggest battle resides within; the egoistic mind is the only sin. It has to let go so my personal evolution can win.
We must learn to pay “bare attention” to what is happening in and through us, taking responsibility for what we contribute to the wholeness—the holiness of life. What holds our attention, influences our intention and our intention holds the whole world in its hands.
I know that we presently live in a crazy world…we seem to be spinning with untruths. I have to believe that deep down people are good and kind. I have been in NYC for the last 4 days and everyone I have met has been kind to me. I smile and have such a good feeling inside …kindness is there…sometimes we just have to believe in one another. This site and all who come here give me faith in humanity every day…what a Blessing to be here.
Thanks for your post, Nannette. I am a lifelong New Yorker and love the City, although now My husband and I are now relegated to the suburbs because NY became so expensive. I always knew that our reputation for unfriendliness was unwarranted. We take care of each other and are usually helpful and friendly to visitors. Always in a hurry? Yes. Abrupt sometimes? Sure. But almost always kind and helpful.
My accommodation in college, strangers helped me navigate through the airport, passengers sat next to me asked me if I needed some help. All those things help me sustain my faith in humanity.
This site helps. The current state of affairs in our society and the western world is so full of what I have heard described as “bizzarro world” where outright mistruths are spewed, old hatreds are renewed, and bald face lies are presented to the masses and a certain number of people believe and go all in with them. It is refreshing to know that there are kind and loving folks in the world not just the power-seeking money-grubbing ones.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
When a a huge disaster strikes we all come together to help each other. That truly warms my heart!
I know in every cell of my being that human presence here (and now) is not by chance. It is an enigmatic existence in many ways, but one if I choose to be still and quiet for a bit, much is revealed to me how I can be of service to those about me to ease their path in the here and now and in the longer view, leave this place better for those that follow. As I go about this quiet life, I am confident that building the oneness (the New Creation) of this happening is assured. Energy flows to where the attention is placed.
What sustains my faith in humanity – Christ, and all those who suffer to move humanity forward: Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela and more. They see our connectedness and goodness and they choose to take a stand and give their lives for others – that is faith and belief that humanity can move forward as a people – move forward to understand each persons dignity, worthiness, power for good and our connectedness… And personally, if not thinking big picture, when someone returns my purse left in my shopping cart in the parking lot:)
Forgive if this is redundant, but it is the kindnesses that people extend to us every day that sustains my faith in humanity. Funny “coincidence,” but as I was writing this, the doorbell rang. It was our wonderful long-term hair stylist who dropped off two of his hair products. (It is hard for us to get out these days.) He not only made a personal delivery, but refused to charge us.
I love your story, Dolores! Magic!
i too agree with, random acts of kindness, those seen and unseen, renews my faith in humanity. I trust that there are many acts occurring that none of us know about. Good energy and Good Karma influences the activity.
On a macro level, that I really don’t know what this entire game is about in the first place. There’s no faith necessary. My perception of right and wrong in the context of riding around on a rock in the middle of space doesn’t factor into the equation. As Lao Tzu says in the Tao Te Ching “Do you want to improve the world? I don’t think it can be done.”
On a micro level, plenty. We’re all trying our absolute best. I’m coming into contact with people all the time that have beautiful views of the world, that teach me new things, that are experiencing and sharing joy and love. I’ve seen and felt repentance, I’ve experienced forgiveness and support. We’re capable of creating whatever experience we want. The opportunities we have on this planet are unfathomable. It will take time to manifest. The process feels more glorious than the outcome.
The kindness of others, and my striving to do the same.
Kindness
Children 🌈
I don’t have faith in humanity. I have faith in individual humans, most of whom are doing the best they can much of the time and most of whom will rise to the occasion when called upon.
Every act of random kindness or beauty reinforces this. My Buy Nothing group’s response to people’s needs reinforces it. The outpouring of generosity in response to disasters reinforces it. Not too long ago I read Rebecca Solnit’s book A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster, which also reinforced that. https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-paradise-built-in-hell-the-extraordinary-communities-that-arise-in-disaster-rebecca-solnit/11725474?ean=9780143118077
I will add that I temper this with appropriate care for my own safety and well-being. We’ve had other questions that seem to suggest we should trust everyone everywhere all the time and people have responded with the need to protect themselves from being retraumatized. I generally believe that I will get back the energy I put out in the world and I don’t assume someone will do bad things simply because of their identity or because they’re clearly down on their luck. But I don’t ignore clear signals about someone else’s intent.
I have deep gratitude for my good fortune in mostly NOT encountering people with bad intent. Most often, my faith in an individual human is well-placed. I strive to be someone others can rely on in this same way.
Thanks, Barb
What helps sustain my faith in humanity? I sit here and I am finding it hard to answer this question. When I turn to my journal writings, I realize that my own search to sustain my faith/trust in life and myself has always come down to willingness to be come teachable. I was expressing grave concern to my 100 year old uncle a couple of weeks ago and he pointed out that in his long life humanity has experienced many major challenges and survived. He said the state of things today is no different. We will survive. Honestly, I don’t know. Will our species survive? Many species have not but will evolution carry on? I say “Yes” even if we blow ourselves back to amoebas.
I share a meditation and poem I wrote in 2014.
Meditation for Feb 17, 2014:
Bare Attention
When one softens
toward oneself,
the past is forgiven,
the present is embraced,
the future takes care of itself.
The Eternal Now is alive
and you can feel it!
Seeking is forsaken
And seeing is for taking
the chance
of being fully human.
Such vulnerability is
for the making
of Love.
I say that vulnerability is another word for incarnation. I have sensed for years that when I am willing to be vulnerable, willing to celebrate my humanity fully, this thing some call divine love flows. When ever I truly surrender to “what is,” it’s a virgin birth; it’s Messiah—God with us and in me. Big Bang, Enlightenment, Cosmic Christ, Second Coming, choose your label.
For me, it’s about forsaking expectations and accepting my limitations. It’s about refusing to fight, freeze, or flee and being willing to face, feel and free my soul. It is the realization that my “yes” will be echoed by the Universe and I can humbly claim the wisdom of the ages.
It shouts, “there is no “Us and Them.” There is only “We.” Let it BE.” It cries, “Choose evolution over revolution. Stop giving up the challenge to grow. Start giving in and letting it flow. Stop trying to get what can’t be got. Start learning to let what evolution has bought.”
Its message is a reminder that the biggest battle resides within; the egoistic mind is the only sin. It has to let go so my personal evolution can win.
We must learn to pay “bare attention” to what is happening in and through us, taking responsibility for what we contribute to the wholeness—the holiness of life. What holds our attention, influences our intention and our intention holds the whole world in its hands.
Your writing restored my faith, thank you, Carol. Your word selections are beautiful and I’m inspired to allow them to integrate all day!
I know that we presently live in a crazy world…we seem to be spinning with untruths. I have to believe that deep down people are good and kind. I have been in NYC for the last 4 days and everyone I have met has been kind to me. I smile and have such a good feeling inside …kindness is there…sometimes we just have to believe in one another. This site and all who come here give me faith in humanity every day…what a Blessing to be here.
Thanks for your post, Nannette. I am a lifelong New Yorker and love the City, although now My husband and I are now relegated to the suburbs because NY became so expensive. I always knew that our reputation for unfriendliness was unwarranted. We take care of each other and are usually helpful and friendly to visitors. Always in a hurry? Yes. Abrupt sometimes? Sure. But almost always kind and helpful.
My accommodation in college, strangers helped me navigate through the airport, passengers sat next to me asked me if I needed some help. All those things help me sustain my faith in humanity.
My faith and, like Chritine said, remembering that we are all LOVE ❤️
This site helps. The current state of affairs in our society and the western world is so full of what I have heard described as “bizzarro world” where outright mistruths are spewed, old hatreds are renewed, and bald face lies are presented to the masses and a certain number of people believe and go all in with them. It is refreshing to know that there are kind and loving folks in the world not just the power-seeking money-grubbing ones.
Well-said, as usual, Joseph. Thanks.