I yearn for a “we” with my son, my boyfriend and his kids, but it isn’t easy or straightforward with a blended family. And there are also the ex-partners. Lots of different “we”s involved. No conflicts, thank god, but still different degrees of closeness, intimacy, acceptance and openness.
But I want to navigate this and grow our families together. The love we have for each other (partners, parents toward children) can inspire an unlikely “we”, I’m sure of it. May God guide and bless us.
When I think of this question I think of family and friends closest to me and it is always “we” Team effort makes life a whole lot easier!
Also thinking of work, we can’t do it all by ourselves! I really appreciate my team when the workload is very high we all chip in including our manager.
What a rare joy it is to me
to have company in the gardens with me,
especially when that somebody
has knowledge in their hands,
and a shared love of the plants in their heart.
Not only do we work more quickly
and cull more weeds,
but we commune together with Nature
and with each other,
whether we talk or not.
We,
together,
creates an expanded form of energy
that builds upon itself . . .
one person
can make all the difference in our world,
but few of us are the one.
One can inspire another,
and then a few,
and then a few more,
and then a multitude
and together change the world.
‘We’
has the power . . .
it can be used for the positive or the negative,
so it is important to remember where it is
that ‘We’ wants to go.
Who,
in their right mind,
thinks that destruction and death
is more desirable and lovely
than working for the good of all?
Think of what ‘We’ can accomplish
when we are all tending the gardens together,
working with the same intention,
building something beautiful
together. ♥
I’m not convinced there’s much of a dichotomy between “I” and “we.” Even at my most defensive and miserly, I am still acting in a way that so many others are acting, so my actions are not unique. All of the actions, sentiments, and sensations that I live are also being experienced by a collective, if anonymous “we.” At any given moment, I am embodying some distinct mixture of the human experience. While I think there are a lot of cultural forces coercing us into feeling separate, we’re really all playing out different parts of being human. Everything I see, think, feel, I bring to others in some way, and recombine it with what I receive from them. I guess I don’t feel like much of a monolith, more an essentially entangled part of a collective.
Possibility… for growth, connection, unity, respect, love, higher consciousness. I have more faith in humanity than I did before my path changed, despite the happenings of the world. Because I know we are all connected, I trust that it will all come together, someway, somehow.
When I shift my focus from me to we I feel stronger
and know that I am a part of something bigger than myself.
I don’t have to do anything by myself because I am more than just me.
I’m a member of any group I am with, and I’m a member of my family,
including those who have passed away before me
and those that I never knew.
I am part of the human family, and the family of all that is alive
I am not on my own.
This makes me stronger, less fearful, an more open to possibility
I love today’s word of the day, “I dwell in possibility.” Emily Dickinson
My intention today is to think about and notice possibility.
Peace and love to all
The “we” in my country is so deeply divided that it has become “Us and Them.” I see the “them” at the senior luncheons I sometimes attend. I see the “them” at my bible study group. I see the “them” in visits with family members. I see the “them” in some of my neighbors. I see the “them” in my congressmen and I do write letters of concern to them. I do my best not to judge and to focus on the “them” as fellow travelers not as enemies. I do my best to treat them with respect and kindness and hope they will treat me the same. I purposely look for the good and do my best to build on it. It does not escape me that both sides of the divide often remind me of an old boy friend whose favorite line was “What about ME?”From “me to we” is a monumental shift that is challenging. Makes me think of the term “tough love.” I will have to think about how I would define that! May we all do our best to own our thoughts, feelings and actions and always be kind.
I have been registered unaffiliated since my registration to vote in 1975. I do my best to not let the ruling party effect me. Our son on the other hand was a cross of Bernie and AOC on steroids this past weekend, when his thought’s drifted to the current political climate. Not much difference that I can discern from a rabid elephant or a rabid donkey!
I’ve known a few people like your old boyfriend,
dear Carol . . . 🙂
I too,
try to keep myself from getting ‘tribal’,
and to stay away from the ‘us and them’ mentality.
We get what we give . . . ♥
When I shift from me to we, I’m humbler, take more time to learn about issues I’m advocating for, and build from the root. It’s common for social activists to fall into the trap of pulling strings to get what they want. The two are being separated by a piece of hair. It’s social activism on one hand, string pulling on the other hand.
The best way for me to advocate is to let my piano playing lead and do the talking. Focusing on what I was born to do gives me more credability. This also reduces idol minds as well.
There’s no avoiding the idol mind. That’s one big consequence to lightening up the load from my “Beside the Beta” save the next generation project I’m well aware of. Reduction is the best we can ask for.
Everything will be fine for as long as our intentions are pure and that we’re well-aware of what we sign up for before going into whatever we decide to do. Sadly, impurity is a part of the game and only on the rise. People are going to do anything and everything for personal gain, especially led by modern and western society.
That’s an interesting question. I spend most of my time, worrying about me and my own cause and effect , and seeing the collective “we” for all the destructive things that are doing in this world.
I can’t help but see the hateful power of the “we” these days. I know that “we” can do positive things, but I don’t see the “we” being harnessed for much good. Maybe as we start to rise up against the fascist movements, I will se the positive power of the “we”. But honestly, I’m not seeing it. Where are the concerts for starving children in Gaza?, where are the millions marching on Washington? where are the vigils outside the “detention centers”?
It seems that the “we” (including myself) are too worried about the “me”. I keep coming back to, what I can do, and not focused on what we can do.
I try not to do too much wishing, but I wish this situation was different.
The collective ‘we’ you are talking about,
dear Charlie,
is on the news
much more than other ones.
There is one person that I know of
who starts her news program
with a montage of all of the protests that are going on
every day
all over the country,
and in other countries as well.
Take heart–
we’re out here.
We just haven’t been able to get it together
yet . . .
I earnestly hope and pray
for major change in the collective we. ♥
The Dalai Lama says most of our problems come from our self-centeredness. I love the Unity expression. “There is only one of us here”—it is the antidote to being myopic. I strive to see we are all one—not merely connected. It’s so easy to get caught up in my own head, my thoughts, my feelings, and my plans. My husband and children are great teachers—especially my husband. He is a masterful communicator and he always puts our needs first. When I am acting from concern for others—both at a family level and for the greater good—my own worries diminish. I feel whole.
Avril, the first thing that jumps out when reading your post is 1st world problems. It’s why jokes have piled up on America before. Individualism and 1st world problems do go together.
I shift self-satisfaction to joy. Just like when I eat a whole cake, I’m satisfied. But when I share the cake with others, we all savor that cake with joy. May everyone have a wonderful day. 🌸
Will have some with you when I get back. While I’m with my family now, I still of course miss you a lot. Love you! ♥ By the way, don’t forget your diabites. 😂
If I focus on the collective instead of the individual, I need to rein in my judgmentalism of society, especially western, as a whole. I must include the many varied types of folks in and seeking power. When I include that particular subset of “we”, this is where my thought process begins to run off the rails. At this point I retreat to the deeper “I” and dive for the cover of peace and tranquility of my own little place on the planet for respite. Bring it back to the breath. Bring it back to observing the wonderful happenings that is our home earth. Peace and love.
From me to we makes THE difference, a perspective opening the way to let go of the fixed perspective of the “i” which i feel is a desired and even almost urgently necessary shift in all of us meaning all human beings, in order to create communion, Peace and the possibility of being guided by Love in all thoughts and deeds for the sake of all beings, while in the same time it supposingly means being one with all, and most probably it is a prerequisite to arive in stillness,. So in short, it would open the door to arriving in our all longing for Peace inside and out, unconditional Love and timeless Stillness. May we all be open to realize this shift. Thank you for this question.
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.
I yearn for a “we” with my son, my boyfriend and his kids, but it isn’t easy or straightforward with a blended family. And there are also the ex-partners. Lots of different “we”s involved. No conflicts, thank god, but still different degrees of closeness, intimacy, acceptance and openness.
But I want to navigate this and grow our families together. The love we have for each other (partners, parents toward children) can inspire an unlikely “we”, I’m sure of it. May God guide and bless us.
When I think of this question I think of family and friends closest to me and it is always “we” Team effort makes life a whole lot easier!
Also thinking of work, we can’t do it all by ourselves! I really appreciate my team when the workload is very high we all chip in including our manager.
What a rare joy it is to me
to have company in the gardens with me,
especially when that somebody
has knowledge in their hands,
and a shared love of the plants in their heart.
Not only do we work more quickly
and cull more weeds,
but we commune together with Nature
and with each other,
whether we talk or not.
We,
together,
creates an expanded form of energy
that builds upon itself . . .
one person
can make all the difference in our world,
but few of us are the one.
One can inspire another,
and then a few,
and then a few more,
and then a multitude
and together change the world.
‘We’
has the power . . .
it can be used for the positive or the negative,
so it is important to remember where it is
that ‘We’ wants to go.
Who,
in their right mind,
thinks that destruction and death
is more desirable and lovely
than working for the good of all?
Think of what ‘We’ can accomplish
when we are all tending the gardens together,
working with the same intention,
building something beautiful
together. ♥
What a beautiful experience in your garden. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Yes. dear Sparrow, beautiful!
Everything! 🙌🌱
I’m not convinced there’s much of a dichotomy between “I” and “we.” Even at my most defensive and miserly, I am still acting in a way that so many others are acting, so my actions are not unique. All of the actions, sentiments, and sensations that I live are also being experienced by a collective, if anonymous “we.” At any given moment, I am embodying some distinct mixture of the human experience. While I think there are a lot of cultural forces coercing us into feeling separate, we’re really all playing out different parts of being human. Everything I see, think, feel, I bring to others in some way, and recombine it with what I receive from them. I guess I don’t feel like much of a monolith, more an essentially entangled part of a collective.
“more an essentially entangled part of a collective.” A very good way to describe the human condition.
Thank you Drea.
What an interesting perspective,
dear Drea . . . ♥
Possibility… for growth, connection, unity, respect, love, higher consciousness. I have more faith in humanity than I did before my path changed, despite the happenings of the world. Because I know we are all connected, I trust that it will all come together, someway, somehow.
It will! Everything is in motion.
When I shift my focus from me to we I feel stronger
and know that I am a part of something bigger than myself.
I don’t have to do anything by myself because I am more than just me.
I’m a member of any group I am with, and I’m a member of my family,
including those who have passed away before me
and those that I never knew.
I am part of the human family, and the family of all that is alive
I am not on my own.
This makes me stronger, less fearful, an more open to possibility
I love today’s word of the day, “I dwell in possibility.” Emily Dickinson
My intention today is to think about and notice possibility.
Peace and love to all
Wishing you a keen eye for possibility today, Mary.
The “we” in my country is so deeply divided that it has become “Us and Them.” I see the “them” at the senior luncheons I sometimes attend. I see the “them” at my bible study group. I see the “them” in visits with family members. I see the “them” in some of my neighbors. I see the “them” in my congressmen and I do write letters of concern to them. I do my best not to judge and to focus on the “them” as fellow travelers not as enemies. I do my best to treat them with respect and kindness and hope they will treat me the same. I purposely look for the good and do my best to build on it. It does not escape me that both sides of the divide often remind me of an old boy friend whose favorite line was “What about ME?”From “me to we” is a monumental shift that is challenging. Makes me think of the term “tough love.” I will have to think about how I would define that! May we all do our best to own our thoughts, feelings and actions and always be kind.
Thought provoking meditation from Richard Rohr today.
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/collective-shadow-hate-disguised-as-love/
I have been registered unaffiliated since my registration to vote in 1975. I do my best to not let the ruling party effect me. Our son on the other hand was a cross of Bernie and AOC on steroids this past weekend, when his thought’s drifted to the current political climate. Not much difference that I can discern from a rabid elephant or a rabid donkey!
Joseph, I hear you. I have witnessed so much fear and anger on both sides of the divide.
I’ve known a few people like your old boyfriend,
dear Carol . . . 🙂
I too,
try to keep myself from getting ‘tribal’,
and to stay away from the ‘us and them’ mentality.
We get what we give . . . ♥
Good food for thought. Thank you Carol.
When I shift from me to we, I’m humbler, take more time to learn about issues I’m advocating for, and build from the root. It’s common for social activists to fall into the trap of pulling strings to get what they want. The two are being separated by a piece of hair. It’s social activism on one hand, string pulling on the other hand.
The best way for me to advocate is to let my piano playing lead and do the talking. Focusing on what I was born to do gives me more credability. This also reduces idol minds as well.
There’s no avoiding the idol mind. That’s one big consequence to lightening up the load from my “Beside the Beta” save the next generation project I’m well aware of. Reduction is the best we can ask for.
Everything will be fine for as long as our intentions are pure and that we’re well-aware of what we sign up for before going into whatever we decide to do. Sadly, impurity is a part of the game and only on the rise. People are going to do anything and everything for personal gain, especially led by modern and western society.
Well said, LOC TRAN…THANK YOU
Thanks Carol, and no problem.
That’s an interesting question. I spend most of my time, worrying about me and my own cause and effect , and seeing the collective “we” for all the destructive things that are doing in this world.
I can’t help but see the hateful power of the “we” these days. I know that “we” can do positive things, but I don’t see the “we” being harnessed for much good. Maybe as we start to rise up against the fascist movements, I will se the positive power of the “we”. But honestly, I’m not seeing it. Where are the concerts for starving children in Gaza?, where are the millions marching on Washington? where are the vigils outside the “detention centers”?
It seems that the “we” (including myself) are too worried about the “me”. I keep coming back to, what I can do, and not focused on what we can do.
I try not to do too much wishing, but I wish this situation was different.
The collective ‘we’ you are talking about,
dear Charlie,
is on the news
much more than other ones.
There is one person that I know of
who starts her news program
with a montage of all of the protests that are going on
every day
all over the country,
and in other countries as well.
Take heart–
we’re out here.
We just haven’t been able to get it together
yet . . .
I earnestly hope and pray
for major change in the collective we. ♥
Sounds like your wish is not just a “me” wish. It is a “we” wish. I deeply appreciate your wish, Charlie.
The Dalai Lama says most of our problems come from our self-centeredness. I love the Unity expression. “There is only one of us here”—it is the antidote to being myopic. I strive to see we are all one—not merely connected. It’s so easy to get caught up in my own head, my thoughts, my feelings, and my plans. My husband and children are great teachers—especially my husband. He is a masterful communicator and he always puts our needs first. When I am acting from concern for others—both at a family level and for the greater good—my own worries diminish. I feel whole.
“There is only one of us here” Thanks for sharing that reminder. Makes me think of a poem I wrote many moons ago!
CLEAR SEEING
WE ARE PILGRIMS ON THE JOURNEY.
WE SEARCH BUT ALL PATHS LEAD NO WHERE.
WHY? BECAUSE WE NEVER LEFT THE GARDEN.
WE JUST THINK WE DID.
AND WHAT WE THINK MANIFESTS.
AND WHAT MANIFESTS BECOMES OUR REALITY —
A REALITY THAT DENIES OUR BIRTHRIGHT
AND IMPRISONS OUR VERY SOUL.
SO LET US RE-MEMBER, RE-CLAIM THE GARDEN.
GATHER BENEATH THE TREE OF LIFE.
ROOT OURSELVES IN ITS AGELESS WISDOM
AND BECOME WHAT WE WERE MEANT TO BE.
WHOLE, WHOLLY, ONE WITH NATURE
ONE WITH ALL CREATION,
WEATHERING ALL THE SEASONS OF LIFE WITH GRACE,
AND GRATEFULNESS FOR IT ALL.
Avril, the first thing that jumps out when reading your post is 1st world problems. It’s why jokes have piled up on America before. Individualism and 1st world problems do go together.
Yes. And, “there is no “other”
Right! 🙂
I shift self-satisfaction to joy. Just like when I eat a whole cake, I’m satisfied. But when I share the cake with others, we all savor that cake with joy. May everyone have a wonderful day. 🌸
Thank you Ngoc Nguyen.
((( ♥ )))
Beautiful, Ngoc.
Beautifully said.
Thanks, Carol. May you have a beautiful day full of joy. 💐
My Ngoc, I love cake. Lets share some.
Will have some with you when I get back. While I’m with my family now, I still of course miss you a lot. Love you! ♥ By the way, don’t forget your diabites. 😂
My Ngoc, looking forward to it. Love you too.
I would be happy to share some cake with you! Love how you put this, Ngoc.
I’m so happy for your kind words, Sunnypatti. May you have a wonderful day filled with sweetness from others’ hearts and their love for you. ♥
Well said Ngoc
Thanks, Avril. 🙂 Have a wonderful day.
Different perspectives/thoughts/togetherness.
If I focus on the collective instead of the individual, I need to rein in my judgmentalism of society, especially western, as a whole. I must include the many varied types of folks in and seeking power. When I include that particular subset of “we”, this is where my thought process begins to run off the rails. At this point I retreat to the deeper “I” and dive for the cover of peace and tranquility of my own little place on the planet for respite. Bring it back to the breath. Bring it back to observing the wonderful happenings that is our home earth. Peace and love.
Yes, Joseph, the deeper “I”
From me to we makes THE difference, a perspective opening the way to let go of the fixed perspective of the “i” which i feel is a desired and even almost urgently necessary shift in all of us meaning all human beings, in order to create communion, Peace and the possibility of being guided by Love in all thoughts and deeds for the sake of all beings, while in the same time it supposingly means being one with all, and most probably it is a prerequisite to arive in stillness,. So in short, it would open the door to arriving in our all longing for Peace inside and out, unconditional Love and timeless Stillness. May we all be open to realize this shift. Thank you for this question.
thank you, Ose
Thank you, Ose
Amen Ose