The New Balance in America

The world is rife with molds.

Pre-formed concepts of categorical excellence. Parameters for what it means to be athletic, musical, academic. Agreed upon measurements of excellence and standards of success.

There is little room for YOU or ME or US, unless…

We tune into a parallel world.

Not the world we see. But the world we envision.

In order to get past labels and judgment, negativity, fear and obstacles, we have to create our own reality. We have to describe what we see in our mind’s eye, our imagination.

Despite the many obstacles our eyes may see: the anger, despair and anxiety in our world and our selves, we must see what our eyes cannot: the limitless love, radical acceptance, unconditional belonging.

Here’s an idea that rocked my world, after I read it many times.

It’s a quote from Michael Bernard Beckwith: If we believe in what we don’t see, than what we do see we won’t see and what we don’t see, we will see.

This is the parallel world to which I am referring. The one inside our imagination. And this is the basis for the new balance in America.

Balance not in our collective external realties.

But balance in the integration and manifestation of our individual visions.

For me, it’s not about getting more. It’s about experiencing more. It’s not about winning more. It’s about playing more. It’s not about power but compassion. Not about strength but courage.

This is a tough road to follow.

Because, at least where I live, the focus is on uber achievement. In sports. In school. In art. In a fit youthful looking appearance. In power careers. Power moms. Extra-curricular, extra-verted power.

I fear if I follow my road, I am inadvertently dragging our family down it, and they will somehow suffer.

I keep forgetting, this is bullshit.

What I am preaching to my pulpit of three at home, is that we must each carve out our own individual road. Not succumb to peer pressure or media lures or spiritual laziness. We must create our own GPS for happiness.

What other option is there?

None.

At least none that ends well.

Who we are, what we envision, will likely change along the way. But if we don’t become skilled at looking inward for direction we will surely be lost.

It’s not a race against anyone. It’s not a race at all. It’s a journey. We’re on it together. So, let’s support each other.

It’s not being the best.

It’s about being your best, my best, our best– wherever we go, whatever we do, because… what moves each of us moves the world.

It’s about me and we, what bonds us together, our fierce, fragile, fantasticly unique humanity.