Destruction & Creation
By
Earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, airplanes into buildings, bombs dropping, all bring destruction and often the tragic loss of lives. Some of these are brought by the power of the constantly transforming forces of nature, and others by the destructive aspect of human nature.
Either way, when it is brought by nature or the hand of others, if destruction makes its way to your doorstep its devastating. The chaos, loss, disorder, and helplessness remind you to the core of your soul of the vulnerability of life.
It can be tragic to live through devastation, and tough to live with the knowing that life is fleeting, subject to the forces of nature, and the potentially destructive side of humanity. So what do you do? How do you experience destruction in your life and go on? How do you help those around you when they face the utter transformation of their lives?
Whether the loss of the old way of life is brought on by a sudden natural disaster, the slow decline of a marriage, industry, or economic flow, the death of a loved one, or the cruel hand of humanity, you need strong inner resources to help you through. How you engage the loss makes a difference in whether it destroys you forever or you are capable of rebuilding.
Collectively, we’ve witnessed stories of both individual lives and the lives of entire groups of people that faced tragedy, cruelty, loss, and still found it within themselves to rebuild and thrive. What is the difference in those people and others who face similar situations but end up so beaten down by life that they never recover?
From the outside you can’t tell the difference. There is nothing that shows up externally that determines the depth of inner tenacity. But there are markers of character and personal development that seem to make a difference.
One is the capacity to find gratitude for even the smallest thing, even in the midst of the bleakest situation, and focus energy on that until it uplifts the spirit. Another is the ability to focus on creation both immediate and long term. What do we need to create right now to get food, water, and health care to where it is essential? How can we rebuild in a way that is stronger and more in alignment with the forces of nature?
Those two things alone can make the distinction between those who never recover from tragedy and those able to regain the strength and will to survive and thrive. At the core of both these components is the consistent practice of focus. Continuing to direct your focus while also allowing time for your feelings about the situation to be processed, aligns your head and heart toward creation.
In trying times and situations, as well as in daily life, centering yourself in gratitude and creation uplifts and directs your energy. It develops strong inner resources that help you and those around you not only survive, but ultimately thrive.
Beautiful Lisa. I can absolutely attest to how gratitude alone can shift my attention from hopelessness to hope. Developing mastery of the art of gratitude, like almost anything else, takes practice. It has taken me over 12 years of growing my conscious awareness to reach this place of authentic daily gratitude. I recommend this practice to anyone.
Also, staying fully present in the moment, another mastery that takes lots of practice, always leads to awareness of what wants or needs to happen in the NOW. Listening, paying close attention to guidance and following the energy unquestionable assists me in maintaining or regaining inner peace.
Thank you Eden, so beautifully said.
Thank you for the wonderful article Lisa. A reported spoke of hearing Haitian survivors singing Amazing Grace as they huddled in the darkness. They were strangers bonded through destruction and they found a way to keep their spirit alive and connected to one another. The power of the human Spirit is amazing !!
Tammy I missed this story so thank you for sharing it.
Thank you Lisa. This came at just the right time as our daughter Amanda is leaving tomorrow for Haiti, to help with the children. The part about focussing on gratitude and creation will be helpful as she deals with the trauma and devastation.
Sending Amanda much love as she goes to assist and a big hug to you Shireen as you send her off.
I concur with Eden. Attitudes of gratitude. Trusting that the silver lining may be invisible. And that the chaos clears the way for rebirth and renewal. Faced with personal destruction cycles, it is a huge challenge to let the energy run its course while staying present in the moment. It takes focus and concious effort on my part to stay centered, release dros, and believe that this too passes and the silver lining will appear.
Someone just accused me of having rose colored glasses on, that I have not recognized the darkness waiting to envelope me. Well, there is a difference between denial and positive movement forward thru the darkness. I choose to mine the darkness for the treasures it reveals in the light.
Thanks so much Teresa.
Thanks, Lisa, and all who commented for your great insight. Sometimes it is so hard to face the destructive elements in our world. We send money, or go if we can, to the site of a disaster. We talk about the problems and try to disseminate information, all positive creative actions, and yet we find ourselves overwhelmed with all the things that need to be done. Sometimes it’s good to take an emotional vacation and just dance with the universe for an hour, a day, a weekend, to reconnect to our source of strength and joy. Frankly, this message is for me. I am the one who has to remember to dance, to reconnect.
Dance is the best medicine Connie. So appreciate the reminder.
I am reminded of a poem by Hermann Hesse:
Sometimes, when a bird cries out,
Or the wind sweeps through a tree,
Or a dog howls in a far-off farm,
I hold still and listen a long time.
My world turns and goes back to the place
Where, a thousand forgotten years ago,
The bird and the blowing wind
Were like me, and were my brothers.
My soul turns into a tree,
And an animal, and a cloud bank.
Then changed and odd it comes home
And asks me question. What should I reply?
Namaste,
Lynn
Beautiful Lynn, thank you!
Thank you, Lisa. To me this goes with a message that I keep feeling and sharing, that there is always a gift from the chaos.
Chaos is simply the Universe rearranging the molecules of what is, so we can have what we have been asking for. The trick is how we respond as you have said. Do we ride the wave of the change and stay focused on that which we want or do we get lost in, or react to the chaos and cause ourselves discomfort or pain in that resistance.
I wish for all of us more and more ease with the changes that we have called forth on whatever level, and even more, the possibility of excitement and anticipation.
I’m with you Bobbie on the ease with changes. Thanks for connecting.
As one who is experiencing the “storm” and feeling the loss (personally and collectively), this message is timely, pertinent and is assisting in turning that focus toward the light again. The spiral journey is ultimately a comfort and yet in these times, it can be easy to get lost.
The gratitude is there. Now it is time to choose possibility, choose returning, choose life . . . all of it.
I come from a long line of VERY strong women. Who doesn’t? It is their legacy and gift to us. It is our turn. It is our time. On their shoulders I stand and choose life!!
Blessings All Ways,
Jean
Thanks Jean, so true about the feminine lineage and choosing life.
Thank you so much. You have a way of helping us to know and understand.
I agree that where one chooses to focus is a major factor. Focus, itself, is an act of creation because that to which we give our attention expands. If we give our attention to recovery, restoration, and rebuilding that’s what we ultimately experience; if we focus on loss and devastation,we get more of the same. Finding and expressing gratitude is a way of directing the energy of creation to that which we appreciate. To notice love, beauty, and kindness is to perpetuate the same.
One last thought. With the earthquake coming so close to the Capricorn new moon and the eclipse, I have wondered if the terrible death and destruction have come to repair/prepare the “new earth” for Haiti. Many times, a new magnificent structure cannot be raised on an old crumbling foundation. I am certain that this cataclysmic event is the herald of a new more vibrant life for Haiti. This is not unlike what happens in our personal lives. If, like the Haitian people, we can demonstrate grace,fortitude and resilience through our many trials and still know that life is beautiful; the world (universe) will deliver its bounty to our doorstep.
Love, Peace, and Joy
Sandra
Recovery, restoration, and rebuilding…what a powerful trio on which to place focus. Thank you, Sandra.
Thanks for this,Lisa. In our very small way, the synchronicity of your post has been very helpful as on Wednesday we had to have our little Jack Russell, Rosie, put to sleep. She was 16.5 years old and it’s been hard not having her around. It’s a small thing beside the huge loss of life in Haiti but your words are a reminder that, huge or tiny, we do face challenges and the best we can do is to be positive, to remember the love our pooch gave us, to honour the families of Haiti in their huge loss, but to continue hoping and building for a better world for the future.
So sorry to hear of your loss Mo. Sending you a big energetic hug as you grieve.
Dear Lisa,
Thank you so much for reminding us of the high vibration of gratitude and how it can see us through the toughest of times.
I ma reminded of Tom Kenyon’s latest channeling and how it assisted me in understandign that the Haitian earthquake is a HUGe heart openign for the planet!
Blessigns,
Anyaa
Thanks Anyaa, it certainly has been a heart opening for the planet.
Lisa, Thank you for the article!
It is easy to fall into paralyzing despair while seeing the horrors in Haiti. It takes more effort to see the hope.
I’ve been amazed to see innovation and the use of new technologies (texting, Twitter, Facebook, GoogleMaps) to communicate and save lives. Ultimately, this experience will make us better able to relieve suffering and save lives.
Shiva’s dance is one of Destruction AND Creation.
Steve, just yesterday I was again referencing Shiva’s dance. Thanks for the reminder again and the ability technology has in helping us help one another.
Lisa,
This is not only a stunnning commentary, but a timely one as Haiti continues to struggle with destruction. I am reminded of Shiva, Goddess of Destruction, and how unpredictable and violent this process can be. Destruction is difficult, and yet sometimes it is needed to bring forth creation. After breakdown, break through. The cycle of nature, the cycle of life. With trust, and a glint of gratitude, destruction can give way to new life and creation.
Thank you for this thoughtful article.
Namaste,
Denise
Denise, destruction is often very difficult. My heart goes out to those who are dealing with it. Thank you for your dear comments, Lisa