Yes, It Would Help Immensely
Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once,
but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.
Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul,
To assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely.
-Clarissa Pinkola Este
My heart softens every time I read this. And I have read this quote many times during this past week.
It always has the same impact on me:
A soft sigh,
An easy breath,
And effortless remembering:
Here’s another moment.
Just one moment at a time.
Being released from fixing climate change today,
Being released from ending wars today,
From righting injustice today,
I can be freed up and I can be present
To practice
Being there for another,
As best I can.
And that is all this quote invites us to do:
To mend our part of the world.
What’s my part of the world?
That would be, for me, the people I come in touch with.
Those I know, those I don’t.
People passing in cars, those walking down the grocery store aisle,
The Spectrum guy on the other end of the call….
The people I come in touch with.
They are impeccably curated by the universe to give me exactly what I need to practice.
I do believe the universe works in that way.
My day is specifically My Day.
The universe gives me what I need to heal,
And to practice being there for others.
Then Clarissa reminds us of any small, calm thing.
What small, calm thing might I have to offer?
In a good moment—
I can offer a smile.
It works.
A hello, totally works.
A nod.
Letting a car yield ahead of me—
(Where am I rushing, exactly?)
The universe gives me exactly the people I need, with whom to practice.
My laboratory exists in the world.
My practice is being requested, moment after moment.
It all counts—it’s all perfect.
From soul to soul, as we exchange kindness.
I love that Clarissa says these actions will help “immensely.”
Like, To a great extent
Vast in extent
We can touch each other immensely.
We can make a huge difference to each other, immensely.
Such damage is being done around us, so consistently, so repeatedly,
I vote for IMMENSE IMPACT,
Here and now
With kindness.
Yes, I do.
Just by being there,
Being present
With ourselves
And with each other.
Everybody wins.
Where does Clarissa’s quote land for you?
How might you practice this?
What might it look like?
~~~
I heard this song way back yesteryear, in the earlier days of the Pandemic. Remember those times? Way long ago. I do remember being really moved by their message in this song. I remember some tears then.
When I listened yesterday, I cried more tears. I find this song, their invitation profoundly relevant today. Here are the Bengsons, an indie-folk-duo-team, with their song, The Keep Going Song
~~~
Dear Folks,
Right here,
Right now.
Give us the courage
And the strength
To practice kindness.
First with ourselves
And then,
With every
Single
Other
Body,
As best we are able.
When we cannot,
So be it.
When we are able,
Blessed be.
Let’s practice with gentle commitment,
Let’s practice with easy relaxation,
Let’s practice
With kindness.
May all beings benefit from our time together.
Stay blessed,
Aruni