BLOG: Awakening Together

Most of the time I am disconnected from the world physically. At my kitchen table, blogging, researching, emailing. I live, breathe, and exist in my head, alone. But each morning when I take my beagle on the trails of my sleepy town I awaken to the whole. Each cardinal, each blade of grass, each day lily, reminds me that I am not alone. The birds bathing in puddles formed by the early morning underground suburban sprinklers awaken me to our connectedness in our garden masterpiece.

A member of my improvisational theater group joked one day about the “mean streets of Eagan” where I live. He is right. This city, on the surface, is beautiful, safe, and tranquil.

But, I do appreciate going into the city of Minneapolis. The sidewalk cafes on Nicollet mall, a baseball game, the Thursday farmer’s markets are fun distractions from my day to day suburban existence. Just the same, I look forward to returning to my bedroom community after a frantic-paced visit to the inner city.

Most assuredly there is unrest here too. Beneath the surface are failed marriages, teenage angst, crime, poverty, addiction, violence. To those affected by this suffering, both in the big city and in the suburbs, I send thoughts of love, joy, compassion and know that all is well and you are not alone.

Not so long ago my life, cluttered and confused by constantly comparing myself to an impossible standard, felt the same pangs of suffering.  A time when material possessions accumulated and superficial relationships were the norm.  A time when the demands of career and family threatened my sanity. A life void of purpose and passion. The Jones were a tough and toxic act to follow.

Today, I rise. The suburbs rise. The city rises. Our constant expansion and awakening to a higher existence is our purpose. Together and not alone.

What has been your greatest awakening moment or series of moments?