Starting With Me

A beautiful soul asked me, "What is the use of tradition? What is the use of sacred text-of that which came before."

I thought about it and said, "That is an interesting question, what if I started with me. What if there was no God, except the God of present time?" I sat with how that would feel and I felt -in that moment-incredibly alone. I told him that the only way that I could translate it was being cut off from my ancestors.

I told him, "The gift of my ancestors is that I get to learn from their mistakes and their triumphs. Some things I no longer have to do, because they have done them for me. Other things I can learn to implement in my life. I realized that they did the best they could with what they had and knew. We all have."

To start- as if there was nothing before- seems that I would lose so much. Of the mistakes-mine and my ancestors -I look back, bless and release them. What else is there to do? What text is not sacred? After nearly three years of seminary, I am finally convinced that 'sacred text' has the possibility of healing as well as harm. Doesn't everything and doesn't everyone?

A beautiful soul said to me, "I am so glad that there are so many people out there doing things, so I don't have to." I frowned. She said, "I am glad that someone is creating a mural in San Francisco, so I don't have to. I can just focus on what I came here to do."

In the moment, I could not understand her and I felt uncomfortable. I knew it was because I have never viewed the earth as being of service to me. I realized that I held that my relationship with the earth-on some level was one sided. I was here to serve.

I woke up early this morning and realized that my ancestors have lived lifetimes of poverty, they had already done that and that I did not have to do that.

I woke up early this morning and realized that there had been enough suffering for lifetimes and that I did not have to do that.

I woke up this morning and realized there was enough sorrow to fill oceans on several planets and I did not have to grieve forever.

I realized that I did not come here to suffer
I did not come here to shrink
I did not come here to be small
We had compromised ourselves for generations.

I woke up this morning and realized that my ancestors were filled with courage and that I could manifest the legacy handed to me in present time

I woke up this morning and realized that my ancestors found joy in the face of struggle and I could manifest the legacy handed to me in present time

I woke up this morning