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Have you
noticed how our senses are beginning to fill with the sweet tangy
taste of crisp mornings and buttery chrysanthemums?
And with the changing seasons, have you ever noticed how
the colder weather often triggers the desire to “nest”?
That almost instinctual need to snuggle before a crackling
fire? Or surround
ourselves with the deep colors of rich browns, sapphire blues,
emerald greens and burgundy reds?
How our taste buds long for hearty soups and crusty warm
breads?
It seems to be as much a part of my seasonal cycle as it is the
heralding of the earth’s seasonal cycle.
With all signs of summer disappearing, the planet appears
to be tucking itself into the rich earth…to slip beneath its
soil covers…to burrow close to its roots.
It
becomes the peaceful time when the noises of summer fade, and the
moments of quiet contemplation once again make themselves known
deep within ourselves. There
is more time for reading a good book, watching a new movie, or
lighting candles when the daylight slips away so early.
Recently,
my quieting world seems filled with the subject of heroes.
Movies like United
93, Flags of our Fathers.
Television programs like Heroes.
Or books, short stories, news stories.
In these moments of contemplation, I began to think about
heroes.
Not
necessarily the ones who garner deserved headlines or win medals
or plaques, but the ones who deal with everyday moments of unseen
heroism. Fathers who
stay the course because the lives and well-being of loved ones
depend on them. Mothers
who struggle so often to be breadwinner, nurse, chauffer and
miracle worker to family and stranger alike.
Grandparents, students, teachers…there are so many among
us who are unheralded heroes.
But I
want to acknowledge the most often overlooked hero in our lives.
Ourselves. That
inner spark of fire that burns deep inside of us.
It is often called our Spirit, our Soul, our Inner Self.
As the
days shorten, as our world spins slower, maybe it is time to take
a moment to recognize and embrace the “you” within.
We might be asking, “What does my inner self have to do
with the stuff of heroes?”
I asked
myself that, and so I looked in a dictionary.
Here is what I found at
several sources:
“a)….a
hero is a man or woman, who commonly possesses abilities or
character, which enable him or her to perform some truly
extraordinary, beneficial deed....These powers are sometimes not
only of the body but also of the mind…b)….A person who is endowed with great courage and strength.
c)….Defender,
guardian, protector, shielder - a person who cares for
persons…..”
Our
Inner Self is all and more. When
we connect to our spirit within, we begin to become attuned to our
physical and spiritual needs.
If we listen closely, we can hear our own voice of wisdom.
We can begin to trust the lifetimes of “experience”
that have given us the knowledge of who we are.
Over
time, the unknowing acceptance of negativity often clouds or
impairs our inner vision.
We lose sight of whom and what we are.
Yet our inner self never lets go of this vision.
This inner hero allows nothing…no society, no
organizational tenet, no so-called rulebook to diminish the power
of our inner self’s knowing and truth.
It never forgets our oneness with all humanity.
It never forgets that we are not alone.
It stands forever within us…defender, guardian,
protector, shielder.
In those
moments when we outwardly make a decision to act in love and
courage toward another person; when we forgive and accept through
unconditional love; when we reach out and steady someone who is
faltering…remember what that feels like, for you have touched
your inner self. In
the remembering, we sense the path back to ourselves.
With each recognition, the journey becomes easier and
easier to travel.
And,
with each journey, the self-awareness begins to enlighten and
awaken within ourselves the powerful joy of who we are, and why we
are. We discover that
in those moments when we feel alone, we are never alone.
Moreover, for the first time, we begin to truly understand
this oneness that binds us to humanity.
We begin to understand this joy of unconditional love…not
only for all, but also most importantly for ourselves.
Embrace
this hero within. There
won’t be any medals or plaques.
Or movies or news articles about the wondrous protector and
shielder deep inside of us. However,
there will be rewards…the warm and shiny moments of peace of
mind, the sweetness of knowing, the powerful embrace of self love.
As we
travel on our journey to discovering and acknowledging our inner heroes, there is a wonderful article on The Voice titled “Potholes
on the Spiritual Path.”
It gives
us some road signs that can make our journey just a bit easier in
understanding and knowledge.
Our
heroes await us. Discover.
More
article by Sherry Koellner
The Courage to Experience
The Season of Renewal (Christmas
2005)
“Heroes
take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of
their true selves”
Carol Pearson
Thank you for honoring and respecting
the following request…
Copyright ©2005
by Melvyn Caryl - all rights reserved. None of the articles or messages on this website
may be copied in part or total for republication without express permission of the
author, Melvyn Caryl.
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