The Essential and the Eternal
I don’t think we have ever heard the word essential as often as we have in the past months. Essential workers, essential businesses, essential items….the importance of health care workers and janitors has never been more in focus and of course, rightfully so. The honeybee in the photo is essential to the environmental balance – the necessity to be careful during these winter months seems essential to keep as many people healthy as possible. It seems essential that we get the economy back on track and that people are able to work in safe environments…ask anyone who was forced to leave their workplace if they feel their job is essential. Certainly it is to family and livelihood.
What has also become more apparent (if you are looking) is what is eternal…what is changeless in the face of constant change? This is a much tougher question-and I wonder if its been lost in the frenzy. The spiritual is the changeless…regardless of what is appearing to happen in the world at large- there is also an essence of spirit that resides in the honeybee and in the human being…the play on words in spiritual circles is we are human beings not human doings. To be or not to be is greater than Shakespeare knew to ask..its more, do we allow ourselves to see the beingness in ourselves…the heart of awareness -the never ending presence of love – of compassion – of generosity of spirit.
I have a dear friend who created a very successful career as an executive human resources leader and coach. During the hard shutdown she was learning to bake bread –something she had apparently not done in her busy career and life. It was fun to watch how she gathered expert advice from bread bakers and looked for the perfect recipe. But it wasn’t just something to do in the quiet of staying at home – it was the eternal essence inside of the act, that caught my attention. The bread was to give to neighbors – to connect with those who might be feeling alone – the breaking of bread even while by yourself, is a sacred act that contains an eternal kernel- my favorite – Love.
We are still in the times of the essential – deciding what is and what is not – but greater than that is the time for the eternal – the never changing need and expression of love – Love beyond our human doings but contained forever in our human beingness. These times are calling for it – you can see the need for it – now find a way to honor it and touch the never ending, changeless miracle of Love. And here is a shout out to my friend Ellen – keep the faith baby and keep baking that bread of life.
