What you look for, you will find.
“What you look for, you will find.”
So, what are you looking for? What are you focusing on? Where are you putting your attention?
I read an Instagram post recently from @taomeditations that raised a question I’ve heard from others and struggle with myself:
“How can I be happy when there is so much wrong in the world?”
I paint pictures of beautiful places and whimsical stories like the one I’ve included here and I ask myself if I’m being tone deaf to all the suffering.
“How can I create beauty when there is so much wrong in the world?”
It feels odd to plan vacations and laugh with friends while so many government employees are not getting their paychecks and others are losing their SNAP benefits.
“How can I find joy when there is so much wrong in the world?”
A monk’s response is captured in the Instagram post:
What you repeat to yourself becomes a fulfilled promise. If you search for wrong in the world, you will certainly find it.
The opposite is also true. If you search for what is right in the world, you will find that too. Many deny themselves of seeing the right and beautiful in the world out of anger, bitterness, or a perceived righteousness.
But what good does your stress do the afflicted? Does your anxiety heal the sick? Does your anger clothe the needy?
I challenge you honestly, that if you believe there is truly no light left in the world, then you must become it.
It is too easy to get sucked into the endless news cycle. The loudest, cruelest voices grab our attention and try to convince us to be very afraid.
But is the place we want to live from? Is that the path we are called to follow? Or, do we need to be a shining light in a world that seems to grow more chaotic each day.
It is true that there are terrifying things happening in our country and in the world. But that is not the only thing that is true.
What I’ve been needing in the midst of so much destruction is more of this:
Creating more beauty to hold in our hearts,
Noticing how brilliant the red leaves are when the sun lights them up from behind,
Following the flash of red on a downy woodpecker and being entertained by its habit of climbing up the tree trunk upside down,
Appreciating how some trees have every shade of yellow from limey yellow to gold to yellow ochre to russet all on the same branch, even on the same leaf,
Inhaling the smell of freshly brewed coffee,
Listening for the crunch of dry leaves underfoot,
Enjoying the laughter of friends who come for a welcome visit,
Watching the slow twirling descent of the last leaves from a tree branch outside your window,
Using the pumpkin pie spice before you swap it for cinnamon, nutmeg and clove,
Remembering those that have gone before us, knowing that now on the other side of the veil, they have found peace.
I offer your these little pockets of joy to remind you that these too belong.
Me soaring above the town sprinkling colorful glitter over all.
Become a devotee of awe and wonder.
Slow down and notice the seasons changing before your eyes.
Creative coach Kitty Knorr reminds us that it is our responsibility to rewrite the narrative spoken over us. The narrative being spoken over us right now is disturbing.
This is your life. Your journey. You are responsible for your own experience here. You get to choose where you place your attention and what you will focus on. You get to rewrite the narrative of your life.
Where attention goes, energy flows.
What are you paying attention to?
If you believe there is truly no light left in the world, then you must become it.
--@taomeditations
Where will you shine your light in the midst of this darkness?
Share with us in the comments where you find your pockets of joy!
Here’s an opportunity to create in the face of so much destruction: Join the Creative Resistance!
We offer a creative outlet in a supportive community for any skill level. Learn more and register at:
In resistance and joy!
Mary