What is Family?

The problem with the world is that we draw our family circle too small. ~ Mother Teresa~

 

On Monday, Aug 31st, we got up early to say goodbye to our son Mitchell....off to University in Victoria

 

Who are your people? Wars and terrible atrocities have shadowed the world since the beginning of time and currently, we are still living with this question unanswered. It's not surprising however since, we have been conditioned from an early age to stay close and loyal to our tribe. No matter where there is a child in the world, there is a parent chiding, "stay close, for there is danger out there."

We grow up being fearful of anyone different from us. We grow up believing that only those like us are the right people. We are wary and skeptical that anyone, other than our immediate family are good people, worthy of our intimacy. If you have read any of my blog post, you know I'm a huge believer in the power of attraction. This Universal law brings us exactly what we are expecting. Unless, you shout down fear and embrace the idea that we are all connected, you will attract what you are putting out there. Let's join together and sing, "we are all family."

Over the last few days, several really sad events came to my attention. On Tuesday night, while checking my Facebook, I read that Dr. Wayne Dyer passed away on August 29th. The news hit me really hard. Although I didn't know Wayne Dyer personally, nor did I even have the pleasure of hearing him speak in person, I felt like he was always personally coaching me over the last 10 years.

While trying to conceive, what I thought would be our last baby, (and ended up being our last 3 children....talk about dreams REALLY coming true) I read many of his books. "The Power of Intention," was one of my favourites. I felt empowered knowing that whatever I focused on in life would manifest. If I didn't have my nose in one of his books, I was listening to his audio collections, while driving the older children around to their after school activities. My husband D, even took Wayne's audio collection on many work related road trips and would come back with little, inspiring catch phrases that Wayne would use. One of his favourites is,.......


 



It was while listening to Wayne that I knew, if I held onto my vision of growing our family, it would manifest. I didn't know how, or when, or even what it would look like. I held onto the belief that when we are in a state of allowing, when our heart is open and trusting, what we desire most in the world will come to be. Sometimes it comes with even more than we ever imagined.

In my quest to complete our family, I looked into adoption and even fostering and it was then I turned another corner on my road. A child from my heart, I realized, was just as much mine as a child from my body. I had no idea on my journey to completing our family that I would embrace the idea that every child was mine.

I started looking at my children's friends when they came to visit, differently. As though they were one of ours. When I would help out at our children's school or preschool, (as Grace was still tiny then) I felt an encompassing love for all the children I engaged with. I even thought for awhile, maybe this was what my trying to conceive journey was creating......the realization that we don't have to bring our children onto the earth, but they are already here for us to care for. Things flowed quickly once I opened up to these ideas and William, his sisters, Kathryn and Victoria, quickly followed. (A memoir has to be written about their coming to earth, for the lessons learned along that path were profound)

The point is, the world suddenly got very small for me and my love for all grew immensely. I also felt worthy to be here. For once in my life, I felt like I too was an important part of the world family and I wanted to inspire others to open their eyes, open their hearts to this reality.

And so having to say goodbye to Dr. Wayne Dyer, was a bit like saying goodbye to part of my family. An uncle, or older brother perhaps. His illuminated way of looking at life will be missed. What makes it bearable though, is another idea he helped to reinforce, and that is we all come from Source energy and return to Source once our body stops working. A place of love. May you rest in peace Wayne.

Then last night on the CBC "National" news there was yet another story of the Syrian refugees trying to escape from terrorism. This time, drowned victims had washed up on a Turkish beach. Suddenly, the camera showed a tiny boy's body, wearing a little red t-shirt, laying face down in the water. "Oh NO!" I moaned. For some reason that scene was just too much for me and pain hit my gut. As the news story showed the little boy being picked up and being carried away, I watched in horror as the person, carrying him was holding him at a distance and I  called out while watching the scene, "oh, hold the baby close."

I went to bed last night not knowing the full story, but knowing somewhere in the world there were people in great distress and grief. I was feeling it.

Tonight on the news it turned out that I wasn't the only one horrified to see that tiny boy's body laying so still. People all over Canada (the world) reacted strongly to that news story. Maybe, oh my gosh, I hope, the world will realize that we need to become united. That baby was everyone's baby. Tonight on the news we heard more about the 3 year old boy, Alan Kurdi, who lost his life, along with his 5 year old brother and their mom, trying to find a peaceful country to live. His Dad survived but has horrible memories of having to say goodbye to his family. Here's the CBC news story but warning....this is graphic.

I don't know why but I feel as though this horrible tragedy may be a turning point in our world. Little Alan's loss of life is not in vain. The suffering that he and his people are enduring is touching the world and we are remembering that we are ALL connected. We are brothers and sisters. Compassion and love unites us.

What can we do to change the world? We can love the people in our immediate circle. We can bring our friends and neighbours in closer and look for opportunities to help and support them. We can look within our own communities for opportunities to help those less fortunate. The ripple of our circle can extend beyond our limits and touch the world.

We can let our Country's leaders know that we will only vote for those who are compassionate and moving in the direction of dealing with this world crisis, helping the refugees find a safe and peaceful home to raise their families.

And finally, we can hold the vision of what we want our world to evolve into. As I go to sleep each night, I say a prayer for all those suffering in the world and hold the vision of light and love circling the globe.


Please join me in listening to this following You tube song, "A Song of Peace."  In memory of Dr. Wayne Dyer and also little Alan Kurdi, his older brother and their mom. (If you can't see this video click on the hyper-link above)

Beautiful isn't it? Music connects us like nothing else.

And if you have any additional time today and wish to hear Dr. Wayne Dyer's friend and another of my mentors, Dr. Deepak Chopra, speak to the World Peace Orchestra about art and music, touching the world, check out the video below. Thank you Deepak!

Thank you for coming and visiting. Remember....you are my family and I love you!

Until we meet again, may you be well, happy and peaceful.

Blessings from Hope