Middle-Pause Pump-Priming Prompt

How Do You Keep the World in Your Heart While Living Your Life?

Is it one or the other? Or can it be both/and?

Remember that saying, the world is too much with us?

If ever there was a time it felt like that, it certainly could be now.

The world lies heavy on my heart.

I am afraid to look at the news, for fear it’s gotten even worse. Specifically, the Russian troops closing in on Kyiv, and the brave ones defending the city which is the heart of Ukraine. Or at least the governmental center.

As if one spot is more important than another when the death machines roll. As if one life is worth more than another when the bombs fall and the bullets fly.

Even the ones I’m wanting protected, like President Zelensky and First Lady Zelenska would say that as they tirelessly do all they can for their country.

And this is just one part of the world that’s hurting now. One getting far more coverage than places like Yemen and the Sudan where war also rages, and women and children also die.

Not to mention the planet itself.

Our Mama. The one who sustains us all with her waters, the ones we pollute, her air, the air we pollute, her land, which grows our crops, when we tend it. People around the world carefully tend it. Most of them women.

Just as people around the world defile her.

Sometimes my heart aches and I’m glued to the telly or computer screen, searching for signs of a breakthrough. Something to give me hope.

Other times, it’s all too much. My heart still aches but I need a break.

Too wash my face, clean my room, cook some nutritious food, do some work, get some sleep, or connect with my family. Walk in nature. Spend time with a child.

Life goes on. Or does it?

Am I supposed to live my life in suspended animation till this is ‘over?’ Is that even possible? Or desirable?

Which brings me to this week’s Middle-Pause Pump-Priming Prompt: How do you keep the world in your heart while living your life? Is it one or the other? Or can it be both/and?

I’m asking cause I really don’t know.

But I’m guessing, some of you do. Or have ideas. Or can offer how you’re grappling with all of this.

We’re not looking as much for formulaic solutions–which there may not be– as much as opening the conversation. Sharing experiences and perspectives.

I can share a little bit from my perspective.

First of all, it’s possible to be glued to media 24/7 and never feel fully informed. Doing that usually doesn’t help me cope with the news slamming at me.

I end up emotionally drained and exhausted even though I’ve just been sitting there without moving. My physical energy and my brainpower are zapped. So even if I knew what to do to help, it would be much harder to do.

What works better for me is to tune in periodically, in smaller doses, taking in headlines. But following my heart when it gets pulled into a specific story.

How I hold this news and these stories makes a difference.

I do my best to hold these stories prayerfully.

What I mean by that is from a place where I feel the presence of my Higher Power and my connection to spiritual energy.

I.e. not when tired, or mentally drained. But from an uplifting place where my heart is strong enough to stretch. Or even be broken open–which is part of my personal growth. To not be so full of myself that there’s no room for the pain of the world.

‘When I click on the news feed, I can’t know what’s about to stream in. But I want to be involved and connected.

To hear the stories of courage, hope, and resilience as well as horror. The evolution or devolution of the human soul is now dramatized on the stage of the world. We are all witnesses. We’re all part of this one human family. Their destiny is ours in so many ways.

I witness what shows up, take a breath, wipe my eyes and pray.

I know the people I pray for half a world away feel our prayers. Here’s evidence of that posted on Facebook, March 4th:

I want to encourage all you prayer warriors with the words that I hear from soldiers and regular people all over Ukraine. “We feel the prayer support. Sometimes some unexplainable things are happening as if some unseen hand pushes bullets and rockets away from us and they fly past us.

We come out victorious from very tough situations as if someone is walking with us. We become invisible for the enemy while we see everything and even in the darkness and we have knowledge of what to do and how. This encourages us and gives us strength. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is for Ukraine. Please, do not stop, keep supporting us in prayer. We need it!”

My prayers end when I get to amen, but the prayerful consciousness continues. By that I mean, I continue to hold Ukraine, or whatever I’m praying for, in my mind and heart as I go about my day. Chopping wood. Carrying water, and taking the best care of myself I can. That includes reaching out for mutual support with our loved ones.

But now I know more and feel more, which spills into conversations, into poetry and prose. So I let it, trusting it to fall on the right eyes and the right ears.

I take the world with me on my walks, beaming loving, peaceful energy from my heart clear across the world as I go. Blessing Ukraine and Russia is a way of bestowing good through focusing my mind and heart.

And I give what I can when I can with a generous spirit.

Mostly to international aid and rescue organizations. Doctors Without Borders, the International Red Cross. IRC, etc. If an appeal comes to me, I do my best to respond.

So when I came upon Helen Cassidy Page’s suggestions for supporting individual women by buying their knitting and crocheting patterns, I did that. No, I don’t know how to do those crafts. I can pass the pdfs to ones who do. The point is to get cash where it’s needed so kids can eat. That night.

It’s not nearly enough. I feel like the kid throwing the beached starfish back into the sea, helping as many as he can. Wasn’t it mother Teresa who said, it doesn’t matter what you do. It matters that you do it.

Enough from me. It’s your turn. Again the question/prompt: How do you keep the world in your heart while living your life? Is it one or the other? Or can it be both/and?

There are no easy answers to hard questions. Still, we look forward to hearing from you!

What are you ‘too old’ or ‘too scared’ to do? Let me show you how!

Marilyn Flower writes humor to laugh the changes she wants to see and make. She’s the author of Creative Blogging: Ninja Writers Guide to Character Development and Bucket Listers, Get Your Brave On: How to Do the Thing You’re ‘Too Old’ & ‘Too Scared’ to Do. Clowning and improvisation strengthen her resolve during these crazy times. Follow my Sacred Foolishness and Stay in touch!