Chapter Ten
Inspiring Others
Singing a New Song
This morning, while listening to some deep-rooted words, I was taken back to childhood while listening to and singing a favorite song:
Sings a New Song by Dan Schutte
Sing a new song unto the Lord; let your song be sung from mountains high. Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia.
Yahweh’s people dance for joy. O come before the Lord. And play for him on glad tambourines, and let your trumpet sound.
Sing a new song unto the Lord; let your song be sung from mountains high. Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia.
Rise, O children, from your sleep; your Savior now has come. He has turned your sorrow to joy and filled your soul with song.
Sing a new song unto the Lord; let your song be sung from mountains high. Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia.
Glad my soul, for I have seen the glory of the Lord. The trumpet sounds; the dead shall be raised. I know my Savior lives.
Sing a new song unto the Lord; let your song be sung from mountains high. Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia.
I had almost forgotten this tune until a good friend spoke about change. Change not for the world but self. It is through self we can change the world around us. My friend spoke of Saul before he became Paul and how he used to see things. Then one day, on the road to Damascus, a bright light filled his being, and Saul was given new sight. As he stepped into the light, he forever became known as Paul…a follower of Jesus.
I then began relating this story to a time escorting a friend up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a magical place where mystery and awe collide. We arrived up North without a plan and no idea why we had come. We did know something was about to happen…but the uncertainty was present.
We began unloading our burdens during a talking circle around a sacred fire, just like bringing our sins to a mighty table where we are forgiven, offering them up — to a higher place of existence and freeing us from their burdens. We poured our sins into the fire and were given a new beginning, a birthing, if you will. Then I received a tap on the shoulder, “You ready?” Ready for what?!
We excused ourselves to another sacred place, that of a longhouse, with a smaller structure inside. Likings of an inner room, this inner structure was only reachable on our hands and knees. We must crawl into the womb of mother earth.
The door is closed once in the womb, and ancestors are invited in. Ancient grandfathers were invited in, and all shared medicine. As the medicine from the grandfathers emitted into the inner room, thunder began to sound. My eyes, which I could see before entering, burned from their sockets.
With eyes closed and no sight, I listened to songs of creation, thanksgiving, prayers of peace and love, and finally, a charge to go forth into the world anew. Others had visions of what they had seen, but I was to unsee what was once seen for me.
Exiting the womb, we were given a new start in life. All retired for the evening, but I was to remain…for unknown reasons. It was 2 a.m., and the stars filled the skies. I could see the Pleiades or Seven Sisters and heard a faint invite, “come sit in the woods.” So I walked into the woods and noticed my eyesight as if it were daytime. In the middle of the night, I was able to see as if daytime! I ask the stars how this is possible, hearing reassuring voices, “That which you have seen before is no longer. From this day forward, you will be given new sight, with the ability to see that which most cannot. The night shall become day, and the unknown shall be known unto you. Your given name shall represent Owl…seer of the unseen.”
So, as I sat there listening to a friend speak, transported back into time, reminded of what was to come in the future. In essence, Be Here Now takes on a whole new meaning. With a greater understanding of here and now, seeing past and future collide into present…I am given sight as to what might be or not be. With each new step forward, I am given a choice to step with care or push my way through.
Transported through a vessel of story, from old to new, I am given a glimpse into past and given sight of what may come. Although I am still present now, there is hope as to what may be. I am given a song to sing for all to hear, healing myself and allowing others to be healed.
A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. ~Lou Holtz
Whatever our passions, whatever our dreams…may we follow them, singing the song of songs deep within our souls. We may not fully understand the path leading to such, but we assuredly live as authentic as possibly attainable. We are the birds, and a song of life remains…choose to sing it or choose to be sung by It.
Spiritual Exercise: Inspiring Others
1. Being a guide
As we journey along in our search for the meaning and purpose of our own lives, we create a deeper understanding of others and their life journeys. We are all seeking a place of happiness, but many of us have forgotten how to achieve it. What is it? It just is.
Through our understanding, we witness the understanding of others, yielding an opportunity to guide them along their path towards happiness. Pause for a moment, as assuredly there is excitement to our discovery; witness the struggles of self and others seeking their deepest desires. Tell them nothing, unless asked, and give a humble understanding of what may or may not have worked within our own lives. Instead of telling another, invite them to see things differently…allowing them to come to their truths about reality.
Our guidance of self shall display through our daily lives. As we go about our days in happiness, with others seeking happiness, we invite them to remain present. True guidance does not come from telling but through the invitation of self-discovery.
2. Providing a Service
Our greatest offering to the world is through service. It is through this channel of giving that we receive. Whatever work we are to do through the day, may it be through servitude for the greater good.
Our greatest avenue towards happiness is through servitude towards humanity. Whether great or small, we give back to the world through our humble hearts. What are we doing to serve others? What can we do?
Share a smile, lend a hand, and be there for another when in need. However that looks to you, do more of that. It is a win-win situation for all parties in any given situation. Is there negativity present? Acknowledge and allow it to pass. Is there gossip being passed? Diffuse it and share the good instead.
We take on a deeper understanding of others through our understanding of self. Through our faults, we accept the faults of others. Service can come from simply being kind and understanding to another.
Just for today, ask, “How might I better serve?”
3. Inspiring vs. Inspired
This is a great divine paradox. We unknowingly inspire others to challenge themselves to see through the heart’s eyes as we are inspired. How do we inspire others? There is nothing to be done but just be inspired. The universe will take care of the rest. Through our inspired living, others shall be inspired to hold their own space, making room for a deeper understanding of happiness.
If there is one thing we can do, encourage others to keep seeking their greatest desires. Whatever it may be, we can encourage them to follow their heart’s desires, accepting their inspiring tale.
Just for today, ask, “What is my greatest desire? How do I achieve this goal? How can I inspire others? Please write down this idea of inspiring hope for self and allow it to inspire others throughout the days ahead.
