Tools in the Toolbox

I often heard my husband say “to be a really good carpenter you have to have lots of tools in your toolbox so you can be prepared for what ever is needed to do the job.”

While I'm not a carpenter I think it is a beautiful metaphor for life. I have spent my adult life building a toolbox of a different kind. The toolbox of a seeker. A seeker of inner knowing, ancient wisdom, education, spirituality, health, communication and understanding to name a few. Along the way I have amassed very useful and practical tools that work for me.

This week I've certainly felt the need to carefully go through my tools to find the ones that would help me navigate the mental, emotional, energetic and spiritual fallout of the election results. Being in sacred spaces, journaling, connecting with like minded people, making sure I'm grounded and centered, and not listening to any news has pulled me through.

Sitting with my journal I would ask myself and then answer these 4 beautiful questions over and over. To me they seemed deep and in need of answering more than once.

1. What gets in the way of my seeing the sacred in everything?
2. Do I notice when I can surrender the burden that is troubling me, I can breathe easier?
3. What if the key to life satisfaction is less about figuring out stuff and more about resting in holy unknowing?
4. How can I make this conversation about (fill in the blank) a healing moment instead of one that causes more suffering?

In addition I received this partial poem written by Nadia Bolz Webber that has become my daily prayer when emotions come up:

“God (or word of your choosing) if it is possible to remind us that millions of human beings throughout history have lived through worse political situations and still managed to make art, and find joy, and share meals and resist despair, could you do that for us please? And then keep guiding us toward their wisdom.”

Wishing you a peaceful heart, hope and an open mind as you find and use your tools in the days to come.