Like many of you, I’ve been watching the news reports roll in on the tragic earthquake in Haiti with deep sadness. It’s so heartbreaking to see so much loss and suffering. As I watched the news from my peaceful living room in Sedona, I couldn’t help but feel so far away from the images of pain and turmoil. I wondered what I could do to make a difference. I felt powerless looking at the dramatic scale of suffering; if only I could discover a new superpower that could reverse this huge disaster, along with all the other tragedies we’ve experienced. But, then I reminded myself that sometimes no matter how much you want to change something, we all have to live life on life’s terms. We must turn our challenges over to God, yet continue to do what we can.
So, what can you and I do? We live in a global community where one person can truly make a difference. I speak often about how all of our personal stories are weaved together into our greater global tale. We are one. A disaster such as the earthquake in Haiti is a call for selflessness and compassion. Even doing something small for a greater cause touches lives. Like many people, I’ve been donating money through the American Red Cross text campaign for the Haiti relief effort. I’ve also been praying—if you can’t give financial support, remember the incredible power of prayer and service.
As the High Lord of Gratitude and Service from my Wisdom of the Hidden Realms oracle deck says, “Through small actions and selfless service to another, you’re automatically placed upon your highest path, whether you’re immediately aware of it or not.” When you step onto that path of selfless service, you open yourself to your higher knowing and intuition. You also can make the world a better place.
It’s like that song, “We Are the World,” which was released in 1985 to raise money for Africa relief. It starts like this:
There comes a time ?When we head a certain call ?When the world must come together as one ?There are people dying ?And it’s time to lend a hand to life ?The greatest gift of all
We can’t go on ?Pretending day by day ?That someone, somewhere will soon make a change ?We are all a part of ?God’s great big family ?And the truth, you know love is all we need
Incidentally Quincy Jones has just announced he is recording a new version of “We Are the World” that will be released as a charity single to benefit earthquake survivors in Haiti. And, even after the spotlight moves on we need to remember that our help will still be needed. We need continue to give and pray for not only the earthquake victims in Haiti for years to come, but also keep the victims of other tragedies such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami close to our hearts.
Prayer: Close your eyes and imagine your heart opening and a beam of light is sent out filled with love to every suffering person in Haiti. Pray that help comes to them to ease their troubles through this difficult transition. Give your attention to their plight everyday in prayer for at least 5 minutes. Prayer has power even over great distances.
Here’s an exercise to help you nurture your higher path of prayer and service.
Exercise: Take some time today to meditate on what compassion and selflessness means to you. What causes are close to your heart? What steps can you take to support that cause today? Remember, even small acts of selflessness and compassion are important!
