“For each child that’s born the morning star rises
and sings to the universe who we are.”*
Yesterday was my birthday. Those of you who know me personally already know this because, well, Facebook. Because it was my birthday, and the microcosm of my acquaintance is represented on my virtual “wall” in loving messages wishing me well, I am acutely aware today of our connection. Thank you for that.
I am also acutely aware that these connections represent my “bubble”. Even with the understanding of the “six degrees” which separate each of us from every other person, there are millions of other souls on this planet with whom I have no direct connection, and with whom I am unlikely to ever come into contact. People with experiences and perspectives of both tremendous and nuanced diversity.
“We are our grandmothers’ prayers,
And we are our grandfathers’ dreamings.
We are the breath of our ancestors,”*
These people and I, with our different backgrounds, experiences, sensibilities, understandings… We are One. One family, one people, one human heritage… And we are not alone.
None of us are, you know. We feel it acutely at times, that profound sense of aloneness, but there are people who care everywhere around us. People who are listening to our cries of anguish, or of jubilation. People who share our humanity.
“Happy Birthday” is wonderful, and it helps me to feel loved and connected, but the greatest advantage I am afforded from it is that it reminds me to reach out beyond my everyday interactions with the people in my life.
“We are the spirit of God.”*
Reach out to someone you haven’t seen or spoken to for a long while, or perhaps ever. Let them know that they are on your mind, without any expectation of their response. Remind them that they are not alone, that you are out there, and that you are listening. Remind them that they are part of the Oneness that cradles us all.
~ Christiana
*Opening lyrics of the hymn We Are…, by Dr. Ysaye Barnwell
