Hi, I’m Chris and I’m an active, busy mom of two wee ones, ages 5 and 2, an amateur photographer, writer and a long-time ReEnchanter.
The saying goes that everyone has a story. And so does our planet, the foundation on which we move, work, dance, talk, disagree and love every day. The Earth has always talked to us, and now it is demanding that we listen.
When it comes to the declining health of our planet, we say the right things, write the right words, sing the right songs, march for the right causes. The words are there. So is the sentiment. Yet as Mark so aptly pointed out, in the final analysis most of us act like we’re not responsible for any of the mess.
It’s easy to criticize those who are trying to find ways to correct the imbalance that is leading to global warming as well as the disconnection and disparity that exists between so many of us. It is more challenging to take the time and effort to work toward harmony with the earth and with each other. Convenience foods, convenience entertainment, disposable technology, low fuel costs, plastic bags at the grocery stores all beckon us to consume, consume, consume. It’s all so quick, clean and easy, isn’t it? We rarely see what happens behind the scenes. We rarely see the consequences of our actions. It’s easy to love this care-free arrangement.
Yet there are consequences. And the consequences are potentially catastrophic. Most of us are aware of the details.
In their blog posts, Marilyn and Mark have shared their ideas about what makes ReEnchant powerful and energizing. ReEnchant offers a roadmap, if you will, leading toward restoration. And the map will look different for each of us. Here is my own ReEnchant Life roadmap, the rules that I try to live by every day…
We’ve allowed ourselves to tune-out and coast along automatically. The ReEnchanted life requires you to take the time to consciously stop, tune-in, look and listen.
We’ve allowed ourselves to turn our eyes away from things that make us feel uncomfortable. The ReEnchanted life requires you to look at people, places and things, closely, critically and thoughtfully...even if it’s difficult.
We’ve allowed ourselves to walk away when the challenge is too difficult. The ReEnchanted life requires you to stay the course, asking for help when you need to.
We’ve allowed ourselves to be complacent and quiet in the face of injustice. The ReEnchant life requires you to speak out when something isn’t right.
We’ve allowed ourselves to feel powerless and ineffective. The ReEnchanted life requires you to re-discover the power you’ve always had…and use it.
We’ve allowed ourselves to experience the world and other people from the distance provided by technology. The ReEnchanted life requires you to live in-the-moment with real people.
We’ve allowed ourselves to have many more conversations from the comfort of our own homes. The ReEnchanted life promotes having face-to-face conversations whenever possible.
We’ve allowed ourselves to experience entire days, months and years without having contact with nature. The ReEnchanted life promotes sensual connections with the natural world.
We’ve allowed ourselves to hold technology sacred. The ReEnchanted life promotes holding relationships and nature in the highest esteem.
We’ve allowed ourselves to seek perfection regardless of the cost. The ReEnchanted life promotes noticing the Divine in the rough and raw.
We’ve allowed ourselves to disconnect from other generations, those who have many lessons to teach us. The ReEnchanted life promotes the connectivity between the old and the young, the strong and the weak, the healthy and the sick, the leaders and the lead.
We’ve allowed ourselves to live in fear: fear of each other, fear of “what if”, fear of…you name it. The ReEnchanted life promotes letting that wall of fear dissolve, encourages people to reveal their hopes, dreams and ideas and celebrates when synergy happens.
In closing, ReEnchant is a paradigm shift, but it’s not a new concept for many. We know how to live the ReEnchanted life; we just have to allow ourselves to remember. And then, most importantly, we have to take a deep breath and go do it.
Please feel free to share your own roadmap as part of this blog. What energizes you to take the steps necessary to rebalance yourself, your relationships, your work, your art and your world?
