CATALYST NEWS

Eva Dahm, CPCC, MA

March, 2003

Dedicated to your growth and exploration.

OUR NATION AT WAR

Seems like only a few days ago, everyone in Chicago was so excited to see the sun and shed his or her heavy coat for a few hours. I feel like on March 19 we all were "gut punched" and asked to get dreadfully serious with a moment's notice.

I have been praying for weeks that there would be a last minute miracle to save the world from war-some sort of new information, a new perspective, a loving heart. But it was not meant to be.

My heart is hurting with the news of the beginnings of what will certainly get very dangerous and serious very fast. After all, it's not just a few countries trading blows. This is very serious stuff.

So in the midst of feeling fearful, feeling deep, deep sadness, feeling anger that this was the "solution" our country's leaders chose, I must acknowledge some other feelings.

I have a deep sense (as many do) that the world will be forever changed with this war. I was proud of all the people who spoke their minds on the topic. I was pleased to hear from people everywhere-not just in our own borders. A huge global debate was raging with people on all sides.

I believe that the number of people who hold a vision of the world as a peaceful and safe place is growing. I belong to a women's circle dedicated to spiritual growth and acceptance of others. I attend a church where a long-term positive view of the world community and all world citizens is held. I have been fortunate enough to join the coaching community where we all believe that we can impact the lives of individuals and groups and then spread the message of love and compassion via them.

My whole life has prepared me to be alive at this time and be one of the people who choose to focus on the eventual growth and learning from this seemingly negative and horrific event.

I do believe that the world is moving more towards peace and love. I treat myself with compassion, treat others with compassion, and hope they pass it along. I also believe that when we each take a moment to be silent and listen to our body and soul wisdom, that we know the value of such behavior both in our hearts at the end of the day and in our world in future months and years.

So I CHOOSE. I choose to believe that the despair I feel serves a higher purpose. I choose to thus step slightly out of despair. I choose to believe that any lives lost will have meaning. Thus step closer to love than sadness. I choose to believe that we can move away from a patriarchal view of power, battles to win, and people to shout down and replace it with a softer stance of working together, sharing with each other, and loving others. I choose to believe that the head games we play in the world can be converted to heart-felt caring for all living beings. I choose to pray for the highest possible good for all people involved. I choose to share this personal expression with each of you.

So you are at a moment of choice (in another minute, you are at another moment of choice). Do you choose fear, hate, and anger as the place to stay? Or do you visit them and finally CHOOSE to be on the side of love, peace, and growth in humanity's sacredness. Which worldview will hold your focus?

I request that whatever your choice. PLEASE CHOOSE. Don't simply let the media (whose business is bad news), your partner, your boss or your pastor tell you what to pay attention to and focus on. What you choose for a focus will grow in you and in the world.

CHOOSE CAREFULLY

The future of our world and the seven generations depend upon your decision.