Fire!

Have you ever woken up from a dream and felt like it was real?

Have you ever woken up from a sleep to remember that something very difficult DID happen to you, and it was not a dream?

As we turn our minds towards the fires that recently happened in Los Angeles, leaving many people’s homes, businesses, and lives completely turned upside down; take a moment to learn from this circumstance with compassion and endurance. When big events, such as, the fires in Maui, the war in Gaza, and many momentous events throughout history, I can’t help but try to learn from these deeply emotional moments in a way that aids me in my life to be looking deeper into the meaning of life and “Who am I?”.

I don’t mean this is a selfish way, but in a selfless way. I noticed as I was scrolling through social media that many people were sharing information about how someone could help. There were also people sharing if they were safe, and resources for people who were affected to contact for assistance or help. Many people were sharing how sad they were and many people were at a loss of words for the event that occured. These are all common reactions to an event of this impact and tragedy.

As I am watching this unfold, feeling the sadness for the people affected, I look out the window and notice what lies before me. How much a difference it can be from looking at the world on my phone, our televisions, and so on, to what is sitting right before my eyes. Is this all a dream? Only a couple weeks ago, it was as if nothing was ever going to happen. We were all just celebrating the holidays.

Many of you don’t know, but I spent a year as a volunteer for the American Red Cross of Montana. I learned a lot about the impact disasters hold on people. One of the things I took away was how isolating it can be to be the only house that burned up on the block. All of it is a tragedy and none of it needs to be downplayed, but whether it is one and an entire community, it matters deeply to the person affected.

So remind yourself, is this a dream? Whether something good or something bad happened to you or not, maybe it really is all a dream. Maybe all the weight is self imposed via the expectations of how life should be from our minds, maybe we can look at things differently than what we were taught to see. We once were young children, waking up to breakfast with our parents, family, so on. Then we become the adults with children, family, and others we look after, waking up to a body, mind, a belief system that is completely different from what it was many years ago or maybe just a day ago.

I ask you to question. I ask you to inquire. I ask you to deeply search within yourself to wonder what this is, what this is all about. It can start with a yoga class, a meditation, a breath while looking out the window. Whatever it is, contemplate what you are inviting into your life, what you are allowing, what you are dreaming, what is truly before you, and what you can let go. Be Courageous, be that fire that burns up what no longer serves you, maybe even burning up everything you thought you had, and start again.

To all those affected by the fires in Los Angeles, my deepest condolences. You are so strong. This is a great loss. Take time, grieve, and when you’re ready you will see new life growing again. It will never be the same, it will look totally different, but we will patiently wait to see those wildflowers blossom in the hills of your life.