True Colors

Thus far this year has been ...well ...interesting -- both personally and globally.  I quipped to a friend just the other day that I think "interesting" has become the new "normal."  With all the crazy things going on in the world, I have found myself questioning how I found myself in such a bizarro reality ( "Bizarro" in the Superman sense of the word -- or Seinfeld sense if you prefer -- of being "weirdly inverted or opposite of expectations").  It has been disorienting, discouraging, and disheartening as I ask myself, "Did I take a wrong turn somewhere? What the heck is going on?!"

Then an interesting thought occurred to me -- What if the world really did end in 2012 as it was predicted to, and we just didn't notice?  This brings up one of my favorite quotes from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy~

"There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened."  ~Douglas Adams

 I'm not saying that the Earth blew up and we're all walking around not realizing we are actually dead -- though wouldn't that be interesting?  I'm thinking again of the Shamanic death-and-rebirth cycle so familiar to pretty much anyone on a spiritual path.  The old world literally died, and now we are in the birth pains of a new world.  It's interesting to think of these things happening on a global level, to everybody, rather than just individually as I am used to. 

A number of years ago I heard a woman speaking about the coming Age of Aquarius, which we have just entered, and the one thing she said that has stuck with me since then is, "Birth is messy! Birth is bloody! Birth is painful!" Yep, that about covers it.

Remember also that this is the year of the Snake -- All this stuff that doesn't feel good, the stuff that feels like really old, really backward ways of thinking and being, is coming to the surface as part of a cleansing, flushing out, sloughing off the old skin that doesn't fit us anymore.  It seems dark, and possibly apocalyptic, but it is temporary.

What this line of thinking has brought up for me was a revelation I had after 911.  I had similar feelings of being in a world, and in a country, that seemed so foreign to me -- that I didn't belong in --with all the soaring attitudes of vengeance, revenge, chest-beating us v.s. them patriotism, and a weird sense of  'justice' that had nothing to do with dealing with the original issues. I was driving to work one morning when I asked myself out loud, "What am I doing in a world I don't fit in?"  Almost instantly it struck me. That's exactly why I am here -- because I don't fit in! That is my gift to the world and why I'm here -- to bring a different view to the world. To introduce new ideas and perspectives.  It's kind of like the way I think of all the things you get picked on for in school as a kid, later become your strengths and the things that set you apart -- the gifts you have for the world.

It is times like this, as tempting as it is to curl up, shrink back, and withdraw, that we need do the opposite. It is especially important at times like this that we find and share our voice.  The world needs you.  Seriously it does!  You are not here by accident with your unique set of talents.  And I'm not talking about marching on Washington, but simply living your life.  Change your own little world.  Bring beauty to your own little bubble of reality, and the entire world benefits.  You touch and influence everyone around you, who in turn touches and influences everyone around them, and so on and so on.  All these bubbles intersect and touch others, and if you ever doubt this, simply look at how small a world it has become with the intersecting circles of people on Facebook.  We really are powerful when we focus that power on where we are and what we're doing.

What originally started me on this whole thought stream was the song that shares the title of this post.  I heard it the other night when I was feeling discouraged (which is why the first couple lines really grabbed my attention) and every lyric resonated with me like it never has before -- And I've been finding renewed strength and encouragement through it.  The world needs you, now more than ever, to show your True Colors~~ 

You with the sad eyes

Don't be discouraged

Oh, I realize

It's hard to take courage

In a world full of people

You can lose sight of it all

And the darkness inside you

Can make you feel so small

But I see your true colors

Shining through

I see your true colors

And that's why I love you

So don't be afraid to let them show

Your true colors

True colors

Are beautiful like a rainbow

Show me a smile then,

Don't be unhappy

Can't remember when

I last saw you laughing

If this world makes you crazy

And you've taken all you can bear

You call me up

Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors

Shining through

I see your true colors

And that's why I love you

So don't be afraid to let them show

Your true colors

Your true colors

Are beautiful like a rainbow

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