Hear Me Universe #77. Pacifist

I wanted to attract a partner who would choose peace over war and love over hate. A peace-lover, even a conscientious objector if the need arises, is an energy that I simply want more of in the world. I believe that any one person can move the proverbial mountain, and I wanted to share my life with a person who would join me in choosing peace.  The song, “Let There Be Peace On Earth,” that emerged from the folksong movement of the late 50’s is the pacifists’ mantra:Let there be peace on earth,and let it begin with me;let there be peace on earth,the peace that was meant to be.With God our creator,family all are we.Let us walk with each otherin perfect harmony.I know it sounds lofty and unrealistic to some, but for me, I choose to walk with others harmoniously now, in this lifetime.

Hear Me Universe #76. Humanitarian

To me, a humanitarian is altruistic, generous, kind, and sympathetic. On a global scale, humanitarian efforts bridge the gap between what is needed and what public service can do in a time of crisis. Whether the crisis be floods or famine or wars or disease, organized humans step forward to assist, to offer aid, and to show compassion. On a local scale, the same gaps exist, and I believe we each can take even small action and it will make a difference.A humanitarian’s heart is filled with compassion—enough compassion to spark action. I wrote this item on my love list to attract someone with that kind of heart, because the combination of two hearts that are selfless, thoughtful, and take even small action for the betterment of others starts the ripple. And, starting with yourself—with a kind act of service—spreads in ways that you’ll never even know.

Hear Me Universe #75. Likes Music

You’ve read this one before, at #40. Yes, “likes music” is one of only two characteristics I included on my list—twice. Clearly, it was important to me to claim that I wanted to attract a partner who also has a deep affinity for music.The way this item made my list twice was because I wrote with the mindset that I would write down whatever came to mind—no judgment, no second guessing.  It’s important in the creative process to just allow what comes into our consciousness to be important.Writing your love list IS an act of creation, and it begins with your imagination. Nothing, ever, was created that didn’t begin in someone’s imagination. Use the creative power you have, allow yourself to be outrageous, and write from your heart. So what if you list something twice! You have 100 items to write to begin the design of what you’re calling into your experience.And, no doubt, if something ends up on your list twice, it just means you really, really want that experience.

Hear Me Universe #74. Takes Responsibility

When I wrote this item on my love list, my intention was to attract someone who knows that we each have a critical role to play in this world, and we are here to make a difference. I believe we are moving into a new age on this planet where people, everywhere, are waking up to an understanding of the authority we each truly have.We can choose to live this life buying from companies that use materials and ingredients in products that are unhealthy to both humans and the planet. We can choose to passively accept governments that create policy favoring corporations over citizens. We can choose to declare that environmental problems are someone else’s to solve.Or, we can all choose to take responsibility for individual and global challenges. We can each do something, no matter how small.Humans have long been willing to turn over control to others or to numbing ourselves so that we don’t feel, and I believe it’s largely because we forget how incredibly powerful we truly are. As researcher-storyteller Brené Brown writes, “we are the most in-debt, obese, addicted and medicated adult cohort in U.S. history.” Taking personal responsibility is the first step to creating a ripple effect.I invite you to say, "I will," and play the role that only YOU can play to create positive change in your life, in the life of your community, in the history of your country, and for the betterment of this planet.

Hear Me Universe #73. Quick to Say, "I'm Sorry"

What if, when you did something that you immediately regretted, you pushed rewind quickly? If you could quickly undo what you said out of frustration? If you were to catch yourself in the middle of being selfish and reverse the momentum?Would it felt better for everyone?Being quick to say, “I’m sorry,” is a sign of an introspective mind, an ability to self-assess, and, really, a metacognitive marvel. We humans possess that skill—to think about our own thinking—and when we exercise it, I believe we tap into our truest wisdom and powerful.In a safe & loving relationship, it should be okay to say, “I’m sorry,” quickly, because in that act of compassion, your partner can extend compassion back, can offer understanding, can ask questions about your emotion, and can keep any defenses from rising up.Try it. Next time you KNOW you’ve acted from frustration or anger or fear or jealousy, say those two words. Watch what happens. Notice how you feel more grounded for having shown vulnerability.

Hear Me Universe #72. Humble

Humble literally means "on the ground," and is from late 18th century Latin meaning, ‘‘soil.’’ To me, humble indicates a grounded quality, someone who is firmly established in who he is and stands in awe of both the profoundness and ephemeral nature of human life. I intended to attract a match to this sense of wonder, admiration and amazement that I feel about the duality our humanness and divinity.I offer this beautiful poem by the Sufi poet, Hafiz, to capture that feel of miracle and reverence that humility embodies.All the HemispheresLeave the familiar for a while.Let your senses and bodies stretch outLike a welcomed seasonOnto the meadow and shores and hills.Open up to the Roof.Make a new watermark on your excitementAnd love.Like a blooming night flower,Bestow your vital fragrance of happinessAnd givingUpon our intimate assembly.Change rooms in your mind for a day.All the hemispheres in existenceLie beside an equatorIn your heart.Greet YourselfIn your thousand other formsAs you mount the hidden tide and travelBack home.All the hemispheres in heavenAre sitting around a fireChattingWhile stitching themselves togetherInto the Great Circle inside ofYou.The stanza, "All the hemisphere in heaven/Are sitting around a fire/Chatting/While stitching themselves together/Into the Great Circle inside of/You," captures the source of humility: All is inside of You, and You are All of the wholeness of heaven. To grasp this significance is a humbling experience.