The cream rises to the top. That means that it separates itself from the milk. Perhaps that is what the New Age Movement is really all about. We tell ourselves that it's lonely at the top. Yes, it is. Maybe we have to figure out how to maintain ourselves as cream, but also stay whipped up within the milk? I'm picturing some sort of luscious desert all decadent and wonderful... like hot cocoa with the marshmallows stirred in rather than just floating on top. But then the marshmallow is no longer a unique wonderful treat, it's been broken down into the masses and lost it's integrity. It's a different lesson that comes into play after you've experienced a decent bit of enlightenment and growth.
Look at the kid who grows up poor. He travels along his journey and decides to change what he is experiencing. So, as he moves through life, he makes a conscious effort to enlighten himself about how to create an abundant lifestyle. He eventually accomplishes his goals and has a wonderful house, cars, money to vacation with his wife and children. His kids won't have to work so hard. He has their college money stashed away right alongside of his retirement fund. He is abundant, successful, and rich. What are the chances that the friends he grew up with are still around? Not very good. Most people who experience the fulfillment of choosing to succeed in that area end up having to leave their friends behind. Often family members will get upset and shun them too. He is treated like some sort of a bad person for having succeeded while his peers failed. Eventually he has to find new friends and maybe even new family.
It's no different with political enlightenment, spiritual enlightenment, or even becoming enlightened about relating to each other. The more mentally healthy you become, the more spiritual, the more balanced, the more wealthy, the more global you become... the more alone you may feel. Often, we find ourselves unable to find those other rare individuals who are choosing the same path as ours. The path of sloppy and lazy is full of other people to meet and talk to. The path of whiners is full The path of being safe, generic, and boring is so crowded you almost cannot even move forward. Isn't that why you left that path? You had a need to move forward, a need for some elbowroom, a need to spread your arms wide, a need to be seen as special, unique, different. The masses may admire you, but they are not going to be able to really relate to you. You will be alone much of the time.
The best thing that has happened to those of us on this particular path is the Internet. The planet just got a whole lot smaller and we can find our colleagues. The percentages of us versus them have not changed. We are still in the minority, but at least we can find each other and encourage each other to hold strong. Knowing that there are others out there who are just like us makes it easier to hold our heads up high, throw our shoulders back, and say loud and clear, "I am what I am and I am not ashamed and I will not hide anymore." This holds true whether you are standing up proud to be a Christian, or Gay, or New Age, or amassing wealth, or raising your kids to be more than just disgruntled employees. When you become enlightened in some area, it is wonderful to find out that you are not alone, and through the Internet, you can find cheerleaders.
Yes, I suppose some could gather up their numbers and start wars and battles over religions or whatever else, but as we become more and more enlightened on all levels, I think we learn to appreciate the value of being on all paths. We learn that it is not important for all people to represent 'light' and to try to outshine the 'dark'. Without the 'dark' the 'light' has nothing to shine into. Those whom we deem as 'dark' actually give us purpose. They give us a reason to shine our own 'light' The act of war in and of itself is 'dark' and therefore you have lost your own 'light' while participating. I am not about to claim that I am above such things, just that in that moment of aggression, my own light does not shine no matter how valiant the cause.
I think it's the loneliness of personal growth that scares us into thinking we have to convert everyone else onto our path. Sometimes, it's an innocent zealousness over our newfound ideals and beliefs, but when people get really focused on converting others, it's usually out of a need to feel better about the sheer numbers. How many of us use the statistical head count of those who agree with us as proof and validation that we must be right? If you continue on with your own personal growth long enough, you will no longer require any one else's agreement to validate who or what you are. We are a social animal and as such will always hunger for connection with each other. But we will not always need to agree with each other in order to connect on a heart to heart level.
Do not be afraid of the loneliness of enlightenment. Do not force others to agree with you. Simply give your heart and know that you are growing and that they are free to grow or not. It is the nature of the game. We are all free to choose our paths. Even in going so far as to kill someone for their belief, you did not change their belief, you just weakened your own cause. If we are truly spiritual, then we must be able to allow others the privilege of being wrong!
Copyright 2004, Skye Thomas, Tomorrow's Edge
About The Author
Skye Thomas began writing books and articles with an everyday practical approach to life in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, astrology, personal growth, motivation, and parenting. After years of high heels and business clothes, she is currently enjoying working from home in her pajamas. Go to www.TomorrowsEdge.net to read more of her articles and to get a free preview of one of her books.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|


How many times have you heard this in your life?... Read More
As one who has suffered from the long, term effects... Read More
Deep within man dwells some vast slumbering powers and abilities... Read More
Are you afraid of your own best ideas? Do you... Read More
We often find ourselves in a situation in which we... Read More
Inside of every one of us is the desire to... Read More
Be careful what you believe because that is what you... Read More
Someone wrote me an email a couple of weeks ago... Read More
Procrastination is when ever we postpone a task or duty... Read More
Daily action towards a goal is the fastest way to... Read More
If you are not as productive as you'd like or... Read More
The only reason some people enjoy success while others fail... Read More
-Lack of a specific purpose in life. You can not... Read More
"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what... Read More
Recently a person attended one of my goal setting seminars... Read More
"I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take... Read More
THE BRAINThe Brain is the instrument of the mind, the... Read More
Do you ever get those Sunday night blues? Dreading the... Read More
Our physical brains quickly and easily handle mundane sequences of... Read More
Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More
Several years ago, my husband introduced me to some potential... Read More
Procrastination is a complicated behavior that affects all people to... Read More
"If today were the last of all days........" - Marilyn... Read More
Every day clients tell me about their problems, often in... Read More
When people begin to investigate career change, often they don't... Read More
The importance of will-power is recognized by most men, yet... Read More
Talk about a strong finish! In their inspiring story of... Read More
A King was trying to choose between three maidens to... Read More
As we begin a new year, it's natural to reflect... Read More
"Know Yourself" That's what the big guy said way back... Read More
Are you having a hard time getting things done? Are... Read More
Q. I've been working on a big project for a... Read More
Prepare, prepare, prepare! The horizon screams of spring and the... Read More


The "System" ? the overall structure and organization of this... Read More
When it comes right down to it where ever you... Read More
"I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take... Read More
Yesterday at the dinner table, my eleven-year-old daughter asked me,... Read More
As many of you know I have a passion for... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
You'd be surprised. Maybe amazed. If you could see the... Read More
Read that again. It doesn't say "We like the things... Read More
Everyone goes through that "in the blues" feeling once in... Read More
Gail Lindenfield is a well-known British author who has written... Read More
I once heard a statement that no matter how good... Read More
What do you do when you make a big mistake?... Read More
Did you realize that as much as 47% of the... Read More
Are your filing cabinets stuffed so full that it's difficult... Read More
A friend of mine read the article, How to Use... Read More
We can all learn a valuable lesson about the types... Read More
Procrastination is when ever we postpone a task or duty... Read More
Are you putting off your dreams until you have money?... Read More
Hello,How is your day coming along? Better, I am sure,... Read More
Tony Robbins has been an inspiration for millions. Love him... Read More
--Choose a motivational quote related to your goal. Don't have... Read More
How dramatically we can change our results is largely a... Read More
This article provides constructive tips about facing retrenchment and moving... Read More
Most of the time whenever we need to make an... Read More
Throughout my life I have observed many things and I... Read More
How many times have you heard this in your life?... Read More
Me and Mao Tse-Tung!My first political experience was with Mao... Read More
Never underestimate the power of persistence!If you persist you really... Read More
Building Energy Around your Investment!For a century or more men... Read More
Procrastination is a complicated behavior that affects all people to... Read More
Ever begin doing something that you do for a few... Read More
From the 'What You Need to Succeed' SeriesEvery once in... Read More
What can you do when you do not feel like... Read More
Motivation |