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Words to Grow By Focus On Caring by Mary Bell Nyman |
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hile hurricane Katrina finished pounding
the south, the effects of it were forecast to come up through Goshen, near
Louisville, Kentucky, where I sat at the bedside of my dying father. He was on
five liters of oxygen and was still having a hard time breathing. Louisville was
already in severe thunderstorms and four to six inches of rain were forecast.
When it storms that hard, the power can easily go out.
We scrambled to find a generator to keep his oxygen machine running, and brought in a 24-hour supply of bottled oxygen as well. In between caring for him, we huddled around the TV and watched as the first images of the south came in. Like everyone, I was devastated by the suffering of all the people in the hurricane's wake. While I was worried for my father and the night ahead, at least we weren't trying to survive 100-plus mph winds and flooding as well.
In that moment of watching and worrying, it became so clear to me that all of us suffer, no one is exempt. Suffering is universal and will always be present. It didn't matter if the people affected by the storm were black, white, Asian, Jewish, Catholic, Baptist, Hindu or Muslim. It just didn't matter. What did matter was how we acted - that we supported each other. It mattered that love overcame fear, prejudice, economic status, and that the human spirit prevailed.
I'm not saying it was done perfectly. We all know that it wasn't. But what does count is that people started helping each other and rescuing others. They were taking risks and making a difference. Money, food, clothes, houses, furniture and more all began to pour in, donated from individuals who responded to the call. Oprah, Dr. Phil, Chris Rock, Julia Roberts, just to name a few, made it real for all of us at home. The footage they broadcast touched our hearts and made us want to respond even more. It took our focus off war and onto each other instead. Giving, sharing what we have, reaching out and making a difference - this aspect of community service is what we were born to do. We are doing it because it is in our nature to love each other. I believe one day businesses will voluntarily give a percentage of their income to a fund that wipes out world hunger. It will be an honor to participate.
The biggest changes in our country have never come from
the government. They have come because the people have demanded it. People, and
that means us, will always be the catalyst. Give in the way that works for you,
and after you have done that, find a quiet time to sit down and meditate or pray
for each person affected by the hurricane. Send them thoughts of comfort and
love. Let them know they are not alone and that we hear them and honor them. We
are all victims of suffering and love is the only way out of it. Find comfort
in your own circle of support and on the days you feel alone, tap
into the goodness
of the Universe. It is always there for you. Namaste. 
-Rev. Mary Bell Nyman Rev. Mary Bell Nyman is director of
the Psychic Horizons Center and has been teaching and reading for twenty-five
years. She teaches six-month clairvoyant and healing classes. Call Mary at
303-554-6465 or send email to marybell@frii.com for a reading or information.
