Finding Grace in the Chaos

I was shocked and saddened this morning to see the news of the tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado. My thoughts and prayers immediately went to the families touched by this incident – hoping and knowing that they can feel the massive amount of love being sent their way during this difficult and unexplainable time.

I tried to think of a response I could share that would matter – that would mean something. But, I can’t and won’t pretend to know anything about what those families are going through.

Instead, I would like to share an e-mail I received from a friend a few days ago. Sanford Wilder is the Founder of The Educare Unlearning Institute. Educare is a big part of the inspiration behind my creation of 30 Days of YES, and Sandy continues to be one of my closest friends and mentors.

With Sandy’s permission, I would like to post his Educare daily thought from a few nights ago. In this time of confusion, frustration, and anger – I hope you will feel comforted by the grace expressed in Sandy’s post.

A tragedy can appear to shake the very foundation upon which we exist day-to-day. This is completely understandable. It often makes us question everything we hold as real and true.

There is no one “right” way to look at a tragedy in your life. But, there are ways to grow through the experience, when you are ready. We can’t force this growth… When you are ready may be when you find seeds strewn from the devastating experience beginning to gently give birth to a wider and deeper affection than you had even before the event.

At some point your resilient identity starts to re-emerge in a new form… You may have felt buried and out of it, like a bulb in the winter, but now find yourself meekly poking through the rugged soil of daily experience, to breathe new air. Imagine what a bulb might be feeling as it sprouts new shoots and starts to feel unmistakably larger, pulled toward the light…

This is not something we fabricate with the mind, to make things somehow “better.” It is not something we “do.” It is something that grows within our heart…until it can no longer be contained, but must be released. We can’t stop it. It is the activity and presence of Grace.

What can you do to help this natural growth process? Be open to it. When you are ready. You will know. And until then, it’s OK. You are just how you need to be. Always.

Thank you Sandy! If you would like to receive the Educare Daily Thought, or just find out more about Sandy and the Educare programs – click here.