An Empty Can Is Just an Empty Can!
By Rev. Violet
“An empty can is just an empty can” came to mind during my morning meditation. Empty cans of dog food on their way to the recycling bin is my daily experience. I rinse them out and move forward.
Not a big deal and yet it is my relationship to those cans that makes the difference. Am I grateful for the energy they bring to my canine friend Yanni, or do I resent having to pay high prices for them?
A story I recently read demonstrates the idea of the shared experience of relationship building. A sheep farmer was faced with a difficult situation when neighbors moved in next door to him with children and two dogs. As the dogs were allowed to run free, they began killing the farmer’s sheep. Out of the kindness of his heart, the farmer gave his neighbors’ children a lamb for a pet. The neighbors happily tied up their dogs to keep the lamb safe. A friendly relationship was established and not an angry word was spoken; gratitude coming from a humble heart.
Last Sunday I visited a church where belief systems were very unlike mine; the kind of oppositional situations we see all over our country; all over the World really. I have many times talked about and believe that the answer to creating comfort and peace in our world is to come together on common ground. As I have so often learned, I was visiting this church for a reason.
To my surprise, I found common ground when the minister said, “Please bow your humble hearts in prayerful thanksgiving.” My heart felt at home at that special moment. That simple prayer demonstrated to me that it is possible to move beyond outside appearances and touch hearts without making a big deal of the matter. I felt a sense of what I sometimes call worship, a sense of the sacred connection to the whole of life on the planet and beyond. Coming together on common ground no matter what outside appearances seem to be, creates the comfort necessary for fulfilling relationships.
As a result, a few days later, I met with the minister that had touched my heart with his humble prayer. We talked about our differences and how we could come together, respecting each other and our belief systems. We left our meeting as friends and the plan to continue moving forward together, closing the gap of insecurity because of differences. To me that is the upper room of conscious awareness that I intend to continue moving into. I have chosen to honor my own opinions and belief systems, and to honor the beliefs and opinions of others.
AN EMPTY CAN IS JUST AN EMPTY CAN. It is my relationship to it that makes a difference. The same is true of all of life on the planet. It is my relationship to it that makes my life complete. For me every heart matters. This is a form of self-care. I care about myself and I care about others. I experience this story of LOVE everywhere I go: in the grocery store, walking down the street, from neighbors and friends, in restaurants. It is everywhere I go. “I humbly bow my heart in gratitude for this opportunity for me to share my heart with you.” This is the story of Love I feel from you. I am grateful for the opportunity to be of service in this world. And so it is! And so it ever shall be!
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