Life After "Like"

Have you noticed the intense postings on social networks? They can be about their family, their jobs or their personal appearance. Some will post updates on a traumatic experience. Many truly are in crisis and feel they have no where to turn. It was in one of these such postings that I thought of my parents.

My dad was born in 1920 and my mom in 1925. Both have passed now, but while they walked the earth their journey was often littered with roadblocks. Alcoholism and gambling were no strangers in our household. Money was always and issue as there were 10 mouths to feed and a meager paycheck to rely on. The roof leaked continually and the heat never seemed to reach every room. I often heard my mother crying and watched my father fade into his bottles of beer. What would they have posted?
Would they have had the time? I wonder...

And what of me...what would I have said? Would I have had the courage to tell anyone…I sure wasn't able to then. Luckily the trials and tribulations became less and less as the addictions were addressed and peace pulled up a chair in their home…eventually. But still, would they really have shared this, probably not. Not because they didn't have some wonderful truths to impart, but most likely the internet never would have been a form of communication that they would ever become comfortable with. My parents probably would want to send them a card. If my father knew of the individual he would most likely want to send them a home cooked meal (he was a fantastic cook!) My parents used food to show their love. They both grew up very poor and having a meal meant the world to the them.

My heart truly goes out to some of the posts I have read. I see such heartache and turmoil. I hear and feel their pain and wonder what agony they must be in to post  things like "I can't and don't want to be me anymore, I hate myself, and I wish this would all go away." I want to encourage them, tell them they are not alone. But often I do not reply to their statements as I feel it seems to become a static that doesn't find its way through the storm. And so I usually, if I feel led, will contact them in a more personal way.

Somehow posting smiley faces, little hearts or worse yet… LIKE doesn't feel like a response I would want to receive.

And what about that LIKE? What does it mean? Does it mean that the person "likes" that you are in pain. Or is it a way to say, "I hear you and I feel for you--I validate what you have written." Who really knows? That is the point. The person hurting is left with never really knowing what was meant by "like."

Use integrity if you choose to respond. Use a careful attitude and do it in a loving way. Take responsibility for your actions. You can make a world of difference in someone's life by being a good listener. Just validating their pain and listening is very helpful. Most are not asking you to fix anything–they just want someone to know they are hurting.

I think there are many ways to reach out to someone and perhaps this social network is a place to do this. But as you continue along this path always remember that your words are powerful and yes even your clicking "like" has its meaning. Life continues after you hit that button for you and for the person who is struggling. Be love and light in this world and stop before you click and think of how you will be received.
::

To learn how you can meditate please read my book Sæ-sii Meditation: How to Find Your Bliss in 15 Minutes a Day

Song Messages Outa the Blue

How often do you tune into the music in your head? I'm not referring to the tunes you sing along with on the radio, although these hold wonderful truths for us. I am talking about the songs brought to you seemingly out of thin air.

Meditation can help raise your vibration and help you "tune into" the music language that is being channeled daily. It might sound outrageous but you are being given wonderful insightful, encouraging, loving messages daily. Like the whale songs that continue to baffle scientists it is a message that many cannot decipher. Perhaps if you continue to strengthen your connection the songs will begin to reveal their intention. They are personal and designed for you alone.

Two of my sisters are facing serious forks in the roads along their journey of life. One is quitting her job as a special education teacher, selling her house and moving from the north eastern part of the US to a warmer climate. Her severely handicapped child needs more of her attention and in spite of the fact that our economy is in a slump she is forging ahead with her plans.  She will be creating a garden and using herbs to work with aroma therapy. She has a masters degree in child psychology and is now ready to focus on something she feels will be more beneficial for HERSELF instead of the public school system.
The other sister lost her husband last spring and just found out that the company she's working for is probably shutting down. She has worked as a pharmacist for many years and functions in a stressful environment and believe it or not is only allowed a 15 minute lunch break that she takes sitting in her car. She faced a crisis of being suddenly alone after 39 years of marriage and now she may be without a job that she has relied upon for years.

Their future plans are both cloudy at the moment. Both of them meditate daily and each have been given some incredible messages through music. I have been getting these messages for some time now and I am learning to de-code them as they have helped me tremendously. The songs will appear during a meditation or shortly after and they will stay stuck in our heads until we give it to the intended person ie., deliver the message - or decipher the lyrics and connect.

Both sisters chatted on the phone last night discussing their possible futures. One of them was given this song in her meditation today:

I've Got a Name
Like the pine trees lining the winding road
I've got a name
I've got a name
Like the singing bird and the croaking toad
I've got a name
I've got a name
And I carry it with me like my daddy did
But I'm living the dream that he kept hid
Moving me down the highway
Rolling me down the highway
Moving ahead so life won't pass me by
Like the North wind whistling down the sky
I've got a song
I've got a song
Like the whip-poor-will and the babies crying
I've got a song
I've got a song
And I carry it with me and I sing it proud
If it gets me nowhere, I'll go there proud
Moving me down the highway
Rolling me down the highway
Moving ahead so life won't pass me by
And I'm gonna go there free
Like the fool I am and I'll always be
I've got a dream
I've got a dream
They can change their minds but they can't change me
I've got a dream
I've got a dream
I know I could share it if you want me to
If your going my way I'll go with you
Moving me down the highway
Rolling me down the highway
Moving ahead so life won't pass me by
Moving me down the highway
Rolling me down the highway
Moving ahead so life won't pass me by

Learn to listen to the personal messages being brought to you. It can begin with meditation.
To learn how please visit Meditation Mojo.