Evolution or Devolution?

What will we ultimately choose?

We, the human family, must begin working as a team in earnest – not just occupying the same space, whether it is in common workplaces or communities. It is essential that we adhere to the same rules and mandates that perpetuate physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness – and cohesiveness – rather than the divisive nature that has become not only prevalent, but the norm.

Integrity is a key characteristic we are tasked to develop through the course of our lives – and uphold – in ourselves, holding ourselves accountable to ensure what we do reflects what we think and what we say. Doing so can only positively impact the quality of our interactions and the services we deliver, however small.

Our downward spiraling came into sharper focus during the pandemic, although I am pretty sure humanity has been on a downward trajectory for quite some time. Just visits to the supermarket provided glimpses of selective disregard for rules. The pandemic afforded us myriad possibilities to witness what had not been working in our lives, both individually and collectively.

Where is the follow through? And when does it become evident that rules are not to be selectively enforced or followed?

Perhaps you remember when the aisles were boldly marked with directional arrows to promote distancing and flow throughout the stores. Every time I went there, folks invariably paid no attention. Whether it was deliberate, a result of not paying attention, or a blatant disregard, I don’t pretend to know. At the counter to pay, typically the cashier, behind plexi shields, instructed the next in line to approach the belt and begin unloading. Randomly one day, I was told to stay behind the line and unload from there – that they were reimplementing more stringent rules. While I was appreciative of this renewed practice, welcoming safety precautions, I remained perplexed why other rules were not being followed, and I stated aloud that someone ought to be monitoring the directional flow. She informed me it was not her job.

So, whose job was it? And why were we not working in a concerted team effort to promote safety and well-being?

Is the almighty dollar really the rule maker/breaker? Are we turning a blind eye to transgressions to keep the coffers filled?

These were questions that arose for me four years ago over something that seems trivial now, in light of what we are witnessing today. But like any illness that morphs into disease, the seeds of disharmony and questionable responsibility had been planted somewhere along the line and had taken over, choking out caring and compassionate behavior. Surely, I was not alone in my observations.

Why were we not paying attention?

The grocery store is just a microcosm of the greater ills that plague our human family. And those ills have grown to epidemic proportions over the last few years.

We are clearly not all on the same team, the same page, or even in the same book. Rules are now selectively followed and ignored. Anarchists and light workers share the same space on the planet, each group vying for dominance, here to fight the good fight – the noble battle - of light and dark. Who shall be the victor and what will we perpetuate? Peace or Violence? Love or Hate?

Each side may believe they are upholding their personal truths to destroy or unite, depending on the perspective they embrace. Is this the integrity we are promoting for the next, more evolved iteration of humanity? The one that demands an expansion of consciousness?

Sadly, it becomes more apparent each day that we may be devolving into something unrecognizable.

Integrity, by definition, is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, ones we exemplify. It also reflects being whole and undivided. We are struggling with individual wholeness, not to mention collective unity that is not even on our radar presently. We resist inclusivity, and we remain nations divided. It seems we are all fighting for rightful stewardship of the earth. But divided, no one will lay claim to victory.

Who shall make the rules to which we all agree to abide, I wonder? Is there even a common ground from which to begin? And is it even possible?

So, what can we do in the meantime?

· We can develop and consciously exercise integrity with a focus on strong moral character, stepping aside from and rising above doing what we want and instead exercising right action - even if it’s hard and no one else in our proximity seems to be doing the same.

· We can dare to be different, in this regard, becoming aware of our thoughts and scrutinizing if our actions and behaviors reflect what we think and believe in our hearts. It means doing the right thing even if it is out of favor.

· We can practice observing without judging but using what we observe to further guide our own actions, so we act from places of strong moral codes of ethics.

· And we can acknowledge we are each a member of the human family, deserving to be here, tasked to work together for the common good, despite our differing opinions and points of view.

Peace will not descend upon us, like a wish to be granted; it will be hard-earned.

There are competing forces vying for control over the earth and its inhabitants, and one of those forces strives to keep us divided so that Light - will never quell the darkness.

Individually, we must make peace with the past and release ourselves from the control it has had on our lives – our thoughts, our actions and reactions, our ambitions. We have held injustices done to us in bondage with their perpetrators, enslaving those moments to memory, beating them to death over and over again.

The challenges and obstacles we have experienced, individually and collectively, have led us to this moment of choice: hang on to the grievances of the past and our perceptions of them, becoming enslaved to them, or pursue the Peace that can be ours.

We can only build the Light of awareness and expanded consciousness from within – from within ourselves, our interactions, and our communities. But it will not be without focus, commitment, and concerted effort.

I’m in! Are you?