Humans are an endangered species. Global warming, pollution, and the general deterioration of Planet Earth are all threats to our survival. But our vulnerability arises from an even deadlier enemy -the toxicity of the human spirit.
Is humankind destined to one day end up in some cosmic wax museum of extinct species? Are we next? Our demise need not be a doomsday prophecy. We have free will. Change is always possible. But it's time to open our eyes - and our hearts.
The turning of the millennium is just such an eye-opener. It is a time of endings and new beginnings. It marks a reordering and a reorganization of life as we know it. Nothing will remain the same.
Our lives will change drastically. But we needn't be frightened or discouraged. This is an amazing opportunity. The Earth changes and the personal changes that we'll undergo will inspire us to make choices that will create a new world.
This is a special time in history. Those of us who are here now have chosen to be present for a shift in consciousness that Planet Earth has never before experienced. This shift initiates a breakthrough of accelerated growth, clarity, and self-discovery. Much of what we have formerly accepted as truth is beginning to change.
We have a grave responsibility. Like never before in human evolution, we must gather together. Our world is in jeopardy and it's our job to save it - and convince others how important it is to do the same. For this salvation to occur, there must be a majority who are working for the highest good of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants. The individual and collective consciousness of us all affect the destiny of the planet and existence as a whole.
We are a territorial species who have built our lives on competition rather than cooperation. Many of us feel that "our" way is best, that our group has the "right" answers, that others are deluded or less evolved. In every part of our society, we experience a we're-better-than-you-are mentality. In sports, in education, in our careers, even in spirituality.
Our world is polarized by superstition and fear over differences in philosophy, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual preference. What can we do about this divisiveness? How can we come together? If we hope to create peace and harmony, we must be willing to abandon our obstinately-held belief systems and isolated, self-contained camps of superiority. Through flexibility and openness to others' ideas, we can arrive at a new common ground of cooperation and understanding.
World peace seems so huge and unattainable. First, peace has to be personal. We must find peace, individually, within ourselves, if we expect changes globally.
But how do we begin? Each day in every interaction we have, let's stop reacting and start responding from a place of non-judgment and love. If we wait around for world leaders to bring about Peace, it will never happen. It's up to each of us through our open-heartedness to make our world the beautiful, peaceful place it's meant to be.
Every one of us can be a peacemaker. We can create a bridge of understanding, compromise, and respect between factions at opposite ends of the continuum. Opportunities arise daily at the office, at church, and at home. If we're successful on the individual level, eventually, on a larger scale, there'll be no more wars, discrimination, or separatism.
We can also take a lesson from nature. The other kingdoms - animal, plant and mineral - work cooperatively to survive. In the human species, we let our supposed differences get in the way. All life-forms everywhere are composed of the same Universal Essence. We're all part of the same family. There's no separation, even though our appearances would make us think otherwise. Differences in appearance are designed as a test to determine if we can see beyond the insignificant exterior to the more important interior.
The other kingdoms recognize who we really are behind our masks. And as we open our hearts, we'll remember our ancient partnership with them built on honor and respect. As a planetary family, we'll once again join to create a web of love that will heal ourselves and the planet. Together, in the spirit of cooperation, we'll restore Mother Earth to a state of harmony, health, and peace.
Cindy Watlington is the author of the Crystal Deva Cards. Contact: Inner Quest Publishing, Bolder, CO. 1-800-992-7763.