uniqueness

Each of Us is Essential

There isn't a day that goes by in which we fail to hear something about essential workers.

During this health crisis, and time of great need, they have come to us like masked angels to rescue, protect, and comfort. We cheer them sequestered behind windows, create home-made gowns and face coverings to keep them safe, and appreciate them in our hearts more than they will ever know. Here's to each one...essential in every way.

I am praying today that in this moment there is also a shifting of our values that allows us to see that in God’s eyes everyone is essential.
— Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin Sr.

When working as a counselor/therapist/administrator in hospitals and clinics I was deemed to be essential for the wellbeing of our patients. If weather or some other crisis kept others home, it was necessary for me to show up so that medication and supportive treatment could be given.

The people I served were almost always grateful and glad to see me, and I have to admit, their appreciation was heartwarming and more treasured than any paycheck I ever received.

Retired from the field for half-a-decade, it still makes me feel like I did some things that made the world a little better. Now, I use those 46 years of experience to give a personal touch to my work as a professional journalist. Now I am non-essential by definition. But here's one thing I have learned. There is no one among us who would fit that characterization. Each of us is essential.

Father Giuseppe Berardelli

Father Giuseppe Berardelli

Father Hamlin's point of course is that our sacred and essential identity in God's eyes is at the core of who we are. We are powerfully made from all eternity. There has never been one like you and there will never be another. His prayer that our values might shift so that we could clearly see this in every person we encounter is one we all need to embrace. There is no obscure life nor is there an obscure death.

One example of many is that of Father Giuseppe Berardelli from Casnigo, Italy who gave away the life-saving respirator purchased for him by his parishioners to a younger patient who was also struggling with novel coronavirus. The priest didn't even know the person but gave his life so the other might survive. There was no fanfare for Berardelli. But he was certainly essential.

The pandemic will ultimately go away, becoming a part of history.

One hundred years from now few will be alive to share their memories of it. There might be some stories of silly people who crowded beaches at Spring Break in defiance of a disease that would kill so many due to their recklessness.

Mention might be made of irresponsible leaders who called COVID-19 a hoax, played golf and worked out in gyms despite the risks, or visited hospitals without protective equipment, setting a standard with untold consequences.

But there might be a better story to be told…not only of heroes who emerged but of a culture transformed. Our grandchildren and their descendants could live their lives with a universal awakening that every person and all living things are essential. Wouldn’t that be a game-changer.

And what wonderful world it will be.

Awakening to Snowfall; Remember Who You Are

“As you awaken to your Divine nature, you'll begin to appreciate beauty in everything you see, touch and experience.”  ~ Wayne Dyer

Winter snows have come with a vengeance once again to folks who live up North.  I remember how tired we used to get of scooping, scraping and being trapped inside.  My daughter and I have never been big fans, though I liked it more than she. Then there are people like my son who never weary of it.  His Michigan childhood comes back to life when it snows and just delights in it. He reminds me that there is always something magical about snow.  It has elements of surprise and beauty that we should explore rather than shun.  Within each snowfall are thousands and thousands of unique snowflakes which serve to remind us of who we are.

Our unique self, like a snowflake, will never be duplicated.  The evidence of this is everywhere.  Our DNA is comprised of markers that are arranged only for one person. It never has been and never will be again.  Only you! Even twins don’t have the same DNA. Combination of parents, grandparents and countless generations of ancestors each give us a gift of themselves in the pattern that becomes you.  It took thousands of years to come up with the design for each individual.  Our uniqueness also can be found in fingerprints. Each time we touch something we leave a stamp of our existence behind.  We are here and we are one of a kind.  The mold has been broken.

We have an individual and divine purpose in our uniqueness. The odds of your random creation are so small that it is incomprehensible.  Wayne Dyer talks about the fact that a great wind sweeping through a garbage dump, gathering up all of the pieces and setting them down as a fully assembled Boeing 747 is more likely than the exclusive collection of cells and tissue that is you.  Your importance cannot be understated.  The incredible love story of our Creator is at work here.  Such a miracle can have no other explanation. You are God’s beloved child.  Look at that beautiful snowfall and remember.

The Wisdom of Tigger

by Robert Kenneth Jones

"Tiggers never go on being Sad," explained Rabbit.” ~ A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner

I have always been a Tigger person.  His bounce and exuberance can be both wonderful and annoying.  But more than anything, Tigger continually revels in his uniqueness.  “The most wonderful thing about Tiggers is I’m the only one!” He thoroughly knows his character assets (cuddly, awfully sweet, a wonderful chap, loaded with vim and vigor and of course…fun).He constantly explores the things that others do well and always fails in his attempts to emulate or duplicate.  Then, Tigger does the most wonderful thing, he accepts and then embraces who he is.  Finally, he continues to celebrate.There is a happy philosopher and mystic in our Tigger. The Persian poet Hafez tells us that God only knows four words; “Come dance with me.” Tigger only knows four words; “Come bounce with me.” He embodies the wisdom of ‘thisness’ as described by Duns Scotus who said the absolute freedom of God allows God to create, or not to create, each creature.Its existence means God has positively chosen that creature, precisely as it is. In other words, each and every one of God’s creation is unique, one of a kind and specifically chosen to exist.  The mold was broken at your birth as demonstrated by your DNA.  There has never been and will never be another one who is just like you…and me…and Tigger.As Holy Week comes, pointing our way to Easter perhaps we might hope, dance and bounce our way along. I believe that God has a dream for us to live life fully with an ever-expanding joy.  God loves for us to be wonderful (wonder-filled) things…Tiggers one and all.“Human beings are most fully human when they realize that they are creatures and give joyful response to the Creator. All that we are and all that we have comes from God; we are part of God's dream for a good creation using our freedom to do God's will.” ~ Verna Dozier

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About the Author
In a career spanning over four decades, Robert Kenneth Jones has been an innovator in the treatment of addiction and childhood abuse. His blog, An Elephant for Breakfast, testifies to the power of the human spirit to overcome the worst of life’s difficulties. We encourage you to visit and share this rich source of healing, inspiration, and meditation.
Links
Contact Bob Jones on Linkedin
Bob Jones’ blog An Elephant for Breakfast

Photo by Dimitar Belchev on Unsplash