.......two roads diverged in a wood and I.......

I realize, through past experiences, this may offend some folks. If you get angry at democrats, you may not want to read this. If you are fighting tooth and nail to hang on to old ways, you may not want to read this. If you believe that my position as a minister is crossing the line in giving my political views, you really do not want to read this. If you are the least bit curious how I/we could possibly put a spiritual metaphysical spin on politics, then you want to read this.

For the past few weeks I have been treading water, politically speaking. Yet, after I sat in the humbleness and magnificence of Michelle Obama’s 2012 speech, I had an epiphany.

In my family I have two strict republicans who I respect and love; my sister and my son. One of them lives in the same house with me, and is an excellent explainer of politics and this not so clear system I have never found to fully understand, nor grasp.  I have felt for weeks, like oh so many of us, that this election and our upcoming individual vote is critical. I have been swayed moment to moment, cautious of the aspect of choice I and we must make. I am now surer than ever of my personal direction.

As I heard Mrs. Obama’s words I found my own voice, radiating in my head, repeating my life’s mission. I am a minster, counselor, teacher and spiritual mentor. I encourage Oneness and the sanction of humanity. I am a soulful independent, who believes in the seed of power within all beings. I believe it takes a tribe. We are not, nor are we ever alone. I see now, that this is not an election of men; nor of parties. It is a choice of ego or soul, of lack or oneness, of head or heart.

In past few weeks I heard what the republicans were saying and read numbers put together by who knows who, and I felt my ego and my belly begin to fear ‘what about the economy – what about the money – what about the good ole American way?’.

In my own head I was hearing what some may term republican voices. It was amazing to me – for my own private practice has never been so abundant as it is right now,  in over 20 years and my family has many blessings of the linear plan, our lives are good, rich and full. Why was I hearing it? I knew something within was off. I was feeling out of balance. I was feeling pulled. I took the head path and asked questions, listened to ‘the other views’. My heart told me, ‘do not be afraid to hear what the others say, make a clear, full and strong choice!’.

I often suggest to my clients; either you choose to move (forward) or not. I can support you to go there, I can offer you tools, but it is all your choice. I cannot do it for you. Either you have faith in your choice, the choice which calls you; or not. Either you are willing to invest in yourself or not. I also explain to them that going from what was to what will be can be VERY messy. Transformation is never pretty. To unload old beliefs, inner structures, thoughts and ways can be a significantly frightening experience. But, having faith in what you KNOW IS POSSIBLE is the key.

It is all too easy, in our humanness, to sway to the ego, to say yes to fear, to cop out before the revelation!!  As the fierce Mrs. Obama said, this office of presidency does not change you; it reveals the person you are. I believe my personal inner challenge to choose in this election has also revealed who I am.

In our personal journeys, the aspect of change reveals who we are. The idea of transformation, of shifting to another way of being, of doing even the slightest thing differently; can be scary – yet when we do, we are empowered beyond measure, for that aspect of ourselves that said yes, which started with a what if, begins to shine, pulse and create more goodness than before.

Years ago I voted for Obama. I felt that this was a good, decent man. I had no idea what kind of politician he was. I went with my gut. He was refreshing. I am sure I am not alone on this. Some of us choose elections with our gut, it’s just the way it is, I admit it. I dare say, most of us do not understand the political machine as it is; no doubt, not even some folks on the inside.

Now, after listening to Clinton, as well as to last night’s final evening of the DNC; I know more than ever. This is a clash between the lack and the promise of that which is yet revealed. As in our own lives, we are asked to keep the faith, our eye and heart on what has yet to be seen; until it is revealed to us. It is always the darkest before the dawn.

My response to my many relatives  who adamantly,  passionately and what I see as fearfully believe in the republican ticket simply because of their experience of a horrible economy; is I thank you for being so loud, so emotionally violent against the what is yet to be – we are in the midst of a grave transformation my friends. We are heading into 12/2012, the end of the Mayan calendar as it has been stated – we have the awe inspiring choice to be part of supporting the foundation of our ancestors as well as our future beings - to be part of an age of humanity. 

President Obama and his circle of speakers stated it honestly; we are not yet where we want to be. In transformation as in change, it is ALWAYS messy. But does that mean we give up? NO!

I personally see and believe we are at a fork, of great magnitude, in the road of our civilization. A fork of right or left. A fork of oneness and wholeness or singular independent stand aloneness. I believe this is IT! I believe this same fork, with different plots and players have been the downfall of prior civilizations. Some of us may have imagined this coming of the golden age would commence with a vision of angelic beings and heavens opening up or imagined Jesus would stand before us or Archangel Michael’s sword would cut us loose from our own tangled egos – but the truth is WE DO THAT. Is that not what I say to everyone?! We, are our own savior and only we can make the choice to choose love or not. At each turn we choose to say yes to God or no, to push back or forge ahead. Every action we take, every choice we make brings us closer to wholeness or it keeps us apart. Every choice.

And I state with my most open heart possible; now, we are at that choice. Now. Right now is a time of choice to vote for the goodness of humanity, to support the truth we, at the ALM speak of - that to see an awareness of God as every being, is our  work – or, we shy away, hunker down in the catacombs of victimhood laced with monetary fear and blame.

Since my freshman year in high school, this has been a favorite:

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. Robert Frost

 

Bless our journey’s, choices, hearts and the world. May we each keep faith is that which has not yet been revealed.

Thank you. – Rev. Deborah Evans Hogan