Finding Value

I will look for the beauty around me, for I shall be reminded that within each lump of coal, I shall see the diamond that lies within, which is me! ~ACN

Last night I had the pleasure of the company of a stunning young lady who is relocating to a really drab area of our country, one, where the impact of man, has dire consequences for the environment. The area is blackened by the mining of coal and seldom appears to have a fresh clean green look. Only after heavy rain does it take on the appearance of normality. Yet in this area, little birds abound, the sun still shines, the trees wave their beautiful leaves in the gentle wind.

This young lady is quite saddened that she will be relocating to this area having come from one of the most beautiful, fresh, crisp locations in our country and was concerned about doing so. She saw only the gloom in it and did not look to what beauty she could and would still see.

There are two aspects of this that I find very profound and can be of absolute support to us.

The first is to look at what has happened to the hinterland of this specific location and take example of what nature has accomplished, allowing ourselves to emulate it.

The second is to find what examples we can take from the environment, as dismal as it may seem and translate it into something positive within our own life.

In almost every instant, where man has been destructive to the environment, nature finds a way to adapt and continues about its life, living cycle after cycle, to the best of its ability. Nature has no expectation of man and thus having no emotional attachment that we know of, will carry on regardless. Certainly, it will be impacted initially, yet pretty soon it bucks up and adapts.

The little birds will find new sources of food or may even move away from the area for a while, waiting for the time when Mother Earth has regenerated to a point where it, the little bird, can be sustained from her. The grasses will adapt and will find a way to grow and even flourish, again, usually after a period of time. New plants, that can thrive off the land will suddenly arrive and flourish. Others may disappear for all time or until it can once again thrive in the changed soil. Trees that have grown in the area will be shaped by the winds that now howl through the open plains, yet they will grow in the inflicted soil. Little animals and critters will move away and then, like the plant life, will return when the earth has healed and will flourish in the newness of the earth that has healed. It is very seldom that man will successfully destroy every living creature of the hinterland.

Now we can take example of these amazing creations of our Divine. We can surrender to what we, as humanity, have done or we can adapt. I love the expression “adapt or die” for it is true. We either choose to live or we fade away and will certainly cease to breathe the air of life, no matter how polluted the air is.

In the perfect world, our lands would not be so polluted. Yet man has an incessant greed for money and riches and will, in an endeavour to obtain it, often destroy what abounds. Certainly there are environmentalists that will move heaven and earth to prevent the destruction of the planet. It is certainly the progression of mankind that has led society to demand the rehabilitation of the earth. Mining companies, civil engineers, oil companies and the like are now forced by mankind to invest vast sums in this light in the act of repairing what they have so destroyed. I, for one, am in gratitude for this.

So step one, when mankind has destroyed the hinterland, adapt. Surrender to what the situation is, make what changes you can to heal the earth and her surrounds including yourself. There simply is no point in pointing that finger at all and sundry, complaining incessantly, and doing nothing. It is a matter of attitude, positive attitude that will allow you to truly live in the moment. Remember, the sun will still shine each day, the moon will still rise and life will go on.

The second, and I think often the most important thing, we could do to serve ourselves in this situation is to look at what is around you and relate it to your own life in a positive and progressive way.

In this experience, the hinterland is scattered and filled with great big lumps of coal. The most precious stone that is known to man is the diamond. It is thought that diamonds are formed billions of years ago and are as a result of the formation of coal. The diamond is a fabulous stone, appearing in its raw form as a inconspicuous piece of rock. Yet when cut, it results in the most stunning sight, revealing light of all spectres of the rainbow and glistening beautifully for our eyes to feast upon.

Humans are just like diamonds. Each facet represents the complexity of our beings. We can be happy and sad, solemn or joyful, peaceful or aggressive, calm or disruptive and so on. Yet within each one of us lays the ability to be love. This again relates to the diamond which is a symbol of our love and is given as a commitment to that love.

To take that which is afore you and see that something that appears so indiscriminate, is to know that you can recognize that you are indeed the most amazing and beautiful being as created by your Divine. It is to look at the beauty beyond the obvious and be at one with it. It is to be the” I AM”, to be in ONEness with your Divine and all that He has created.

No matter your station in life, no matter your surrounds, look around you and you will find beauty that you can relate to your life.

Have fun in LIVING your experience and be in the state of love always. For you are loved and are Love.

In love and light,

Amanda

Image courtesy of: http://www.southafrica.to/provinces/Mpumalanga/Mpumalanga_coal_mine%2002.jpg

© Amanda C Nicolin 2011

Permission is granted to share this article freely on the condition that the author is credited.