Solutions Come From a Distance

By Terez Hartmann

There are ways to be of service to humanity, to feed the flames of hope and possibility, AND to continue to allow your fire of well-being and joy.

First, let me preface with this: This story does indeed have a VERY happy ending, and it is my hope that it speaks to the part of YOU who is open to the possibility that there is always a path for both YOU and EVERY human being on this Earth to THRIVE—no matter how things may appear at any moment in time.

Bette Midler Inspires Some Big Questions

When I was little, I remember listening to a song performed by the fabulous Bette Midler that contained all of the earmarks of positivity: a beautiful vocal performance by the Divine Miss M, skipping children and smiling faces in the music video, and idealistic sentiments being expressed. Yet the lyrical hook, “God is watching us from a distance…” had given me mixed feelings every time I heard it.

Did it mean that God/Source/Universe didn’t care and that S/He or It was completely “hands off” letting us just deal and suffer through it all? How could the Divine just stand back and let war happen? How could a loving Being/Force allow things that were clearly unfair and out of balance transpire? How could Benevolence let horrific, crazy sh%t happen to good people, innocent children, or animals?!

Even though I have always believed in God/a Source of Good in my own unique form and fashion, I found myself absolutely outraged and wanting to do everything I could to protect the innocent. So I vowed that when I became an adult, this would become a central focus of my life.

And so, I found myself fighting, protecting, and defending; isn’t this what good people do, and wasn’t this the ONLY way to make the world a better place?

Problem. Though my inner crusader was getting to use her voice in spades, the HSP (“Highly Sensitive Person”) part of me was getting torn apart.

I would literally feel sick any time I witnessed horrific images or behaviors of abuse—and these images and feelings would stay with me, resulting in nightmares and making it harder and harder to feel safe in the world. In any case, I persevered, and I would not rest until I felt like the world was in a better state, that war really could end, that everyone could feel safe, that every animal was allowed to live a full and happy life, that every natural space was saved, and that every human being was treated equally!

So, as I forged ahead, continually pushing against the “bad guys,” I became so mired in the problems of the world and in my own life—which resulted in becoming physically and mentally exhausted—that, indeed, my spirit was NOT able to rest, AND I no longer had the time, energy, or resources to do very much more than simply survive. Whether I liked it or not, I simply HAD to step away to attend to my own well-being if I was to ever be able to offer something of value to anyone else ever again.

The Crazed Crusader Caves to Clarity

When everything else shut down and I was forced to sort through my OWN stuff, I started to discover something that I had not really felt since before my “crusader” career began: stillness.

Rather than resist the quiet, and reenlist the “crazed crusader” part of me, I stood my ground and decided to make friends with calm. As my body responded with increasing energy and happiness, ideas started to flow. I discovered books and insights that rekindled my flame of knowing that there IS meaning and purpose to all things. I took my first cross-country trip and purchased my first pair of hiking boots, which I used to explore the red rock terrain of Sedona, AZ. I became especially drawn to Zen teachings and philosophy and started to cultivate presence and savor NOW. And, I remembered the power and light I had within me, and I would let it flow and express in new, beautiful, life-giving ways.

Though I had a (very) basic understanding of what I thought Law of Attraction was that I gleamed from the esoteric teachings I was exposed to as a child (growing up with a metaphysical minister), I was compelled to delve deeper to REALLY get it, and during that process, I discovered “allowing” (thanks to www.Abraham-Hicks.com), and the true relationship between thoughts, beliefs, actions, and attitudes, and what showed up in my life. And viewing my life, “From a Distance,” I realized that the intense focus I had dedicated to injustice, suffering, and to delving into extreme detail of the bad things that could happen in this scary world, I had managed to attract all manner of things and experiences JUST like that in my OWN personal life. Perhaps it was time for a change?

From Crusader to Conscious Contributor

Twenty years after starting the journey of ever-expanding clarity and consciousness, I am still a human being who cares with all her heart.

Just like you, when I see or hear about tragic and frustrating events in the world, I also pray, intend, and ask for things to be better—and take conscious action. But rather than the old “barefoot, uphill, in the snow” approach I had once taken to helping the world, I discovered that there ARE other ways to be of service to humanity, to feed the flames of hope and possibility, AND to continue to allow my fire of well-being and joy…

…It involved taking advice from the song I heard in 1990 that was all about viewing life, “From a Distance.” Here are some of the ideas that I discovered that have helped me to find solutions where there were once only insurmountable problems:

1. You can’t see it when you’re IN it.

If you were somehow able to stand inside a painting in the center of a single drop of color, and this was the ONLY information you had about where you were, would you be able to know you were standing in a massive field of flowers or epic landscape that was created by the hand of a master?

2. Like it or not, every living, breathing thing has her/his/its own path and Point of Attraction, and things that can seem like tragedies may actually be catalysts for powerful, personal transformation and global evolution.

Even though we would NEVER deliberately choose awful experiences—especially for someone or something we care for—every living, breathing being has things to discover, journeys to take, and a time when we will each be called “home.” Many people—children included—who manifest extreme experiences, are humans who want to truly know and discover their power, and many of these people have been among the greatest leaders and teachers since the dawn of the human experience. Even some of the most tragic events in our history have simultaneously summoned enormous waves of kindness and compassion, resulting in major changes in our families, communities, systems, and global consciousness.

 Do also remember that just because someone else had a certain type of experience, YOU don’t have to follow in that person’s footsteps! YOU have YOUR own unique Point of Attraction too, so you could be the same age, live in the same neighborhood, etc., and experience COMPLETELY different results. But keep this mind: Just like the childhood version of me discovered, the more focus, time, and attention you give to something you don’t like or want, the more you can, unknowingly, attract it into your life.

 3.You are TRULY helpful when you can show up with clarity.

If you needed help, would you rather put your life in the hands of a stressed, scattered, exhausted, crazed person, or someone who is caring, calm, and clear? ‘Nuff said!

4. BE an example of what you would like to see and create in the world.

I strongly believe that anger and hate cannot be transformed by fighting back with more anger and hate, nor can problems be solved by fixating exclusively on what is wrong. If you want to bring peace, equality, and compassion to the world, cultivate peace within yourself AND promote PEACE through your words, thoughts, and actions. Respect yourself AND treat others with an EQUAL amount of respect. Extend KINDNESS and COMPASSION to your sweet self, AND put kindness and compassion into ACTION in the world.

The Bottom Line: Solutions Come From a Distance

It’s amazing to think that I could have ever missed the beauty, genius, and leading-edge nature of the song, “From A Distance,” composed by Julie Gold for Bette Midler, but, ironically, it took looking at my own life from a distance to be able to have the eyes to see and the ears to hear the profound wisdom carried in this true work of heart.

As coaches, mentors, and leaders in our community, many people are looking to us for inspiration and guidance during these challenging times.

Rather than simply react, yell louder, and add to the problems of the world by railing against what is “wrong,” I’d like to challenge you to see the world “From a Distance,” to shine a light on the good that is still SO very prevalent in YOUR world and THE world, and to be a visionary voice for possibility and new paths that promote well-being for ALL.

However you choose to respond to the climate of the moment, dear friends, know that whether “From a Distance” or walking side-by-side, it is my intention to see you shine and thrive!

“From a distance we are instruments
Marching in a common band
Playing songs of hope
Playing songs of peace
They are the songs of every man”

–Julie Gold & Bette Midler
“From a Distance”

Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann,“Your catalyst for all things Fab-YOU-lous,” is the author of Allowing Your Success!, a proud contributing author of Transform Your Life! book one and two, a professional Keynote Speaker/Workshop Facilitator, Singer- songwriter/Recording Artist, “Allowing Adventures!” & “Savor Vacation” Facilitator, and true Renaissance Woman, and Visionary. She keeps her fire lit by embracing and promoting a lifestyle of “Allowing,” and by using creative expression to elevate and ignite the human spirit, a passion that she shares with her husband, soul-mate and creative partner of over 15 years, John Victor Hartmann. Together they share “Allowing TRUE LOVE” workshops and experiences designed to help others attract, allow, and maintain extraordinary relationships, and create custom jingles and voice-overs in their studio, THE Creativity Express. Visit: http://www.TerezFirewoman.com

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