Getting Clear with the Elements

A Notice from the School District

On an early morning wait with Sebastian at the bus stop one of our neighbors came out with a letter in her hand. She asked if I had seen it and handed it to me. I scanned the paper that was drafted by the school district alerting our neighborhood to a possible elementary school re-zoning. Three proposals had been drawn up for changing the attendance areas in order to be able to serve the expected growing educational needs of the community. The proposals were being presented in two meetings by the committee in charge of this project in order to gain insight to public opinion, we had already missed the first one. I handed the paper back to her indicating that I had not received it…we were too new to the district and were not in their database.

The parents huddled at the bus stop talked about who could attend the meeting. I was planning to go as was another mom…but not everyone was able to attend. We decided to draft a letter to the neighborhood to make sure everyone was aware of the meeting and to offer to submit their written comments to the committee if they were not able to attend.

Before entering a position that would most likely involve helping others move through this issue, I needed to get clear on the situation myself. The idea of having to change schools is an emotional one for any parent, especially if the school is further away and doesn’t test as highly as the one your child is currently attending. At the same time I realized deeply that our neighborhood is part of a whole, and as such I needed to be able to look at the overall picture of health as well.

Hiking through the Woods

I decided to go for a walk to burn off the excess nervous energy and to get focused on what I wanted from this situation. My mind had gotten pretty active and was full of anxious chatter…I knew from experience that what I needed in order to climb out of that mental place was movement, fresh air and the elements that could help me align myself with the knowledge that the greater good is out there, available and will manifest through these events. Through the elements I can bring a larger respect for life and the wisdom of connectedness into the situation…good always comes, no matter how I may currently perceive the circumstance.

The Elements

• Air

I envisioned my intent for good as being direct, to the point and on target. Within the element of air it soared with grace…an arrow of truth. I am the archer, drawing on the power of nature I pull back the bow string, the arrow is an extension of my will and as I release it, I hear my own voice say…hit the mark.

• Fire

In my mind burned the flame of purification. All surface matter is burned away before me, revealing the heart, the core, the truth…that which is real.

• Water

The cleansing and renewing waters of life wash over the remains…gently breathing into them new life. Before me now is the seed of potential.

• Earth

The nurturing womb of the earth shelters this seed, nurses it to maturity and provides an opportunity for growth that is altogether new.

Getting Clear

Using these meditations the hike through the woods was a hike through my own mental landscape and heart. I emerged from this walk with a focus that encompassed the whole. I had achieved a clarity, and the confidence that all was well…and from that place, I interact with my world and others.