Our smallest acts contain with them our greatest power.

This just in from the woods: Our smallest acts contain within them our greatest power. 

Here’s what I mean by that: we humans come together and love each other so imperfectly. My greatest wounds, those that carry the greatest weight or live deepest in my cells, have been received from those closest to me. Those I love the most. The judgements, careless words, rejections. I do not believe they were malicious, and I do not believe I am a victim. It is never personal. And...actions have consequences. 

Undoubtedly I have also inflicted wounds on those I hold most precious. I believe that it (mostly) happens when I am least aware of it, paying the least attention, gripped in an impulse or emotion.  Unable to see beyond myself.

And...my greatest moments of love happen in the opposite way: when I am fully present and open and engaged.

And so, just think of the magnification of hearts that would available on this planet if those micro-wounds inflicted on those closest to us were reduced, removed, returned, recycled? It *is* in our power to change this. To take responsibility for our actions, moment by moment by moment, in our daily lives, by being open and compassionate and non-judgmental with those closest to us. We do not have to choose the way of another.  But we do have to make space for the truth and path of another, to allow it to belong.

And so, the concrete take-away, the actionable action is this: love those closest most carefully, most intentionally. Starting with the self, be the most available, listening, present and compassionate there, and then in concentric circles outward. Our greatest power is closest to us, and always available.

This seems to be is opposition of our cultural values, where we prioritize work or external likes from strangers. Sometimes we pay the least attention to those closest to us.  That is upside down, and a low power move.

The more awake, intentional, and open we become with those closest, the more powerful we become.