Lesson about humanity

I've been writing a piece in this Around the Circle space just about every week for the past seven years, and hope to continue doing so for a long time to come, because it's one of the favorite parts of my work with the Circle. But when Zet and I read the commentary (below) that Sonia Lopez posted about her experience at the MLK March, it felt like something we wanted share with the wider Circle community, because it's such a wonderful illustration of the practical applications of spiritual principles in daily life, which lie at the heart of what the Circle is all about. Sonia is the Development Director/Volunteer Coordinator at Haven for Hope (havenforhope.org), a place for people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio. She is also a yoga instructor teaching classes for children at the Southtown Yoga Loft (southtownyogaloft.com). She and her husband, David, and their children, Zach and Olivia are an integral part of the Circle family, and have been instrumental in fostering the growing energy of our Children's Circle program.
              With rich blessings,
                    Rudi


There was a lesson about humanity hidden inside of today's MLK March for me and my friend, Emily. It started with two moms' ideal, romanticized version of what an over-three-mile walk would be like with our four kids. I don't know about Emily, but I envisioned my little ones gasping in disbelief at the immensity of the crowd gathered to pay tribute. I fast-forwarded to when they were thirty years old, citing today as a positively pivotal moment in their childhoods. I think there may have even been a song playing in the backdrop..."Wind Beneath My Wings" or something like it.

Instead, we soon realized that three miles can feel more like a twenty-mile-hike to little legs, that a wagon is hell-on-wheels when you're pointed uphill, paletas will give the kids a sugar rush and it's a good idea to note where you parked your car...that is, if you want to get home.

At the end of the march, we were human. We were hungry, tired, and frustrated. So we practiced humanity. We laughed, we hugged and we thanked each other. Because, no matter what, inside of every circumstance, we should always at least try to choose love.

 

Emily, Lilah, Olivia, Sonia, Zach & Charlie in their wagon at the MLK March 2015