Episode #6 - Sanctuary in Ceremony Minisode
Welcome back to the LMY Podcast! It has been a very difficult and tragic last couple of weeks here on Maui, and even before the devastating fires plowed through the historic town of Lahaina, the last capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, leaving its residents displaced with nothing but the clothes on their back, I was planning to talk a little bit about leaning on our connection to something greater than ourselves, like a higher power or even the larger community of which one is a part, as a means for personal peace and healing in one's own life.
I've seen posts on social media, and heard it said many times since the fires started, "PRAY FOR LAHAINA" and "PRAY FOR KULA", and it feels completely reasonable to want to look to the Divine for help and guidance during such a tragic time, however I would like to point out that connecting to a higher power is always an option and tool to be used in our daily lives that can help us find a sense of peace in this challenging, confusing world at any moment.
It has also been really eye-opening and heartwarming to witness the outpouring of love and support from the Maui community and the greater world at large for those who have lost their homes, businesses and loved ones. It is incredible to think what can happen when people reach outside of their own stories of loss or difficulty, to help their fellow human beings because inherently they know, like all of us, that we are a part of and connected to a love and life force far greater than our own little life and story of the moment. The message and lesson I am hoping to convey throughout this episode is simple- that we would remember our connection to the Divine and the greater world and community around us AT ALL TIMES, not just in times of difficulty or disaster.
I hope this information can be of use to the listeners and that these tools for reconnection can be put into practice throughout your daily lives, so that we can all reestablish our inherent connection to the greater whole of existence, remember our place and purpose in it all, and begin to create safe space and sanctuary for ourselves within our own beings, amidst the chaos and overwhelm that creeps into our lives.
If you would like to support the grassroots efforts of different local organizations that are directly supporting those in need here in Maui, here is a list of organizations that I support, and know are bringing relief and resources directly to the people here who need it most:
Common Ground Collective [https://www.commongroundcollective.com/donate] - The Common Ground Collective is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization that provides education and Assistance to promote food security, economic and educational opportunities in Maui county, and is currently serving thousands of meals daily to the shelters on Maui as fire disaster relief.
Hungry Heroes Hawaii [https://hhhmaui.org/] - HHH is another local organization helping to distribute supplies and hundreds of meals daily to those in need in Lahaina and at the Maui shelters as fire disaster relief.
Pacific Birth Collective [https://pacificbirthcollective.org/] - PBC is a local nonprofit dedicated to providing resources to families, mothers and children affected by the Maui wildfires. They are providing care to expectant mothers, women and children in the Lahaina area and at the various shelters on Maui, and are a central donation hub for families in need.
If you are able to donate or contribute to these organizations, I have already worked with them, and know that the funds will go to good use! Please consider donating while we in Maui continue to support one another, recover and rebuild our beautiful home. Mahalo nui for your support!
Stay safe, take care, and love each other, because... Love Makes You!!
