The endless ocean. The invigorating wind. The rugged rocks. And standing watch over it all is a lighthouse, shining its beacon through all types of weather for over 100 years. There is something mystical about Peggy’s Cove, an idyllic fishing community in Nova Scotia, on the Atlantic coast of Canada. A force of nature that draws people from around the world to this secluded spot. And along with the lighthouse, we simply stand in the moment.
I am familiar with the idea of noticing what appears in my life. I have also noticed that in recent months, the word ‘beacon’ has been showing up more frequently. The word reflects a focus on trying to make sense of what is happening in the world around us. There is a great deal of change and uncertainty. There is chaos in many of the institutions we have relied on for a sense of security. And as we look to restore hope for ourselves and those around us, my mentors remind me that it is my work to do by reconnecting with my mission and purpose. And this comes from listening to my inner voice.
I have noticed that when the message resonates and I sense the importance, I do listen and pause. This s not something that has happened overnight for me. I was raised to pray and to listen to my inner voice. I have always trusted this process. And yet when life gets challenging and the world feels chaotic, this has been a struggle for me. And so, when I met Dr. Willem Lammers, the founder of Logosynthesis®, in 2013, something caused me to pause. His presence brought me back to my childhood mentors: ‘Always challenge your interesting beliefs”. I was intrigued. I listened and questioned and learned. At times I challenged but I gradually became aware of the power of the direction: ‘If something bothers you, it is always your work to do.”
My focus began to shift. Rather than focusing on changing the world around me, I changed my reaction to the world. My world changed. I was better able to engage in meaningful action. It’s not a ‘one and done’ venture. It’s not an overnight success. It is a shift from the inside. And yes, I often wonder if anyone notices. So when a physician and chronic pain specialist, Eric Robins, wrote an Amazon review on my first book, I decided to reach out for a review of my new book: ‘Thriving In Our Times: From Reactions To Action Using Logosynthesis®: (Caswell, 2020). This excerpt of his review reminds me to trust the process:
Throughout the book, she repeatedly touches on the theme of how profoundly we can impact other people, organizations, and social systems by changing ourselves at depth, and by becoming less reactive and more compassionate. As we do the inner work, we become beacons of safety, groundedness, and love, and this provides fertile ground for those around us to heal and change. When she talks about these things, it’s not just a new age concept or an abstraction, but rather, she speaks with the power and authority of one who actually practices and embodies what she preaches.
– Eric Robins, MD. Physician and Chronic Pain Specialist –
Each one of us can support each other when we recognize the power of changing our reactions to take meaningful action. Willem’s work provides a profound, structured method to guide the inner work. The international Logosynthesis community offers an incredibly supportive space to explore what this means for each of us. In this extraordinary year of global unrest, the beacon at Peggy’s Cove has a new significance for me. When Dennis invited me to join a wave to share a message of hope, I immediately knew that I wanted to stand on this rugged coastline to deliver a message – like a beacon in this storm. We are in this together so join the wave on New Year’s Day!
