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Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Infinite Sum Thinking


Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’   ~ 1 Kings 19:11-13

Last week I wrote about "One Little Voice" and how a child's "good morning" reminded me of the One Eternal Presence of "kindness and connection" aka, love.

Today I'm wondering and struggling with how to hear the little voices of love on a more consistent basis while all of the big voices of fear seem to be sucking the energy out of the air. Is it possible to be responsibly engaged and at the same time be healthily detached?

Perhaps I'm caught in the "zero sum" paradigm that so dominates much of our thinking. It says there is a finite amount of everything rather than infinite possibilities within everything. Zero sum tells me there is only so much energy, either positive or negative, to be had and if fear breathes it all in, then love is left gasping. Zero sum thinking focuses on scarcity.

"Infinite sum" thinking, on the other hand, says there is enough of everything. Infinite sum focuses on abundance. Regardless of how loud and big the voices of fear may be, they do not diminish the infinite capacity for kindness, connection, and love.

If the big loud voice of fear seems to be taking all of the air and energy, remember, we have a choice between scarcity and abundance. Be assured, there is still more than enough love to overcome fear. 

Little voices of of the world - take a deep breath of kindness and connection and fill the air with love.   

        

1 comment:

  1. Thanks Andy. Yes, we always have a choice! That is one of my basic beliefs. I appreciate your guidance, and consider you one of my "pastors."

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