I believed the below words from the Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo to be true when I first read the book several years ago, but last week I got to truly experience it first hand while leading the Bliss, Balance and Beach Retreat in Costa Rica.
“What we reach for may be different, but what makes us reach is the same. Imagine that each of us is a spoke in an infinite wheel, and though each spoke is essential in keeping the wheel whole, no two spokes are the same. The rim of that wheel is our living sense of community, family, and relationship, but the common hub where all the spokes join is the one center where all souls meet. So, as I move out into the world, I live out my uniqueness, but when I dare to look into my core, I come upon the one common center where all lives begin. In that center, we are one and the same. In this way, we live out the paradox of being both unique and the same. For mysteriously and powerfully, when I look deep enough into you, I find me, and when you dare to hear my fear in the recess of your heart, you recognize it as your secret that you thought no one else knew.”
While outwardly, the 10 of us on the retreat are different (varying backgrounds, careers, family lives, and where we live), underneath it all, we're more alike than we are different.
We all experience struggle. We all want to be and do better in our lives. We are all human. In this way, we came together as one community. We could relate to each other in ways that created a deep bond in a short amount of time.
In one week, each of us was vulnerable and shared our story, which was met with compassion, love and support. This profound sense of togetherness filled my heart and ignited my soul. I was reminded of why I started Firefly in the first place, and why I included Community in the name. The week in Costa Rica was the epitome of Firefly's mission.
While we're all different; at our core, we're the same. Next time you find yourself on the verge of judging someone, remember this passage and let it spark compassion.
Experience this sense of togetherness first hand on next year's Costa Rica Retreat. Pre-register now with this form.
