“What I know of the Divine sciences and Holy Scripture I learned in woods and fields, by prayer and meditation. I have no other masters than the beeches and the oaks.” That quote is from medieval times, and I’m not sure who said it, but it has been passed on to make us aware that there are many paths of awareness.

I know we all choose the path that feels good to us, and in that feeling we believe we have connection to our higher self. I believe there are many paths and they all are as diversified as we are. As long as I am living my truth, with innate knowledge that I am a whole part of another whole, connected to all life, with energy that is pure love, then I am remembering who I am. I am in the state of well being. From that state I create my world.

The event that changed the lives of so many in Virginia, is an example of how a state of mind can drastically effect us collectively. One man’s ideas about himself and the world he lived in, created a state of shock around the world. His thoughts created his way of life, and changed the thoughts of the world. One man’s actions, had dramatic reactions from all of us.

There will be many things written about this story, many facts will be uncovered about the whys and the could or should have been done theories. Many need that information to cope with this tragedy, and that is one path to awareness. There are many more paths to awaken our consciousness, to understand that we do have control over our thoughts, but we have no control over the thoughts of others. I’m sure there will be many people who relive what they could have done, if they would have listened to their feelings and acted. That is another path of awareness and a lesson we are here to learn. If we can see how connected we are to each other and realize how the thoughts of one effect the thoughts of all, I think we can change our world. Positive thoughts create positive outcomes. If we look at ourself first, project our truth in our actions, we will be the change we want to see.

Now is the time for forgiveness, forgiving ourself first and then forgiving our collective community.
Many of us learned about the Scriptures and Divine science in church or school, many of us learned in the woods, many just knew them and lived them. It doesn’t matter how I know, but I must live my truth, share my truth, in order to see the change I talk so much about. It’s all about me and my thoughts, not waiting for someone else to tell me what my truth is, that will make the difference in my world.

I want to learn and love, and from this act that has changed the lives of so many, I think we will all do that. It may not be tomorrow, but if I feel it today, it has already happened.
From this expression of fear, love will be born. I open myself to the families and friends, the school, as well as the shooter and his family. I offer my truth, my love and forgiveness. My thoughts and prayers are with the angels that have taught this lesson. Those who have moved to another consciousness, have opened the path for us to grow in awareness and be better versions of ourselves. They are the beeches and the oaks from which I draw my inspiration.

Hal Manogue is a poet and author of Short Sleeves A Book For Friends. Insightful thoughts for the 21st century. Hal’s 2006 collection and 2007 collection are available in bookstores and online. Visit Hal’s website: http://www.shortsleeves.net or blog: http://halmanogue.blogspot.com/ for more information about his work and life. Download a copy of the new E-Book,”Unite To Write” a collection of articles written by writers around the globe, that will inspire and fill you with useful information. It’s value is priceless. It’s Hal’s gift to you.