We can check to see whether we are thinking, speaking or acting from our light or our darkness: Am I serving connection or separation?

We can check to see whether we are thinking, speaking or acting from our light or our darkness: Am I serving connection or separation?

At the core of every created being, we are all thetsame: We are light. This light holds a prism of wonderful qualities, including truth, calmness and harmony, beauty, wisdom and love. At this level of our beings, these qualities are intimately interconnected.

So where there is truth there will be calmness; where there is harmony there will be beauty, where there is wisdom, there will also be love. Jumble the last sentence into any order and the equations will still always balance. At this level of our being, all is already one.

The hallmark of seeing these divine qualities in action? Connection.

In contrast, on the surface of every human being are various layers of darkness. All our faults, wrong conclusions and destructive tendencies live here, discoloring our ability to connect.

The hallmark then of these negative qualities? Separation.

We can always check to see whether we are thinking, speaking or acting from our light or our darkness by asking this simple question: Am I serving connection or separation?

For example, when we build a case against someone, we are aligning with separation. Then we view everything that person says and does through our warped filter. We don’t see the totality of this person, which includes both their strengths and their weaknesses. Instead, we focus on their faults and reject the person for them—especially if we have the same fault but don’t realize it.

When our goal is to serve connection, we give people the benefit of the doubt. If we feel disharmony with them, we check things out: Here’s what I’m noticing, what are you noticing? We work towards understanding and we bring compassion, knowing everyone is wounded in some way. We make whatever effort is needed to clear the air.

Whenever we align with anything other than our inner light, we keep creating disharmony in the world. But equally important, we create discord within. For when we serve separation, we are no longer at one with our own selves.

During difficult times, it’s important to remember that everything we think, say and do has an effect—on us and those around us. Each moment is an opportunity to slow down and choose the light. To choose connection.

– Jill Loree

All essays in Get a Better Boat are available as podcasts.