A few weeks ago I wrote about an experiment I’m running to find my inner “angel” and to look for the “angel” in others. If you want to catch-up here’s How it started. Today, I’ve got a little update on how it’s going.
October’s experiment was born from a flat tire and a daunting challenge:
In the midst of our daily rush to Get It All Done and accomplish our Very Important Aims, how can we slow down enough to remember that we are each traveling with invisible wounds, and that our calling on this earth is to be one another’s angels in times of need?
My experiment has been to let the blinking the lights I encounter on the road—turn lights, hazards, warning signs—remind me of the invisible hazards we all carry, and of our calling to be each other’s angels on this earth.
My Results
Friends, there’s no question that the perfectionist-gold-star-striver in me wants to pronounce this experiment an unqualified, smashing success!
And that wouldn’t be entirely untrue. It has been a powerful experiment… the handful of times I remembered to do it.
I just forgot to look for the flashing lights most days as I steered my dirty-white mom van here-there-and-everywhere. Or maybe people use their indicator lights less these days? Even so, my thoughts were so scattered when I was out on the road that most blinking was lost on me, as was the opportunity for reflection and connection.
I did manage to develop a useful mantra as I caught some lights flashing on the drive from Albuquerque to Taos for my writing retreat last week.
I am called to be your angel, and you, to be mine.
Each time I noticed a flashing blinker, hazard, or warning light, I mentally repeated these words—imagining an invisible thread of connection stretching between my heart and the hearts of the drivers around me.
As I let my attention rest on those connections, I could feel something awakening in me—an affectionate appreciation for my fellow humans, a recommitment to my intention to be of authentic service to others.
I am called to be your angel, and you, to be mine.
And, like last month, it turned out that my experiment spilled over into a future in-between moment in my life.
On the second day of the retreat, we’d just finished a morning session of mindful movement and dance, and I was feeling tender and emotional.
As we shuffled to gather our things and walk to breakfast, I took a deep breath and pushed past my customary shyness and self-consciousness.
“If anyone is interested in a hug right now,” I called out to a roomful of strangers, “I’m available!”
I had several takers—huggers who stepped up to be my angels, and who generously allowed me to become one for them.
In that moment, we transformed into a web of angels, giving and receiving the Love that was available to be shared in that holy moment.
More Data (and Angels!) Needed
If you missed trying this experiment with us last month, it’s not too late! Try it out this week.
Though it’s easy to miss those flashing lights as we rush through our days, when we do catch one, we can almost “hear” it—the Universe summoning our inner angel, tick tick tick, inviting us to stretch to connect our gossamer hearts one-by-one to our fellow humans.
I am called to be your angel, and you, to be mine.
We are called to be each other’s angels.