“The salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in the human heart, in the human power to reflect, in human meekness and human responsibility.

– Vaclav Havel

The heart, reflection, meekness and responsibility.  What a great combination of traits Havel fits into one sentence.  I love the way he places the heart first in his list.  We must lead with our hearts — not with our emotions, but with the deep and abiding knowing that resides at the center of our humanity.  It is the heart that carries our compassion for all humanity and the sense of oneness that connects us with all that exists.  It is the heart that carries the passion that drives us to act on the things we know are right and true and loving.

Reflection, according to Rudolf Steiner, is the time when learning takes place.  Too often, we make the mistake of thinking that we learn by doing.  We experience things by doing or by observing, but we learn when we use our intellect to evaluate what has happened and how the results of the things we have done impact our lives and our world.  It is vital to allow time to reflect and not to be always engaged in activity without the chance to consider what we have done.  Havel is correct when he refers to reflection as power.  We must take seriously our responsibility to use our power wisely.

Meekness may rhyme with “weakness,” but we must not equate the two.  Meekness, according to one dictionary is “strength under control.”  Another says it is the act of being “humble, patient, and gentle.”  Pursuing meekness allows us to control our own emotions and desires and show gentle respect for the opinions and needs of others.  It is in this ability to rise above our ego that we are able to strive for the greater good that will benefit all, including ourselves.  There is nothing weak about this sort of gentle strength.

Finally, we must exercise responsibility.  Our hearts will tell us what is good and kind.  Our minds will tell us how to pursue the greatest good in ways that will be effective and successful.  If we proceed with true humility and leave our egos outside of the issues, we will be not only human, but humane.  Responsibility calls us to commit to using all these traits in ways that will be effective.

Today I will attend a retreat for women.  It will be a treat to interact with like-minded folks and have the opportunity to share our dreams for healing the world.  There is strength in numbers, and as we come together to bring the ideas and commitment that each one of us has to contribute, the daunting task will become smaller and smaller.  We must take our mission to heal the world seriously.  We must band together with others who are willing to venture out with heart, reflection, meekness, and responsibility.  The power lies within us.  We must bring our light to the world.

Today I am thankful for the Light that burns in my heart and drives me to hope for healing.