An embarrassment of riches?

Given the dramatic and difficult circumstances of this past week here in San Diego, you might think that an odd subject title. One of the local news anchors used that phrase when she was reporting that the evacuation sites were no longer needing or accepting donations. "We have an embarrassment of riches so to speak..." It was her way of acknowledging the good news that this community rallied in such a swift and generous manner that there was enough food, sundries, supplies, etc. to support the evacuees at Qualcomm and the like.

That phrase has been haunting me --appropriate for pre-Halloween-- as it was applied to a situation where people probably felt anything but rich (except perhaps in Spirit) and for some people, perhaps they had lost all their "riches" in their hearth and home that fell prey to the fires.

My further pondering was about the fact that there is such bounty and plenty in the city, in the nation,in the world, why is that we have such a problem with homelessness and hunger? Why is there not a way to share the wealth? I listened to countless stories and reports about families coming forward without hesitation to provide food, supplies, shelter or whatever was needed to support other people (who on a different week, might have easily been referred to as "strangers"). Ah, my heart expands in that the human spirit is alive and well. It just makes me ponder as to why it seems to emerge in such powerful ways only when called forth by dire circumstances?

Clearly, there are always people and organizations out in the community or in the world that are doing good deeds on a daily basis. Whatever else would all those telethons and pledge drives be about? Organizations quite often seek volunteers to help support and sustain. And yet, when something catastrophic takes place the "embarrassment of riches" comes forth in the manner of goods, person-power and donations. I ponder if that isn't possible more regularly and without such motivation.

Yet, maybe that is the way it needs to be. There is that rule in organizations, I believe that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. And perhaps that is the natural order of things. That way, when there is a specific need or call to action, the remaining 80% get to jump in and do their part. It is a way of balancing the load.
I doubt if everyone of us could do all that needs to be done for each other on a daily basis and still take care of our own with full attention and care. I liken it to the fact that nature finds it's own version of the 80/20 ratio when it needs to burn off the land for regrowth. Nature doesn't seem to have little spurts of fires on a daily or weekly basis; it appears as if nature accumulates stuff (as do we) and then when it gets to be too much or time for transformation, nature responds in a grand manner.

The small amount to which I was able to actively (hands-on) support at first, frustrated me. As I wrote earlier, Don and I threw together a bunch of supplies and took to Qualcomm the first afternoon. The next day, I went out and bought toiletries and sundries that I thought would be useful to add to further donations and it was declined. My registering on Volunteer San Diego showed me that all the positions were filled for now but to check back later. It became clear for me that I was meant to do more inner work. I would continue to support certain individuals and also cast a wider net of prayer. For others, this was their time to be on the front lines in service.

As I continue along this Ponderosa of mine, I am not judging any of this. In fact, I am not even weighing in on one side or the other. Merely, I am looking at the bigger picture by turning it upside down or on it's side to see if I can see things differently. Even this morning when I took my meditation walk (which this week, I have been unable to do because of the air quality) and stood on the mountain top where I have a perfect view of Qualcomm Stadium. I was pleased to see how calm and how empty it was today. A sign that people were able to move on from there into rebuilding their homes and their lives.

The next few weeks will be almost as critical. Not in the life-threatening sense, but in the post-traumatic phase when the active support begins to wane. This is the time where you/me/we can do some deep support for those who have been impacted by the fires; and for those who served so long and hard in protecting us. This phase is much like what happens after a death in the family. There is an immediate outpouring of love, attention, and support and then when the initial crisis is over the outside circle begins to fade--rightly so. People who have experienced a trauma, a major loss or transition in their lives do need to learn to move on and function independently. AND... and it is a big AND, we need to keep our antennae out to touch bases and connect with them along the way. If you have friends or family who were jeopardized or had major losses from this fire, please look to finding a way to connect with them as time goes on. Even if it means putting a reminder on your calendar to give a call and check in with folk.

How we as a community, we as individuals, move through and beyond a major event such as these wildfires, really sets the tone for how we are to live our lives on the world stage; how we expect and want our leaders, neighbors and friends to show up in the world. Gandhi was right, we must be the change we want to see in the world. And with having been given a new page upon which to write and draw the world we want to live in, this is a great opportunity for you to join me on the Ponderosa and contemplate the riches for which can be in abundance for all.