Ripples

I am reading the last couple of chapters of the Heart of Wicca, and I came across a sentiment that I seem to see around a lot lately. It's an explanation of Karma that seems just as short sighted as the views that the author is complaining about. I feel that I am being surrounded by the philosophy of, "We are all connected ... except when something bad happens."

I understand that extreme pacifism is distasteful to a lot of people. I also get that people who use karma or the Rede as an excuse for inaction are in for a really rude awakening one day. But, does that mean that when tragedy does strike that it is outside of karma or destiny or whathaveyou?

I really don't think so.

I know that no one likes to think that suffering is anything other than just random occurrence or as someone used to so often shout at me, 'shit just happens'. It's not tasteful to tell people who are going through hard times that their suffering very likely is for a purpose. No one wants to hear that. But, it doesn't mean that it isn't true.

To paraphrase Ellen Cannon Reed, "Being attacked is not part of the Goddess' plan." Why not? If we believe that we are all connected to one another to make up a web of life and magic, then why is it so hard to grasp the idea that not everything that happens in your life is something that revolves around you and your journey?

I have learned a lot from other people as well as my own life. I didn't need to have an abusive boyfriend or parents who threw me out on the street to see the effect it has on people.

Let's take the example of someone being beaten to a bloody pulp. Maybe it is seeing your bravery in dealing with the pain, and healing that leads someone else to illumination. Maybe it shows the orderly at the hospital that even victims of violent crime can be courageous. Maybe it finally sinks into his head that violence doesn't make you strong.

Maybe it helps the nurse find the strength to leave her abusive boyfriend, even if only by illustrating to her what is very likely in her future if she doesn't.

And maybe it shows you reserves of strength that you didn't know you had. Shows you that you can deal with something that you thought beyond your abilities, and that there is life on the other end.

Bad things happen. People are hurt, and sometimes they die. Just because things aren't pleasant doesn't mean that they aren't there to help us grow.

I think a lot of people are stuck rebelling against the idea that "God is testing you".  Even that tired platitude of faith wasn't designed to be a cop out.  It was designed to help people find the strength to move forward, no matter what was standing in their way.  Is that something that is really so terrible that it absolutely has to be false?

I believe that all life is connected.  I believe that our actions echo through the web.  And sometimes, I believe that our lives and our troubles can help to start the ripples in someone else's pond.

And I don't think that is a bad thing.