![\"abyss-walker\"](\"https:\/\/nancymthurston.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/11\/abyss-walker.jpg?w=231&resize=231%2C300\")
<\/a>Years ago, in the middle of a Harvest Time sacred play ritual, I sat at a table with a group of characters. We were invited to don any of the costumes strewn around the room and come to the table dressed as the part of us that always felt excluded from the party. I don\u2019t remember my outfit, but I clearly remember the name I gave that hidden part of myself\u2014Abyss Walker.<\/p>\n
Today, I honor the abyss walker part of myself. As much as I may go kicking and screaming, complaining that I am not up to the task, I know how to walk open heartedly across an abyss, the deep fissures that cut deeply across our nation and world.<\/p>\n
First, I keep my heart open and grateful. Next, I listen\u2014really listen\u2014to others. This is the sort of listening I\u2019ve been practicing in the Be Present Empowerment Model\u2014listening to the other while simultaneously listening to myself. I need to know when the voices in my own head have grown louder than the person I am trying to listen to. Those inner thoughts are legion: My rebuttal; my fears; my corrections; my facts; and my horror. Pretending to listen when all I can hear is my own inner voice is disrespectful and leaves me with no ability to hear what is actually being said. The partnership across difference that I seek requires that I am consciously hearing the person I am listening to, and that I do whatever I need to do to keep my attention on her\/him.<\/p>\n
This sort of listening requires a level of personal responsibility that often pisses me off. It isn\u2019t fair. Why do I have to listen so respectfully when I don\u2019t feel respectfully listened to?<\/p>\n
Why indeed? The only person I am responsible for is me. I have a clear choice. I can feel virtuous in my beliefs and only listen to people with whom I agree, but that choice will allow the divisions to grow and deepen. Or I can honor my values, my spirit and my faith and act in ways\u2014in this case to listen\u2014that flow from my deepest desire.<\/p>\n
And yet, I can\u2019t abdicate responsibility for showing up in the world in the fullness of my personal leadership. We need every one of us fully present, each stepping into our full leadership. I have been given a perspective and longing that must be spoken, and acted on. This is no place for silence, for playing nice.* It is a time for respectful conversations across our differences\u2014seeking places of common ground that may be hidden by the passion of our beliefs, and refraining from demonizing the other person\u2014all the while, sharing the perspective that is mine to share.<\/p>\n
I have spent most of my adult life working for root level change\u2014of our hearts, spirits and of the society. I do believe that our democracy has long been broken and filled with historical and current injustice. Profound change is needed. This election showed that millions of Americans agree that root level change is needed.<\/p>\n
I believe that trying to change our nation from the top down, as we have done in this election, is the hardest way. But here we are. Abyss Walker will take me where the more timid parts of myself fear to tread. Who is the brave adventurer inside you, ready to lead you on the sacred path that is yours to walk for the good of our world?<\/p>\n
*Nice is a word that has too long been held as a virtue for women, despite the fact that the origins of the word \u201cnice\u201d includes stupid, ignorant, incapable, silly and coy.<\/em><\/p>\n Novels mentioned are J.R.R Tolkien\u2019s The Hobbit<\/em> and Rae Carson\u2019s Girl of Fire and Thorns<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I am no stranger to middle of the night risings. Too often I am wide awake at 3 or 4 a.m., filled with a mix of fear\u2014of real possibilities or something wild from my imagination\u2014and creativity. For much of the fall, however, I cozily slept past my usual time of night risings. That shifted after … <\/p>\n