Reckoning with Ourselves

In each situation, we are given the opportunity to respond with honesty about our impact. The outer world reflects our inner condition—our fears, our selfishness, our anger—but also our longing for balance and healing. Facing our shadows is not about guilt or shame; it’s about responsibility. We have all contributed to harm, whether by action, inaction, or ignorance. The work now is to acknowledge it, not deny it. The work that we are required to do is to reconcile the external world that we have created with the inner wisdom that we have acquired. Choosing awareness over reactivity, compassion over control, we create the conditions for change. We stop pretending the problem is “out there.” This is how we show up—by telling the truth about ourselves and doing the hard internal work that real peace requires. The world won’t change unless we do.

May we have the courage to reconcile the world
we’ve shaped with the wisdom we carry within.

(inspired by Sherri Mitchell, Sacred Instructions)