I was having a conversation about politics with a friend the other day, a woman with a huge, open heart and a presence of overflowing compassion. I call her an incarnated angel.
My angelic friend was forlorn. Disempowered. At her wit's end. Shesigns petitions. Donates money. Calls elected officials. Volunteers her time. And still, she frets, “What else can I do?” “How can I affect change?”

I listened for a long time and then was graced with this guidance:
There is a collective stew simmering, and its malodorous aroma is penetrating the air.
That metaphor reminded me of a crazy mistake I made about thirty years ago. I had found a dead turkey vulture—a spiritual symbol of death and rebirth— on the side of the road. I stopped, wrapped it in newspaper, and brought it home, where I cut off the black, feathered wings (which when dried, would be used in ceremony), tacked them to a wooden board, and covered the meaty part with salt. Then, for reasons buried deep within my memory banks, I boiled the carcass to get to the bones. I cannot imagine that a more putrid smell exists.
That same smell is the metaphoric scent permeating the collective human soul.
I imagine some people do not smell it. Lucky…or are they just soundly asleep? Many catch a whiff and cope by taking diverse political actions. And then there are others, such as my friend, who not only act, but choose to taste it.
Which is where a greater problem lies.
This is not a medicinal stew. Imbibing it does not enhance healing. Instead, it creates ailments: indigestion, frustration, disempowerment, exhaustion, anger, separation, depression, and on and on.
During these uncertain times where the air is filled with metaphoric boiling, rotting, turkey vulture bones, we each must find an empowered way to live with the smoldering smell. And especially, to not take even a tiny spoonful of its vile ingredients into our bodies.
The collective human soul is made up of millions and millions of individual human souls. And even though Earth is a planet of duality, at our core we are Spirit. This means we are eternally unified. And affected by one another in wondrous ways. Therefore:
One person’s intentions can shift the collective.
I reminded my friend to think about what her part might be. What can she do to believe that she is making a difference?
And what about you, my friends?
How can you enhance the collective Light?
What is the distinctive part/ingredient that you can add to the stew to make it less offensive?
I choose to live Unity and spread Light. Through writing. Teaching. Doing healings. At the park during my twice-a-day dog walks. “Good morning.” “Your dog is so beautiful.” At the bank. In the clothing store. I love complimenting my chiropractor's receptionist on her eye makeup; she always lights up and tells me stories. The shoppers in the aisles of Costco are especially fun to connect with.
It’s amazing how the slightest kindness can brighten someone’s moment. We are all so hungry to be seen.
Whatever your ingredient is, my friend and I thank you for adding it. It will unite with all the rest, and through the magic of alchemy, transform the stew into something nourishing and healing.

Let's do our parts. Add our ingredients.
Without expectations. Whether or not we see results.
We can’t take the stew pot off the stove and dump it in the far end of the yard like I did with the awful turkey vulture broth, but remember this: the other side of death is rebirth. And when we add a little bit of sugar or salt or spice to a stew, doesn't the flavor change for the better?
My Teacher said, "Unity exists even in the most dire experiences of separation."
Remember Unity. Live Love. Enhance the Collective Light.
The Light of Love is All.
3 comments
Absolutely. This has been my approach. As I recently heard, “I am not lost. I am right here.” There is much to be done in each moment to live in and share the Light. Thank you, Annie, for your wise work.
Thank you for this post! I am saving it to read again and again, whenever I feel like your friend feels. This really helps to put my mind on a more helpful focus: What can I do to believe I am making a difference?
This is so beautiful and so needed at this time. I have found myself in despair and only have moments of calm and joy. My journeying is soothing for a short time. Having this message as a life raft gives me calm, peace, courage, and faith. As we work on the rebirth and shift of consciousness – keeping our love and light high is critical. As an energy healer and light worker, however, at these times I have been challenged in doing so. Your reminder today is beautiful! Thank you!!!