The Clappers

Author's Note: Recently, I was inspired to write about why it can be so hard to connect to our heart/Soul. I'm breaking it down into a 3-part blog series. Today is the first part. It is my hope that this series will assist you in some way in developing a connection to your own heart/Soul.

I came across a news story recently about a young boy who had an allergic reaction on an airplane (click here to link to story). As dogs are now more common on planes, coupled along with the airlines not cleaning between flights as they used to, it’s easy to have an allergic reaction. According to the family, it was the first time he's had such a reaction. The boy and his family were asked to deplane – which they did. Not only was the child suffering physically, through no fault of his own, as the family de-boarded – people in the back of the plane clapped. They clapped. As if that wasn't bad enough, the family was on a bucket list trip as the little boy’s dad has terminal cancer. His mom posted her son's reaction on her Facebook account: What crushed us was that our 7 yr old boy looked at us with tear filled eyes and said, "I'm sorry that I put you through this. This is all my fault" then he proceeded to say, "I can't believe that people clapped. They shouldn't do that because they never know who already has sadness in their hearts"

It’s the me-me-me syndrome. It's all about me and I don’t give a crap about you. The young boy’s allergic reaction delayed the flight, so I understand people stressing over missing connections. Some of them may have had heartbreaking reasons as to why they had to make their next flight. Was applauding this family, who willingly de-boarded the flight, an act of compassion? Absolutely not. This brings to mind the quote by Wendy Mass: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.

It was very easy to feel sympathy for the boy and his family, but when it came to the people who applauded, my emotions ran the gambit. Maybe because I’m super sensitive, it grates me that much more to be exposed to people who are completely insensitive. My first reaction was to comment on the story and share my displeasure of such egotistical, ridiculous behavior, but I realized that would stoop me down to the level of those I was so displeased with. The little boy and his family has my compassion, but so do the people who felt the need - and entitlement - to clap. Two wrongs don’t make a right.  The comment section of the news story varied between how horrible the clappers are to it’s the parents’ fault. Lots of blaming and finger pointing - from those who weren’t even present for the situation. When we throw nasty energy at each other, we may as well be the “clappers.” They showed a lack of compassion. Many people commenting on the story did the same.

The finger pointing and blame game are the ego’s way of maintaining separation. The cruelty of behavior, comments and actions generate more of the same negative energies. What happened on that flight was unpleasant and unnecessary, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn from. Here's the 1st key to  connecting to your heart/Soul: recognize that you have free will. You have the choice to choose to remain in the me-me-me game and "clap away" or you can make the effort to get out of your head and come from your heart with love and compassion - thus recognizing the true essence of who you really are. It's about becoming aware and consciously making the choice that allows you to be more connected to your heart/Soul.

Love, Adrienne :)