The Finger Revolution

Last year on Earth Day I walked into a store and was given a wooden clothes pin. On one side was written "Save Energy." Turn it over and it said, "Hang Your Clothes Out to Dry."

Strange, I thought. Here they are giving out pieces of trees as a way to honor the planet.

I wanted to tell you about it but couldn't figure out where the story went as far as an article.

When I was out taking a walk I got it. I get to tell you about THE FINGER REVOLUTION.

What, you may ask, is a finger revolution?

Great question.

You see I was pointing my finger at the folks giving out the wooden clothes pins to honor Earth Day. My mind was thinking how foolish, how wasteful, how out of alignment with what Earth Day is about, etc. In other words I was in judgment, againstness, making them wrong and making myself right.

Have you ever done that? I have and more than once.

When I was walking, enjoying the mild spring air and the green pastures filled with bright yellow dandelions I realized there are plenty of things I do that are wasteful and incongruent. Which means I'm no better than the folks I was judging at the store.

That's THE FINGER REVOLUTION. It's taking the finger that is pointing at something out there and turning it back upon oneself with a question: "I wonder how I show up in ways that are similar to that which I am judging?" or "Hmmm, how is it I resemble what I am pointing at?" Or, "How might this be in my life in this very way to serve me?"

This practice can literally revolutionize the quality of your life which is why I call it THE FINGER REVOLUTION.

If you're sincere about the question you will be surprised at what you discover.

Let's play with this. Ready?

Point "out there" at something and say out loud, "I'm upset because of U," (U being something "out there" that has triggered a reaction in you).

Here we go. 1 - 2 - 3 - - GO - ->

"I'm upset because of U."

Great work.

Now turn that pointing finger back at yourself. This is the revolution part.

Now, say aloud, "Hmm, I wonder how this is about me?"

Ready, together, "Hmmm, I wonder how this is about me?"

Pause, take time and listen for a response. If you don't hear one, perhaps you will see something in your imagination, or have a sense of an answer. If not, ask again and allow yourself the time to wonder and discover.

An example: Years ago I was very eager to 'help' my husband, who hadn't asked for my assistance, to clean up his office. He continually declined my offer, no matter how many ways I suggested to him he would be served by my kindness.

One day after banging my head against a closed door over and over and realizing it wasn't going to open I had the sense to do THE FINGER REVOLUTION. I discovered that it was easier to get into his business and fix up his office than to deal with my own. I made a commitment right then to focus on my office and stay out of his (unless of course he asked -- which he didn't).

You might guess the quality of our interactions improved as a result - and you would be correct.

I encourage you to be a revolutionary and change the quality of your life for the better. Take that finger and turn it around. You will find yourself empowered to make a positive difference in your life in ways that really count.

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"I believe that lasting revolution comes from deep changes in ourselves with influence our collective life."
~Anais Nin~