All trouble is rooted in disconnection.

Scene One, Take One: Dinner time. A family of four sits down to share a meal. It is later than their normal meal time, everyone is hungry. The two children are arguing over who gets to sit in which chair. The mother is mad the father was late without calling to let her know. The teenager doesn’t like what is on her plate and she gets up to make something else in the kitchen. The mother thinks to herself, no one respects me, hubby doesn’t call, daughter doesn’t like my cooking. The father had a stressful day and is quiet, processing recent work events. The youngest child, a son, is so excited about having the best day ever at school and he won’t stop talking. Everyone in their own head can’t even digest what he is sharing. The boy notices no one is listening, he goes silent and disengages.

When there are issues of any kind the root cause is disconnection. Without a doubt. Separation from self, others, God, Universe, Spirit, Mother Nature or those you love, will lead to trouble in River City. That’s with a capital  T. (A little Music Man reference, if you are a fan of musicals.)

Scene One, Take Two: Dinner Time. A family of four is focused and ready to come together around the table.  Everyone is hungry. All pause briefly before digging into the food and conversation to say a grace. A moment to connect to those around the table. Two family members offer a word of thanks, the other two listen and pass on speaking out loud, preferring to acknowledge their gratitude in silence. Plenty of room around the table for words and silence, different ways to come together honoring everyone’s need. The father, asks the daughter about her day. She shares the highlights and politely tells her mother she is appreciative of the meal, but it is not her favorite and asks to get something else from the fridge. Gone only briefly she returns with leftovers from the night before and asks her mother about her day. Mother has a lot to share. The mother asks the son about his day. The boy has lots to share. After sharing the boy thanks the mother for the meal and asks the father about his day. He shares a highlight or two.  All taking turns to share in their own way. All honoring with their listening. Bread broken, given and received. Shared as one. Together at the table with a capital T.

Scene Two, Take One: Meal over. Everyone gets up from the table. The father puts away the food. The mother finds music on Pandora, while the children clear and wipe the table. As music fills the kitchen it fights to be heard over the laughter. Daughter washes the dishes, son dries, dad puts away and mother dances while sweeping.

All trouble is rooted in disconnection. All resolutions come from connection.

End scene.

Where in your life is there a bit of Trouble with a capital T? Are you disconnected from your highest self? Are you disconnected from those you love? What is the first step you can take toward connection? When are you willing to make that first step?

Cheers, Jenny