Breaking Patterns to Heal the Cosmos
“Ordinarily we are swept away by habitual momentum and don’t interrupt our patterns even slightly.”
Pema Chodron, The Places That Scare You
Sometimes we need to break our patterns. Sometimes we don’t even realize that we are stuck in patterns that no longer serve us. Sometimes it takes a massive wake up call on a global scale to offer some perspective and insight into our own lives as well as our collective existence in a universal scheme that is much larger than us.
It is a rare occurrence when the universe offers a very clear picture illustrating just how much the microcosm has fallen out of sync with the macrocosm. If that is even possible. I think it might be exactly what is going on right now. A break in synchronicity that has left the whole of our existence completely unbalanced and uncertain. Until we can break and reverse the negative patterns that have brought us to this point.
According to ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras (570-495 B.C.), the cosmos and human beings exist as one harmonious unity, where the part (human being, the microcosm) and the whole (the cosmos, the macrocosm) mutually and simultaneously reflect the other in a carefully constructed co-dependent relationship. Human beings in essence are simply a fractional piece of the entire cosmos with all the same components on a smaller scale. But for this theory to be true, we might have to accept the anthropic principle as a truth as well.
The anthropic principle is a specific philosophical consideration which states that “any data we collect about the universe is filtered by the fact that, in order for it to be observable in the first place, it must be compatible with the conscious and sapient life that observes it.” (Wikipedia) Basically, the one cannot exist without the other. The macrocosm requires the microcosm to observe it in order for it to exist at all. And the microcosm requires the macrocosm as the broader expanse which defines its very own existence. We are mutually obligated to care for the other so that we can prevent complete and total self destruction.
So what happens when these two mutually dependent forces fall out of sync with each other? When the microcosm has drifted so far away from the purpose and intention of the macrocosm, things no longer operate in that perfect harmony which brought our existence into existence. And suddenly it seems like the whole world has shifted into a state of chaos that is no longer organized, but rather it is just big, hot mess of humans being forced to reevaluate what exactly we are supposed to be consciously observing about the macrocosm that absorbs us.
And so, here we sit, forced into a state of isolation and lock down, physically separated from all other microcosmic influences and tasked with making sense out of a dramatic disconnect that has shifted our way of life. When something of this nature occurs, we have no choice but to evaluate and consider whether or not we are to blame as the intrinsic cause of a broken cosmic harmony.
Returning to the opening quote about habitual momentum propelling us forward as we are stuck within detrimental patterns that have become destructive not only to ourselves but to the cosmos as a whole. I cannot help but wonder if the cosmos has realized that its microcosmic parts have fucked up in a very grandiose way. And so here we are, in the present state of things, being forced to investigate where we have gone wrong. As such we are now tasked with figuring out what we can do to break the dysfunctional patterns which brought us here.
To put it bluntly, the cosmos is a little bit pissed at us humans for losing sight of the importance of our synchronicity. In order to return to a balanced and congruent existence, we must find a way back to a peaceful equilibrium with the universe. We must break the old harmful patterns which have manifested over the course of our human existence. Somewhere along the line, we have gotten way off track and began doing things that are in grave opposition to the very thing that gives us life. In order to prevent mass destruction of everything that is, we have to right the wrongs and return to an integrated state of symbiosis with the only thing that guarantees and supports our existence.
In order to return to a healthy state of equilibrium, what patterns do you think we need to break as a collective whole?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: Coat and Dress-Kohl’s / Tights-Torrid / Boots-JustFab / Clutch-Old Navy / Necklace-c/o Happiness Boutique / Earrings-Old
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
42 Comments
Tamar Benjamin
Love that color on you!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! It isn’t a color I wear often. I guess I should!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
I agree that we get stuck in patterns that we don’t realize. And it can definitely be hard to break but it helps.
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks for reading, Jennifer! I feel like we collectively need to make major changes in the way we live in this world. We can be so destructive in so many ways.
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
Are we humans being issued a massive “time out, go to your rooms”? Perhaps!
In my work-at-home hours spent in the Digital Dungeon, I have decided the current layout is not serving me. An email from a time management expert – which I can’t locate – suggested having one’s work station near a window to help make the working space nicer.
See you on the other side of the office reorg!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Haha, I totally just said that to Jeff last night…I feel like we are teenagers who have been grounded indefinitely for not obeying our parents! My work space faces the inside of a closet…no windows at all and heaped up pile of clutter! I need to rework my space as well. But I am probably not going to. I might just take my laptop outside instead! Good luck with your office reorg!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
Yeah, laptop outside sounds great — except when it’s raining!
IF ONLY I had that “art shed” I was trying to save money to obtain.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
An art shed sounds like a fabulous thing! I want one now, too! It is a beautiful day here today, but probably still a little too cool to sit outside.
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
My desk is now by the window! I can see birds of paradise plants! I’m getting #freshair!!!!!! What a difference!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Yay! I am still sitting in my cloffice staring at the wall, but I did put on nature sounds so it sounds like I am sitting by a peaceful stream!
Anne M Bray
CLOFFICE!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
We turned a big coat closet into my office so it is now the cloffice. My desk his wedged in the middle of my ever growing coat collection!
Marilee Judith Gramith
Your gas station backdrop made for a very interesting photo portfolio. I liked the surreal juxtaposition of gas pumps and wine colored lace. The snow seemed almost too white, and that stump was a genius find and a “natural” prop. YOU look exceptionally lovely in this vignette my dear!
I’ve always loved the way your ideas aren’t just about fashion, much of the time. In this post, I think your honest focus was obscured by an overabundance of words but I trust you’re working for honest feelings and your own truths.
This post was a very creative way to illustrate a mood (?) of reevaluation that is happening for many of us. Perhaps you’re reevaluating what constitutes an appropriate lifescape. I get a vibe of personal reassessment. I admire your desire to solve this period of pandemic imposed social isolation. I too believe that it’s important for us to come out the other side with more social, environmental and political resolve and responsibility. Having had time to examine our mistakes, will we make those necessary changes? I hope so.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jude, as always, I thank you for such an insightful and honest response to my post. I was writing this while I was surrounded by a whole lot of kid and husband activity and I got myself a little lost in the words and concepts that I was trying to express and unravel! So I do appreciate your critique of that part of my post and I will definitely keep it in mind when I travel down these deeply philosophical paths again. I suppose if the content is confusing to me as the writer, it will most likely lose my readers as well!
That being said, you did get where I was coming from and where I was trying to go…so thank you for that as well! Yes, there is lots of time for deep thought right now that has me reevaluating lots of things. And as you know, I process it all through writing. I don’t share the entire process publicly, but I do try to share some of it in the hopes that it will have some positive impact somewhere along the line.
And I, like most everyone else, am hoping for a better future in the aftermath of this current situation.
Thank you again for always supporting what I do (or what I am trying to do). I appreciate it so very much. Stay safe and healthy, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ellibelle
Loving this burgundy outfit on you! The boots look amazing!
Ellibelle’s Corner
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ellie!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anha
Love your shoes. Really cool !!!!
xoxo
Anha.
https://www.eikomania.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Anha! I definitely need to show them off more often!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
You are so good about thinking about life differently and keeping it real Shelbee!! I think most people would rather do the same thing over and over because it’s comfortable. But I always love the saying about insanity….
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jodie! I definitely do not think the same way as the majority, that’s for sure. And I often will keep those thoughts to myself for fear of being ridiculed, but sometimes I just have to let it all out even though I may be viewed as a complete weirdo! Thank you for indulging me and appreciating my insanity!
xoxo
Shelbee
FancyBoy
You look cute! Stop being wasteful and putting people before profits would be great patterns to break!
I’m looking into unemployment benefits— it’s a nightmare getting through! Glad you’re doing good— is it really still that snowy there??? Jeez!!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Becky! Oh yes, that pattern definitely needs to be broken! I am glad that you are looking into the benefits. I am sure it is a total nightmare, but hopefully it is worth the hassle and you get approved and can get through this nightmare! Good luck with it and please keep me posted on how it all works out!
And no, it isn’t snowy here…these pictures were taken in February. But we do have snow flurries in the forecast for Friday and later next week.
xoxo
Shelbee
Linda W.
I think Mother Nature is mad as hell and isn’t gonna take it anymore!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Linda, I have to say that I agree with you completely! She is pissed and we kind of deserve it. Thanks for stopping and sharing your thoughts!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sherry
I couldn’t agree more with the patterns we are stuck in! I think Mother Nature needed a break in a big way and this is the cycle that made it happen. Who knows but I can’t help thinking there is more to it than we could possibly fathom. On that note. That’s an out of this world cute and cozy jacket. 🙂 Hope you are having a good week in all this chaos and uncertainty.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Sherry! I also think Mother Nature got a bit tired of our crap and is putting us on a big ole time out! So I am just rolling with it and respecting the choices made by the universe. Stay well, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lise
Mostly I think humans need to respect animals more. L
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lise, thanks so much for responding! I think we need to respect all living things more…we seem to be a very disrespectful species!
xoxo
Shelbee
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Cute boots for that cold BRR snowy weather! Thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 11, open April 1 to 26.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Dee!
xoxo
Shelbee
ratnamurti
This is such a fabulous post. First up: I have serious chic envy at your outfit: dress, tights, boots, bag. But more importantly, sad times. How could a whole planet of humanity got it so wrong? Millions of us live in affluence whilst millions live in scary and appalling displaced situations. Shame on us all. What you wrote has touched my heart; it is so true and so profound. I hope that those of us who have the luxury of making changes in our lives, look at our time as part of the whole; our own little micro being of help to the macro on this planet. Go well, Shelbee, you have a great gift for writing. In New Zealand, we have a Maori saying which is such an important influence on us: “hee tangata, hee tangata, hee tangata: it is the people, it is the people, it is the people (meaning “this is what matters, the people”)
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ratnamurti, I am seriously overwhelmed with gratitude at your comment and your feedback on my writing and my message and my outfit. Not going to lie…I teared up a little. You are so kind and caring and really connected to the earth in the right way. I do hope that when we get to the other side of this craziness, that we make better efforts to treat our planet with the respect and care that it deserves. I suppose people like you and me need to continue spreading these messages. I adore that Maori saying and I think I will probably use it at some point to drive my message home!
xoxo
Shelbee
lorena
First of all I love how these colors look together and on you !
The rich burgundy with the softer jacket works really well.
Answering your question, it feels more like the earth shaking off what it cannot carry.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lorena, thank you so much! This outfit was my attempt to combine some unexpected colors together and see how it worked. I do like the final result. And I love your description of what’s going on in the world…”the earth shaking off what it cannot carry”. We have indeed become too heavy for our planet. Stay safe and healthy, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
I don’t know how I missed this post. It is so very true and I believe that this is just the tip of the sword, both the cosmos and Mother Nature are truly pissed off with us.
Looking very nice and I will refrain from any gas station jokes.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! Mother Nature is most definitely angry at us. We are a bunch of assholes from her perspective, for sure.
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
Or not in harmony with the Tao. I’m an athiest, but I find that different philosophical perspectives can illuminate pieces of our psyche, and give us the tools to take stock and reevaluate. In any case, all of our energy and mass is part of the universe. Albert Einstein taught us this with E = mc^2. When we die, all of our matter and energy is returned to the cosmos. Nothing is lost except for our pattern. The Buddhists look at life as a ripple on pond. Our lives are the ripples, the pond is the universe.
While a virus mutation could happen at any time, human greed and the desire for power has prevented us from being prepared. 2 countries are handling this well – South Korea, and Germany.
Lastly, I love this outfit! The boots in particular are divine!
Michelle
http://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Michelle, thanks so much for your lovely compliment and sharing this wonderful philosophical perspective. My beliefs and philosophies definitely align very closely with Buddhist theories. But I do want to have a conversation with you one day about atheism. We touched on it briefly the one time we chatted on the telephone. But when I read about it, I do get a little lost. Maybe I am getting too hung up on literal meanings and such. While I am definitely not a religious sort, I still believe that there is something bigger and greater and smarter than us that has some kind of power or control over the existence of everything. I don’t know if that would be considered a deity which is what atheism rejects. But maybe it is not that at all. I believe we have a certain amount of control to exercise our free will, but I also think much of everything has some component of fate or destiny. The control which causes ripple effects from our actions cannot be entirely in the hands of humans. Ooohhh, I think we might need to set up some phone chat time! Because I need more coffee right now before I can continue on with this line of thinking!
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
I really hope that we can make a positive change as a result of the pandemic and be kinder to the planet and each other. I love your outfit Shelbee, those boots are amazing!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Emma! I have the same hopes. And I am trying to keep my inner cynic silenced!
xoxo
Shelbee
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