A couple of times this week I have been in the vicinity of that elusive, peaceful, calm center; which (with some effort) I believe is sometimes easier to locate in the midst of upheaval and turmoil. Perhaps due to the contrast.
This week my thoughts have revolved around substance and fulfillment, and I am finding them most accessible through exoteric goodness and by doing the right thing. 'Exoteric Goodness' and 'Doing the Right Thing' sound very close to the same, but I don't believe they are. I believe, to leave Goodness in your wake, one must first decide 'What is the right thing?' And I think that can only be decided with a depth of inner reflection; and even then there is uncertainty.
Exoteric Goodness is felt externally and in its purest sense, is left or passed along anonymously. Doing the Right Thing is formulated internally and in its purest sense, is unattainable. I don't have a system or a method for deciding the 'right thing' but I can tell you (for me) it is often not the easiest thing; nor is it necessarily the most obvious thing, the most popular thing, or the loudest thing. This week I have found it lonely and painful, yet also peaceful; because, while this may not be 'THE' right thing, I feel it is as close as I will come.
I am talking about a significant change in my empirical reality, but (as it should be) through this process I have grown transcendentally. And, from feedback received I believe I have left (at least a little) Goodness in my wake; (I hope as time goes on, this is borne out). As stated above, it is important that the recognition of this not be my motivating factor. I do strongly believe that the most impactful, effective Exoteric Goodness is that which is anonymous. Just as a gift grows with each passing from one to another, so to should Goodness grow as it is passed from one to another; each one adding 'a little something extra' - lagniappe. And as I think this through it is very true that my thoughts, feelings, and actions this week have been influenced and encouraged by many others who have passed their gifts along to me.
... It has been a lonely, painful, peaceful week.