Though our topic remains essentially the same, let's assume that, rather than the prediction of an apocalypse actually happening, destroying our physical universe, the end of the world meant the demise of long-held, cherished and finally -- at last -- obsolete belief systems.
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I am starting this blog over. Having written a hundred words or so under the title "Shifting Sands," then saving it to be continued after doing further research on my subject, I returned to find the file had "vanished." Since this is technically impossible, I figured the blog was hiding in plain sight, signaling that Plan B would fare better; a different title, a new beginning.

Plan A was to talk about the shifting sands of time, inspired by the prophesies of the ancient Mayan calendar, which many assumed predicted the end of time on Dec. 21, 2012. Since the sun rose once more on Dec. 22, clearly there was need for an alternate interpretation.

Though our topic remains essentially the same, let's assume that, rather than the prediction of an apocalypse actually happening, destroying our physical universe, the end of the world meant the demise of long-held, cherished and finally -- at last -- obsolete belief systems.

It's good news for the gals! Actually it's good news for the guys too. After centuries of masculine dominance, this change signifies a balance of yin and yang rather than the oppressor/oppressee relationship of the war between the sexes.

Scholar, lecturer and author Dr. Jean Houston, among many others, has spoken and written extensively about this shifting paradigm, recently under the auspices of "Women On the Edge of Evolution."

Examining my own belief system for consistency and loopholes, I am now holding previous assumptions to the light for further examination. For instance: Do I really still believe that one must endure painful challenges to grow spiritually? On reflection, I am willing to loosen my mind's grip on the accuracy of this axiom! It is now carved in clay rather than stone.

Clay is easily dissolved.

Oscar Hammerstein said it as well as anyone in his superb lyric sung by the king in The King and I:

There are times I almost think
Nobody sure of what he absolutely know.
Everybody find confusion
In conclusion he concluded long ago
And it puzzle me to learn
That tho' a man may be in doubt of what he know,
Very quickly he will fight...
He'll fight to prove that what he does not know is so!
... is a puzzlement!


So if the structures we grew up believing to be solid and everlasting shift with the sands of time, perhaps we can look for hope in the words of Ira Gershwin. Taking a page from one of Ira and George Gershwin's works from the Great American Songbook, "Our Love Is Here to Stay," let's tweak the meaning of the message from romantic to agape (spiritual) love, since an everlasting concept of commitment in relationships is now all but extinct:

It's very clear; our love is here to stay.
Not for a year but ever and a day.
The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know
May just be passing fancies and in time may go.
But oh, my dear, our love is here to stay.
Together we're going a long,
long way.

In time the Rockies may crumble,
Gibraltar may tumble
They're only made of clay,
But our love is here to stay.


Walking on shifting sands feels insecure. To stay upright, one must shift in accordance with what is underfoot. It's like downhill skiing, where legs and hips sway and knees bend to accommodate the momentum of the slope, preventing the tumble that rigidity and resistance would cause.

This new era -- this new beginning -- becomes dangerous in direct proportion to the fear/resistance we bring to the adventure. We must learn to achieve balance and harmony in our local and global communities.

Always knowing that divinity has our back!

For more by Irene Tanner, click here.

For more on emotional wellness, click here.

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