Why I said, "YES" ... to witness the rescue of 33 miners

As I ponder all of the times I have said, "YES!" to things in my life, the "why I said yes," always leads to the same answer: "...because my heart told me so." Reflecting on this I am reminded that this is where the richest moments, the richest memories reside. The times I felt something stirring in my heart that led me to a moment of saying, "YES!"

This was a simple moment of saying yes that led to a deeper reason for my life.

Maybe some of you remember the real life story about the Chilean mine workers who were trapped underground from August 4-October 13, 2010. Seventy days trapped in an underground mine.

I found out about the story near the end of the ordeal, right before they were rescued. I read about it one morning on Huffington Post as I was sitting in my local coffee shop. There was something about a community of men surviving together that drew me into the story and I read and watched everything I could about it for several days.

Here are a few brief details in case you didn't see it.

On Aug 5, a mine collapsed with 33 miners trapped inside.

On Aug 22, a 6 inch hole was drilled and reached the miners. It took 17 days to drill that hole and it was discovered that all 33 were alive.

Two more holes were drilled. These became the lifelines for delivering supplies, communication and fresh air.

If you want more details leading up to the rescue, here is a link to one Huff Post article from Aug 2010. Chile Mine Collapse Article

As I said earlier, I discovered the information about the mine collapsing a few days before they were rescued.

I read details every day and added the men and their families to my prayer list. On the day the rescue began, I was working on the computer searching for more information.  The four-meter long “Phoenix” capsule painted in the red, white and blue colors of the Chilean flag was beginning to hoist the 33 miners to the surface through a 26-inch wide hole. It was estimated it would take about one hour to rescue each man. That meant it would span over two days.

I discovered a Live streaming Ustream channel with camera shots underground and above ground. I held my breath and watched as the first man was rescued. Connected with the on-line community we all chatted words of support for the miners. Posting our prayers and counting the last few seconds, then cheers and html code that appeared as hearts and celebratory exclamations of joy!

I knew in that moment I had to witness the rescue and to hold a space in prayer and community.  I felt a strong inner yes to clear my schedule and join the on-line community that was already holding a vigil for this. On Ustream Live, I witnessed the rescue and I also witnessed a group of people who were strangers before the event. Many of them stayed awake all night.

There were moments when the rescue went smoothly, one man steadily raised to the surface after another. Then, there was a short period of time when it looked like there would be a delay which could mean days, weeks or longer.  We huddled together online holding virtual hands in times of concern and offering virtual cups of coffee and donuts in moments of celebration.

I found out later it was estimated that one billion people watched the rescue. I wondered how many had joined together and created new tribes like the group of people on Ustream.

                                                                         *****

The story popped back into my mind yesterday on Easter morning.

Whether you celebrate Easter or not, it is a symbol for the experience I had been watching during the rescue of the miners. Another reflection of support and witnessing...

It is written that after the Last Supper, Jesus took the disciples and went to the garden at Gethsemane to pray. He asked three of the disciples, Peter, James and John to stay awake and keep watch. He knew that the betrayer Judas would soon be upon them. But the disciples were tired and could not stay awake. Three times Jesus left to pray and he returned to find the disciples sleeping. By falling asleep, the disciples also betrayed Jesus.

The rescue of the miners and staying awake. The betrayal of Jesus by falling asleep.

In this time of great change on the planet, my inner "yes" is telling me I am ready to stay awake with you. I am ready to wake up to new ideas and new solutions to make a difference.

The inner, "Yes" I felt to stay awake and hold watch for the miners has carried into my life in a deeper way/. I am waking up to ways that I can share my unique gifts, to join in collaborative community, and to find inner peace within to reflect it out to the world.

I will stay awake with you. Will you stay awake with me?