So... I'm blogging. I don't know what's going to come out here, but here I am. Showing up. There's so much going on in the world right now that my blog topic ideas have been all over the place... and I just haven't been able to sit myself down and commit to one of them. So I will just start writing with all of them in mind and hope that some thru-line emerges. Bear with me... ;-)
So, hey... how are you? Have you been feeling at all like I have?... trying to focus on the simple, sacred, joyous day to day life experience best you can and still be tuned in to what's going on in the world?... trying to figure out what's yours to do with it all? Pretty intense stuff these past few weeks. I maintain that in spite of everything (especially what the media feeds us), there is more good than not. But I also know we've got to look at things. Not only look, but dig deep. I'm not even sure where to begin here.
I guess I'll just start with the biggie: "Black Lives Matter" and "White Privilege". All that has been uncovered in the past few weeks has been stirring in my mind... my heart... my being... in a way that is most definitely creating a shift. A lot of questions and tender thought. I myself acknowledge that I am of White Privilege. I get it. I accept it. And honestly... I'm struggling with the "shame" of it. It's tough. As it should be, I suppose. But I also know that shame is not going to help anything. I think my big question (because I seem to have more questions than answers these days and I think that's OK... to stand in the questions) is this: How do we truly enlighten and empower each other without shaming? Even on a subtle or subconcious level? Not only in race relations, but in politics, in religious/spiritual beliefs... how do we truly create change and recognize equality in terms of worth without shaming each other? I have seen many articles and posts on social media with good intentions and lots of information... but that feel like shame to me. I don't want sympathy for this... God no. Just looking for a way to break through the shame of "wrongs" and move toward empowered action. And it's just not that easy. It's just not.
I am grateful for having my eyes opened through all this. I see so clearly that I was raised with a lot of "sameness"... in my physical surroundings and in attitudes around me. There was supposedly safety and comfort in sameness. It was encouraged. It just was. Diversity was scary and to be avoided. And it's easy to just slip into sameness. To be drawn toward others that seem just like you. So, just knowing this, I have learned to look deeper. At the ways we are the same that don't look or feel the same on the outside. The key here is learned. Just as valuing sameness is a learned thing, so is honoring diversity. Learning to see right through to the one heart inside. To humanity. That there is a part of us all that really is the same inside... that we are all of the human race with the same basic needs.
So.... this brings me to the next biggie: politics. I really don't like politics, and I avoid posting political stuff on my social media pages, especially inflammatory bashing. But I do post political stuff that promotes higher wisdom (yes, it exists!). And I don't have to like politics in order to do my part: to educate myself, promote what I am for (rather than what I'm against), and vote. And here's where sameness comes in (see, there is a thru-line!). I really feel like we are being asked right now to stretch beyond our comfort zones. To look good and hard at each other and what binds us... not what divides us. And that it takes learning and practice. Actually, it's an un-learning, really... because we have no concept of differences and discrimination when we're born. But the point is, there is no shame in having been taught bias and discrimination and knowing we've got some work to do. It's about standing in the questions of what true equality looks like and what it takes to "get there" and being open to learning. But not out of shame. And not out of fear. And not even out of anger. They may be justified, but they are low-frequency vibrations that won't bring about the radical shift we need in the most truly beneficial way. We need to be empowered out of love, hope, compassion, and empathy. I will stand in the question of how best to do that by way of action. I will pray for guidance. And I will look toward leadership that helps us do this (and vote for leadership that helps us do this!). It's about interdependence (I really love that word). Being stronger together.
I have a lot of questions, yes. But here's what I know. And what I defend. Because I'm a light-worker, dammit. Lol. I can't help it. ;-) Looking to the light... focusing on and growing the positive is a choice. It's not the same as "head in the sand" or "head in the clouds" or whatever. It's not denial of problems, but it is a rejection of fear. A rejection of cynicism. (Thank you, President Obama for your powerful words around that at last night's convention). You find what you look for. And you grow what you focus on. We have to decide how we want to experience life... for ourselves and for the world live in... and promote the heck of that. To see what is good and right already. And then... look at where we still need to go. The possibilities for more good and what we can do to "get there". Together.
And. And. All of this going on... AND. It's summer! We're alive. We're breathing. I look out my window and I see trees and gardens... a dog... birds. There is music being made, love being shared, wine being sipped, and silly laughter. We can balance the depth and intensity of these times with simple joys. Paying attention to those moments that bring a smile. And really feeling them. Contrast is good for that reason... it forces us to seek balance. We can breathe through it all and find some respite in the gray areas. In the questions. In the process. In the awakening. In active surrender. In love.
As always, my friends... Namaste. :-)
So, hey... how are you? Have you been feeling at all like I have?... trying to focus on the simple, sacred, joyous day to day life experience best you can and still be tuned in to what's going on in the world?... trying to figure out what's yours to do with it all? Pretty intense stuff these past few weeks. I maintain that in spite of everything (especially what the media feeds us), there is more good than not. But I also know we've got to look at things. Not only look, but dig deep. I'm not even sure where to begin here.
I guess I'll just start with the biggie: "Black Lives Matter" and "White Privilege". All that has been uncovered in the past few weeks has been stirring in my mind... my heart... my being... in a way that is most definitely creating a shift. A lot of questions and tender thought. I myself acknowledge that I am of White Privilege. I get it. I accept it. And honestly... I'm struggling with the "shame" of it. It's tough. As it should be, I suppose. But I also know that shame is not going to help anything. I think my big question (because I seem to have more questions than answers these days and I think that's OK... to stand in the questions) is this: How do we truly enlighten and empower each other without shaming? Even on a subtle or subconcious level? Not only in race relations, but in politics, in religious/spiritual beliefs... how do we truly create change and recognize equality in terms of worth without shaming each other? I have seen many articles and posts on social media with good intentions and lots of information... but that feel like shame to me. I don't want sympathy for this... God no. Just looking for a way to break through the shame of "wrongs" and move toward empowered action. And it's just not that easy. It's just not.
I am grateful for having my eyes opened through all this. I see so clearly that I was raised with a lot of "sameness"... in my physical surroundings and in attitudes around me. There was supposedly safety and comfort in sameness. It was encouraged. It just was. Diversity was scary and to be avoided. And it's easy to just slip into sameness. To be drawn toward others that seem just like you. So, just knowing this, I have learned to look deeper. At the ways we are the same that don't look or feel the same on the outside. The key here is learned. Just as valuing sameness is a learned thing, so is honoring diversity. Learning to see right through to the one heart inside. To humanity. That there is a part of us all that really is the same inside... that we are all of the human race with the same basic needs.
So.... this brings me to the next biggie: politics. I really don't like politics, and I avoid posting political stuff on my social media pages, especially inflammatory bashing. But I do post political stuff that promotes higher wisdom (yes, it exists!). And I don't have to like politics in order to do my part: to educate myself, promote what I am for (rather than what I'm against), and vote. And here's where sameness comes in (see, there is a thru-line!). I really feel like we are being asked right now to stretch beyond our comfort zones. To look good and hard at each other and what binds us... not what divides us. And that it takes learning and practice. Actually, it's an un-learning, really... because we have no concept of differences and discrimination when we're born. But the point is, there is no shame in having been taught bias and discrimination and knowing we've got some work to do. It's about standing in the questions of what true equality looks like and what it takes to "get there" and being open to learning. But not out of shame. And not out of fear. And not even out of anger. They may be justified, but they are low-frequency vibrations that won't bring about the radical shift we need in the most truly beneficial way. We need to be empowered out of love, hope, compassion, and empathy. I will stand in the question of how best to do that by way of action. I will pray for guidance. And I will look toward leadership that helps us do this (and vote for leadership that helps us do this!). It's about interdependence (I really love that word). Being stronger together.
I have a lot of questions, yes. But here's what I know. And what I defend. Because I'm a light-worker, dammit. Lol. I can't help it. ;-) Looking to the light... focusing on and growing the positive is a choice. It's not the same as "head in the sand" or "head in the clouds" or whatever. It's not denial of problems, but it is a rejection of fear. A rejection of cynicism. (Thank you, President Obama for your powerful words around that at last night's convention). You find what you look for. And you grow what you focus on. We have to decide how we want to experience life... for ourselves and for the world live in... and promote the heck of that. To see what is good and right already. And then... look at where we still need to go. The possibilities for more good and what we can do to "get there". Together.
And. And. All of this going on... AND. It's summer! We're alive. We're breathing. I look out my window and I see trees and gardens... a dog... birds. There is music being made, love being shared, wine being sipped, and silly laughter. We can balance the depth and intensity of these times with simple joys. Paying attention to those moments that bring a smile. And really feeling them. Contrast is good for that reason... it forces us to seek balance. We can breathe through it all and find some respite in the gray areas. In the questions. In the process. In the awakening. In active surrender. In love.
As always, my friends... Namaste. :-)
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