finding the bars to your cage…
“When we make a judgment, we attempt to have a final say on whether someone or something is inherently good or bad.”
Super exciting to be a woman today, and seems we’re on our way to aligning back with our original design and purpose; deciding how others think we look is less important than how we feel doing what we want to be doing. All of us, the whole collective consciousness of this planet is seeing the change that needs to occur, and more importantly, we are acting on it. Literally calling people out, and holding them accountable; no longer is crime unstoppable, we have DNA; women will be respected, and men will stop subjugating women; immigration, education, and health care will get a reboot; campaign reform, lobbyists and corporate greed will be put in check; climate change will bring about our new lifestyles.
Do I sound a bit optimistic? Of course, I aim for the heights and keep my eye on the view when I fall short. That is how we get there, and I have faith that we will. I vow to endure the tough changes, to see our new plans through, and to not hold too tight to what is not working, but keep going forward with honorable intentions. How can we go wrong with this plan as our motto?!!
My children will learn from example how to lead their lives, they will see by example how to regain respect for a nation. I see the light that we have in us, and I feel the movement upon us. Embrace this time… for it is precious, and it is needed. Love to all, and to all – please treat yourself with kindness!
This work will require cleansing our palates from some degenerative habits, but this is good work to do for a healthy planet full of love. More specifically, we have to let some of our judgements go, and open up to the possibility that we do not know it all. Again, I see this possibility as a tangible goal, but we all have to agree on a simple foundation.
ALL OF LIFE IS A MUTATION…
WE WERE NOT THE ONE’S WHO STARTED THE PROCESS,
AND WE DO NOT GET TO DECIDE WHEN WE ARE DONE EVOLVING.
PLEASE STOP TELLING PEOPLE WHO THEY CAN LOVE
OR WHERE THEY CAN LIVE, OR WORK,
OR HOW THEY SHOULD LOOK, SPEND TIME, OR DREAM TO BE.
I AM ME, YOU ARE YOU, AND THEY ARE THEM
AS LONG AS I RESPECT YOUR RIGHT TO BE YOU,
YOU CANNOT HARM ME OR STOP ME
OR SHAME ME FROM BEING WHO…
I AM MEANT TO BE.
Letting go is a process that can affect several layers of our lives; the first step is recognizing there is a previously held value that is not a truth. This can be in many areas of your life, but let’s look at religion as an example; maybe you are thinking Jesus was an inspirational leader, and a darn good one. You could choose to ignore any others that thought differently, or worse, condemn and abuse those that hold the son of God in the hearts. Neither option gets you engaged in the beauty and community of diversity that reigns on this planet; instead, you would be confined within your clearly defined walls, holding others accountable for your decisions. The moment one throws shade, makes a judgement, condemns someone for their personal choices in life, for how they look, act or engage with this world… is the moment the bars are placed around oneself.
I adore Madisyn Taylor’s distinction between opinion and judgement:
When we make a judgment, we attempt to have a final say on whether someone or something is inherently good or bad. Judgments close us down instead of opening us up; opinions have a lighter quality and are amenable to change. Once a judgment has been made, there is no more conversation or consideration, whereas opinions invite further debate. Intuition guides us from moment to moment, but, unlike judgment, never makes a final decree. In other words, it is only healthy to be open to the information we receive and to allow ourselves to process that information. As long as we stay open and fluid, we can trust that we have not fallen prey to the trap of judgment.
I have been trying to express my views on politics with those that have an opposing, “happy as things are” outlook on Washington’s new family. What has helped is not coming from the bowels of, “you are wrong, and how can you possibly think this way?!!” That only put me in a bad place; instead, I now try to look at my fellow conversationalists as people worthy of respect, and I become more curious about our conversation. Inevitably, I walk away with the realization that we have similar preferences, and it feels good to walk away closer to each other, rather than at odds.
And this is what the macrocosm of our culture is on the verge of releasing; our deeply held (prejudiced) beliefs, and misgivings of trust in a capitalistic system. Many labels are being thrown around, but labelling and name-calling are what we need to change. There is nothing to fear from a word, it is the actions behind them that should be feared; we have certainly all fallen prey to a bully calling us a derogatory name, or worse, our parents may have belittled us into thinking their plan is the best plan. When we are willing to look past the power of a word, and instead seek to find the truth behind the fear that word created; that is where resolution, compassion and union can be found. And that is worth repeating:
When we are willing to look past the power of a word,
and instead seek to find the truth behind the fear that word created;
that is where resolution, compassion, and union can be found.
I have always found it easy to see varying viewpoints on a topic, and to go with the flow when I know I am outnumbered or outwitted. When no one means to offend, why would I not be willing to bend for another when called upon (for good cause). I do not like to be cocooned in by my own ideology, and I may need a couple bonks on the head to rattle a stronghold loose, but I will make adjustments for the higher good.