The Conversation...

In these interesting times, social media has many people involved in debate. The conversations are important, but sometimes they cease to be a conversation. Sometimes people are just lashing out - or seem to be deliberately inspiring others to do so. It can be challenging to voice an opinion when it feels like an invitation to argument and negativity.

"Hamilton" actor Brandon Victor Dixon was recently asked about the dos and don'ts of speaking out and making political statements:

"I think the 'do' is to make sure that whatever you say, that you lead with positivity, that you lead with love so that you can continue to invite people into the conversation... A lot of times we want to demonize the opposition... In our country we get into this process of winning and losing... I think it's important to make criticisms of the government as a whole and criticisms of the policies, but to do so in a way that you can invite the individuals who maybe were on the opposition before, who voted for somebody who now you are in disagreement with, that you open the door for a conversation with those people because we have to be able to come together. We have to be able to speak with one another. And that is how you alter coalitions. That is how you grow coalitions. That is how you grow consensus."

- Brandon Victor Dixon

Click here for Brandon Dixon's interview on CNN

I am reminded of an audiobook I have, of a lecture by Carolyn Myss about archetypal patterns:

"If you understand that you're an Advocate and you get that about yourself, you've gotta understand your own journey. Understanding your own journey means, 'I am crafted to represent somebody or a cause. The dicey thing for me is if I make the cause personal. The moment I make the cause personal is the moment I will involve my personal anger as fuel. If I involve my personal anger as fuel, I will take the anger from my youth. I will take anger that has nothing to do with this cause and I will smash it into people's faces and I will feel justified doing that... That contaminates everything I'm doing.'"

- Carolyn Myss, Archetypes: Who Are You? (audiobook)

Click here for additional Carolyn Myss: "Going Deep: Using Archetypes to Explore Personal and Global Change"

Here's to us each finding our voice and our passions while avoiding the pitfalls - wherever we may be on our journey.

Namaste,

T

Only Love...

"On the day of my judgement, when I stand before God 

and he asks me why did I, did I kill one of his miracles, 

what am I going to say? That it was my job?"

- Paul, The Green Mile

Humanity.

As I've watched the news and people's posts, I keep coming back to that scene in The Green Mile. People are willing to risk life and limb crossing the Canadian border in sub-zero temperatures to avoid deportation. Mothers are being torn from their families. Others are hiding in the sanctuary of churches. I keep wondering what the people "just doing their job" must be feeling.

It is time to reach deep within and stand up for ourselves - and by "ourselves" I mean our brothers and sisters. We are all one.

"My reason for pushing back on Marvin wasn't to stop the single, 

just to determine whether or not this was another one of his wild ideas... 

Motown was about music for all people - white and black, blue and green, cops and the robbers. 

I was reluctant to have our music alienate anyone. This was a big risk for his image."

- Berry Gordy

There are risks involved with taking a stand for what we believe - even when we know what is right. My prayer this week is for strength for us all, that we fearlessly stand up for what we believe in.

"I am not afraid because fear is a choice; it is not a fact. 

So today I ask you, in the true grit and spirit of a New Yorker, 

that you choose courage in the face of fear."

- Linda Sarsour

Click here for "New Yorkers rally to say "Today I am a Muslim too"

Namaste,
T

#DiveIn

Earlier this week I saw some kind of television show (may have been an infomercial) comparing taking care of oneself in retirement to being on an airplane and securing your own air mask first, before helping others.

We have to take care of ourselves in order to be able to help each other - of course.

Then there was the story of a woman trapped in her car as it was sinking into a freezing pond when a complete stranger, who just happened to see the car go off the road, jumped in the water to save her.

Click here for story: "Driver Stops to Save Woman from Sinking Car..."

I hope we take care of ourselves. We HAVE to. I also hope we don't hesitate to jump in after those who need us.

"We are constantly reminded about the things that divide us. Race, region and religion. Gender, sexual orientation, political party. But what we need so desperately are more reminders of all that binds us together - our shared history, our common values and our dedication to build for ourselves a more perfect union. More than a century ago, a poem was combined with a musical composition and became an instantly recognizable song the world over... 'America the Beautiful' captures the essence of our country and reminds us that we are - and always will be - one people, from sea to shining sea. In times of triumph and tragedy, we turn to song and the abiding power of music to lift our spirits, soothe our souls and remind us that everything will be OK."

- Neil Portnow, Grammy Speech 2017

Click here for Neil Portnow's Grammy Speech

Namaste,

T

Something to Believe In

Even BEFORE the Super Bowl, I was thinking of this...

Some game huh? Most people I know were rooting for the Falcons. After tasting victory, the loss seemed even more pronounced. There was much excitement, grumbling, gloating and disappointment. You saw it all if you were following along on social media. Then I came across several posts with another theme. They suggested looking from another angle, noticing a deeper meaning and learning something from the whole experience. They were talking about how it is possible to make a great comeback. The idea that we can win when everyone one else thinks we are losing is something we can apply to our own life situations. (Smile - I like that idea.)

There have been times this week when I have been overwhelmed with gratitude. Looking in on my sleeping family as I began writing this in the middle of the night was a classic example. Tears welled up as I truly felt as if I'd been granted every wish I'd ever hoped for - so Blessed. I wouldn't have guessed I'd be looking in on my newborn son at this time last year. I had given up on the idea.

I see the value in so many different kinds of posts  now. There's definitely a time for everything. A time for protests, a time for healing, a time for laughter, a time for sadness... I appreciate every turn of the wheel - every single thing (comfortable or not) that leads us ultimately to the next thing.

I love that people are finding balance. There are articles that educate, anger, or inspire. Then there are humorous posts with puppies and babies that make us all laugh and smile. Then there are football games and cheers. Then it's back to work.

I truly believe we're always being led to the good around every corner. We can't always see it or understand it, but everything in its own time - will come.

#Believe #BlessedBeTheJourney #Love

Namaste,
T