Those who seem to be trying to hold down your spirit can only do so with your permission. Don't let them. No one is in control of that except you. People who deliberately seek to take another's power are only making a fool's statement about their own insecurity.
Now:
With Love and Kindness in your heart, go take some action that will make you feel useful, helpful, and a positive influence on this society and world, remembering that we are all one family and our mission here is to increase Love.
We work together.
We are Divine.
"Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world."
This week started with friends, went into the challenge of
dealing with a bully, and then came back around to good times and friendship.
Before the gig
I’m beyond grateful for good people who act as my heroes in
times of need. They’re not superheroes because they swoop in and handle
anything FOR me, but because they are there for me to talk to - and in doing so
they help shift my perspective to a place of empowerment and Love.
After the gig - with John, Chelsea, and Brian
When you are able to “zoom out” or step back, or away from a
bully, things take on a new light. You realize that people who act the way they
do must feel very disempowered at their core. Why else would they try so hard
to take power away from others? They are THAT desperate. In the end – I feel a
little sorry for them. It’s too bad they can’t find a healthy way to feel
empowered for themselves.
"Any person capable of angering you becomes your master;
he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him."
- Epictetus
After my run-in with a bully, I “coincidentally” heard about
a young girl who had an issue herself. It hadn’t taken me long to understand
the dynamic I was dealing with and turn it around, but I have experience. I
don’t envy what a lot of young people have to go through today – and I
certainly wouldn’t want to have live my teenage years again. To all of us
trying to hold on to our sense of self-confidence, here’s what I think we should
remember:
Others do not define us. We define ourselves. NO ONE writes our own narrative for us. It helps to seek out information and support. We
can’t always change our life circumstance, school, or neighborhood to free
ourselves from those who like to intimidate. What we CAN do is change our
perspective. We can learn from others' experience, we can connect with people
who encourage us, and we can step away mentally and come back with a fresh
outlook. This may seem simple, but it’s not always easy. There IS a way though.
There is ALWAYS a way. In those moments before we figure it out, faith has to
carry us. Trust that you WILL come to a place of greater understanding. YOU
WILL.
Here are a couple of articles I’ve found insightful:
They've been all around me lately! When I was letting the dogs in, one flew right in front of my face. Russ said, "Whoa! Did you see that butterfly?"
Yes. I've been seeing them everywhere. It was a few days later that a little girl I know drew me a picture. "That's nice," I said, "What is it? A heart?"
"It's a butterfly," she informed me.
Saturday morning I noticed some pretty flowers in front of a local diner. While in the middle of a little flower photo shoot, we got photobombed...
Soon another one came along and didn't mind posing for a few shots...
The next day, a butterfly flew in front of me while I was talking to someone and literally interrupted our conversation. Later that day, out of nowhere, another friend texted me a picture of a butterfly.
"The butterfly is one of the most emblematic totem animals symbolizing personal transformation."
- spiritanimal.info
I have been thinking not only of personal transformation, but of transformation in a broader sense a lot lately. It seemed as if everyone was talking about sexual harassment last week. It was all over the headlines, the radio, the television and social media. I was surprised that anyone would be "shocked" that a powerful entertainment industry executive would be accused of (or could be guilty of) sexual harassment. (Really? Shocked?)
Then there were the comments from Donna Karan implying women were "asking for it" by presenting sensuality and sexuality in their appearance. (Again... REALLY??? Victim blaming? In 2017? From someone who designs those "presentations"?) After fierce criticism, she said she regretted making those comments and that she was in fact "shocked" by them herself.
The talk radio show discussing the general issue of sexual harassment had me listening so intently I missed my opportunity for a cardio workout, while opting instead to stay and listen in the parking lot of the gym. Some "brave" women came forward to talk about their battles. Others expressed their lack of "bravery" in similar situations. Many of us have experienced both sides of that fence.
I like the idea that the whole collective is transforming - standing up for ourselves in new ways, bringing to light things that were in the shadows. Does it mean that sexual harassment will stop? Certainly not. Our collective evolutions might ebb and flow like the Universe Itself. Is the fact that we are having this conversation helping someone? Without a doubt, yes. A flood of support has come via #metoo, with people posting the hashtag to indicate that they have also endured sexual harassment or sexual assault.
I think of all the ways culture and societal norms affect us all. What we wear and how we act are often weighed with considerations of how we will be perceived - for both men and women, for all kinds of reasons, and in all kinds of situations. What about a day when we can all feel free to express ourselves, sexuality and all, without fear of physical vulnerability, negative consequence, or judgment? What about a day when we can look into each others' eyes, see ourselves, and offer ourselves enough compassion, kindness, and respect? What if power came from within and was not attempted to be gained by dominating or judging another? What if profits made by uniting people and seeking their best interest far outweighed those made from selling fear and division? What if we as a human race were inching toward finally getting our act together? What if all things were actually happening for the education and good of all???
I'm down with the caterpillars. Let's transform.
#letsevolve #butterflyme #butterflywe #metoo
Namaste,
T
"Your natural beauty wants to be. Set your sexy free."
- Tanya Diona, Get Your Sexy On
"But it is not enough to merely exist," said [the butterfly],
"I need freedom, sunshine, and a little flower..."
- Hans Christian Anderson
"Butterflies... flowers that fly and all but sing."
What if we were our own complaint department? What if every time we complained about anything, we had to answer for it?
I'd like to imagine a world where, instead of complaining, we all DID something toward positive change of the things we don't like. If we're not sure WHAT to do, we would LEARN.
I watched two documentaries this week. One was about Trump, the other about Clinton. They can both be found on demand at CNN.
How many of us complaining about one candidate or the other have visited each of their websites, or learned more about them, have taken any kind of stand on the issue that we complain about, have written our congresspeople, have volunteered for a cause?
I found myself complaining this week (unrelated to the candidates or the election) and it was not pleasant. I had to make a conscious effort to ask myself what I could do to change my situation. After taking some action toward accomplishing some goals, I felt better. It seems as if to complain is to sit back and put blame on others, while giving our power away to them. We have our own power. We can do SOMETHING. In activating our own personal power, we can generate a more positive outlook within ourselves. If THAT is our state of mind, then we can open up our own creativity and be a part of solutions instead of just being a part of a chorus of complaints.
I'm going to put a complaint box on my dresser. I'll be responsible for what goes in, and I'll be responsible for answering all complaints as well. #LetsTryIt
