Dressed as Liberty. Celebrating becoming a US citizen.
It’s not easy to wake up and want to move forward in a world that suddenly feels wrong. When you see what appears to be a complete change overnight and not in the direction you had hoped. This change is not just our shared recent events, but anytime we are confronted with policies that infringe people’s rights, or viewpoints that aggravate all sides, or truths that unsettle an existing status quo.
Move forward we must, though. So, let’s just take a moment and look back to see what has brought us collectively and more importantly individually to this point.
As I look, my consciousness pulls me way back, past the conflicts in the last decades, past the Civil Rights movement, past World Wars 2 then 1, past the Suffragette movement, past the Civil War, past the war of Independence, past the battles against indigenous people, past empires of different epochs, past tribe against tribe, past brother against brother, past it all.
I see conflict.
And I see cooperation.
Both have in their own way created us and guided our movement forward whether we like it or not. But does it have to be this way? Isn’t there a way for us to move forward with less bloodshed and more prosperity and peace?
Malcolm X believed it possible- “It’s freedom for everybody or freedom for nobody… America is in a unique position. She’s the only country in history in a position actually to become involved in a bloodless revolution.”
Malcolm was speaking on Civil Rights and the Black Nationalist movement, but today we find ourselves in much the same struggle. Can we find peaceful solutions?
We can, but we must move past propaganda, negativity, and short-sightedness. We can seek freedom from persecution, from fear, from scarcity. Freedom cultivated and harvested collectively and individually. That’s what our struggles and sabotages have been about all along. Freedom of expression, freedom to move, to be, to have a life. This, I feel is an evolutionary directive communicating through our genes, our ancestors, and untold migrations all species have pursued: Freedom.
With that and the current climate in mind, I present to you a list of things we can do to steer the course of our nation and our lives in a more inclusive, peaceful direction.
1 Clarity – get super clear about what you stand for – not just rights or laws but the essence of what you want to feel and be on a daily basis. Be it peace, kindness, or freedom connect to that essence before taking any steps to ensure that your actions are in alignment with your core truths.
2 Do things you love to do – for example, doodling, spending time in nature or having fun with friends. This is important to do so as not to become despondent in the face of challenges and setbacks. This is your prime real estate to maintain and nourish ie doing the things that make you feel good inside. This will keep you on the good foot.
3 Befriend your enemy – it’s time to get off our backs and get to know the hearts of those who have different opinions and political views than us. We are more alike than different – we all want to have good health, shelter, nourishment, and security. Of course, there are a few weeds out there on both sides, unwilling to bend but that is not the majority. Believe in yourself and make new friends.
4a Engage – Engage in life, with family, with colleagues and neighbors. Engage in local, national and global politics. Run for School boards, housing association boards, county seats etc. I know these roles will take time but we need to become part of the fabric of our society to effect change. Be brave, run for office.
4b Include – Look out for those on the fringes, isolated and alone. By including them and listening to them we make the fabric of our communities and nations stronger. We must reach out with a smile, a gesture, acts of kindness and understanding. There are so many places we can lend our hearts and minds to; Boys and Girls Club, literacy help groups, seniors in assisted living. Choose one. You can be the one, at the right time and the right place to transform someone’s life for the better.
Remember it is the fabric of our communities that we are strengthening as we move forward to set sail on calmer or rocky seas. We are more than one leader. We are more than any policy. We are freedom calling.
Here’s to all of us and may we give wing to the best in us for ourselves and generations to come.
How are you doing? Do you feel burdened by what’s happening in your life? Are you ready to make an impact on a bigger arena? Tell us about your journey and what’s working for you. If you need guidance and care, give me a shout.