There are many times I have been moved to write in response to particular events or situations and have been quite considered in my remarks. In light of the current instability we are facing, let me offer a few thoughts to help you think about and navigate our current choppy waters. As you read my thoughts, I hope you will pause and reflect on the ideas below and think about how they may apply in your life.
First, truth matters and words matter.
When truth is discarded by calling it lies and lies are embellished as truth, we lose a shared reality, trust is broken and the bonds of connection and community between us follow suit.
I believe words that threaten violence are actually acts of violence.
They have a similar emotional effect to the actual act, heightening one’s sense of vulnerability.
While an act of violence may do more literal bodily harm, the effect of threats of violence does untold psychic/emotional harm and it activates states similar to the effects of physical violence.
Second, I believe free speech and hate speech are not the same.
Free speech involves talking and debating ideas and beliefs or expressing feelings.Hate speech diminishes, attacks, and threatens the physical/emotional integrity of another or of a thing.
Hate speech has no place in a civil society.
My belief is the founders were protecting free speech, not hate speech that threatens, terrorizes or violates.
Third, what we witnessed was not an abuse of power; it instead involved force and coercion.
From the work of Dr. David Hawkins and his book Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior come the next ideas. He describes aspects of applied kinesiology and non-linear physics, and if you can move through those elements, you can reach the essence of the book – understanding the difference between power and force.
Despite the timelessness of these concepts, now is the time to thoughtfully consider and choose into the attitudes and behavior that embody genuine power. Essentially, by its nature, force is destructive and takes life away whereas power, by its nature, is creative, generative and life-giving. Power is effortless and goes unseen and unsuspected (e.g., love, gratitude, compassion, generosity). Force is experienced through the senses; power, by contrast, can only be recognized through inner awareness.
Even situations that are often described as an “abuse of power” would be incorrect given Dr. Hawkin’s descriptions. Instead, situations involving harsh, devaluing, blaming language; inciting fear; threats; rape, physical abuse; domestic violence or any other actual acts of violence would never fall under the notion of power – they would be considered coercive and force instead. Perhaps understanding this distinction can change your life.
Think more about specific distinctions between these concepts, and think about how you might apply these ideas to your attitudes, behavior, health, politics, relationships, religion or spirituality.
Fourth, once again we are reminded that change is the constant – and how important it is to be flexible and adaptive in the face of change.
Many writers speak about periods of chaos and disruption preceding movement to a higher order of being. We can choose to devolve to the baser elements of our nature or evolve to the higher aspects of our human nature. I hope you choose your higher self.
Fifth, you may be feeling “anxious”. Consider your anxiety instead an experience of heightened vulnerability.
Vulnerability is the sense you could be hurt or could get hurt. You can feel it physically and emotionally and be cognitively or mentally aware that this is what you are going through.
Ever since the pandemic started in February/March 2019, we have all been dealing with a time of profound loss and grief and heightened vulnerability. Being aware this is what you are going through and calling it by a more accurate name can be helpful.
Sixth, this is also a time when you may feel more helpless.
Often underneath the pain of loss and feeling helpless is grief – grief that involves feelings of: sadness, helplessness, anger and disappointment.
Two major ways you can push back against helplessness . . . One is to take action and the second is to stay well connected to a community of people who are important to you.
So at this time of transition, here are some things to consider:
- Remember, we are more alike than different; we all enter and leave the world the same way.
- Take responsibility for your words and actions.
- Commit to acts of service that promote the higher good for all humans.
- Figure out how you can constructively work toward the greater good of all.
- Don’t drift down to your lower nature; level up to your higher nature.
- Take responsibility for your words and actions.
- Commit to acts of service that promote the higher good for all humans.
- Figure out how you can constructively work toward the greater good of all.
- Don’t drift down to your lower nature; level up to your higher nature.
Wishing you the best,
Joan
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