“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” ~ A. Camus
I was recently with a group of badass women from my church the other night, and shared with them some pent-up emotions. I’ve been having a difficult time articulating what I feel, but it goes something like this: I can no longer tolerate being around people, or in spaces, that do not adhere to a code of honesty, truth, or an evolved state of being. That means, if you continue to operate from an outdated mindset, I can’t connect with you. If you tell people how to live their own lives, but fail to embody your own teachings and wisdom, I can’t respect you. If the spaces we frequent together no longer reflect my own moral code and evolutionary growth, I can’t go there with you. And while I do compassion like a boss, I won't make excuses for you.
I was recently with a group of badass women from my church the other night, and shared with them some pent-up emotions. I’ve been having a difficult time articulating what I feel, but it goes something like this: I can no longer tolerate being around people, or in spaces, that do not adhere to a code of honesty, truth, or an evolved state of being. That means, if you continue to operate from an outdated mindset, I can’t connect with you. If you tell people how to live their own lives, but fail to embody your own teachings and wisdom, I can’t respect you. If the spaces we frequent together no longer reflect my own moral code and evolutionary growth, I can’t go there with you. And while I do compassion like a boss, I won't make excuses for you.
The people who are the most important staples in my life are there, not only because of compatibility and common interests, but because they keep it real. They are constantly doing Soul work. They would never let me get away with the ways in which I sabotage, underestimate, or undervalue myself as an individual, and they insist that I return the favor. I am SURROUNDED by people who challenge me to go a little deeper, to be better than I was with each passing day. It’s not easy having mirrors all around. But at least I can see clearly – my bonds are forged in trust. If we are unable to bravely be all of who we are, even in the comfort of friends, then how are we to move past who we were yesterday?
And, how are we going to show up and fight for social justice?
As an activist, my biggest concern with movement work is that we are going too wide, and not deep enough. Take the D.C. area, for example – there is a rally, protest, workshop, or training for social justice here pretty much every day, which is great. But because of an endemic fear of missing out (FOMO), a fear of 45 and his hate inspiring rhetoric, and a fear of not being kept informed, the pressure to attend as many events as possible lends itself to anxiety that is palpable. Don't misunderstand my point - we need this kind of constant activism to stand up against injustice around the world. However, organizing will only take us so far; if we want lasting change, we need to do just as much (if not more) of the inner work.
The reason why words like “pain,” “wounds,” and “healing” show up often in my blogs is because there is SO much of it in the world, and hurt people hurt people. Inner work means examining the ways we fail to love ourselves; how our blind spots lead to unconscious behaviors and patterns; how the lies we tell about who we are perpetuate more lies; how our false narratives influence terror and shame; how the scars of our past influence us today and are brought into the future; how, when we do a disservice to the essence of who we are, we do it to others.
Until we bravely address our pain, our wounds, and heal, we will always feel isolated. Until we gain the confidence and the courage to dismantle the status quo of our lives and this nation, we will always be ruled by white supremacy. Until we can get real with ourselves and each other, hurt people will always hurt people. The tension that I feel right now is in tune with the tensions of our world, and only a grand release will bring a great rebirth. Both collectively and individually, we have much work to do, both as activists and evolved beings.
Check your horoscopes to see what’s in store this week ahead, and don’t forget to read for your Ascendant sign, too.
And, how are we going to show up and fight for social justice?
As an activist, my biggest concern with movement work is that we are going too wide, and not deep enough. Take the D.C. area, for example – there is a rally, protest, workshop, or training for social justice here pretty much every day, which is great. But because of an endemic fear of missing out (FOMO), a fear of 45 and his hate inspiring rhetoric, and a fear of not being kept informed, the pressure to attend as many events as possible lends itself to anxiety that is palpable. Don't misunderstand my point - we need this kind of constant activism to stand up against injustice around the world. However, organizing will only take us so far; if we want lasting change, we need to do just as much (if not more) of the inner work.
The reason why words like “pain,” “wounds,” and “healing” show up often in my blogs is because there is SO much of it in the world, and hurt people hurt people. Inner work means examining the ways we fail to love ourselves; how our blind spots lead to unconscious behaviors and patterns; how the lies we tell about who we are perpetuate more lies; how our false narratives influence terror and shame; how the scars of our past influence us today and are brought into the future; how, when we do a disservice to the essence of who we are, we do it to others.
Until we bravely address our pain, our wounds, and heal, we will always feel isolated. Until we gain the confidence and the courage to dismantle the status quo of our lives and this nation, we will always be ruled by white supremacy. Until we can get real with ourselves and each other, hurt people will always hurt people. The tension that I feel right now is in tune with the tensions of our world, and only a grand release will bring a great rebirth. Both collectively and individually, we have much work to do, both as activists and evolved beings.
Check your horoscopes to see what’s in store this week ahead, and don’t forget to read for your Ascendant sign, too.
