Too often we awake to finding out, hearing, reading or seeing life playing out in ways that are painful, challenging and make our hearts spin. We are human, after all.
And what is this ‘human’ excuse we hear so much about? We say it as if it holds automatic forgiveness or an excuse for ‘bad’ behavior. Some days I am simply appalled at ‘bad behavior’; and you? Yes, I am sure, you too. How can you not be? Unless you live at the top of a mountain in a cave, alone, with out world access. It is rampant in our politics, in our authority figures, in life. Why? Why do so many have such poor boundaries, live in so much fear, express through fiery anger? Why is it, that so many react, rather than express calmly? Why do we do what we do to one another? Why do mothers yell at children in grocery stores to the embarrassment of by passers and the deep lifelong humiliation of a child soul? Why do people engage in killing, in war or street crime? Why, in our ‘humanness’, do we see ourselves as less than? Less than our Divine selves? Less than being able. Less than knowing better? The entire thing makes one sick. Literally. People making horrible, horrible choices, being blatantly unfair, caring more about their own self ego than the betterment of humanity.
Why do we say we are ‘human after all’ – as if we are NOT Divine, not capable of more, better. As if we somehow, because we are human, we are outside of the perimeters of God? Well, we are not. We are not living in a duality – and that is exactly why intolerable and bad behavior bothers us so much. And, because we have forgotten, or we fail to remember love, we feel and live as separation from our Divinity.
And for all the ones who are hurting, and expressing what they feel in ways that can be found intolerable – there are others who are expressing lovingly, kindly and with tolerance. There are strangers helping strangers, people working food banks, people educating, teaching, healing and guiding others to remember their innate Divinity. The helpers exist. WE can choose to be a helper.
We have to keep talking. We have to teach and expose our children to the importance of sharing without fear, listening without judgement, respecting different. We have to come to a realization that there IS Yin and Yang in this reality. We are not a utopia. We live in a world of contrast in order to choose higher. BUT, if we do not learn this; that we have choice, we will react from fear for we will feel there is no basis to stand upon.
A young mother I personally know, love & adore asked the other day on FB, how to talk with her preteen daughters about racism. This question stirred me, it moved me, it bothered me. It bothered me deeply, that that subject was a conversation one HAD to have with young people. She expressed that she felt it was required, that one should not avoid the subject. I have given this much thought. The truth is, young blacks in this country of America have had to live in that conversation their entire lives. All because of someone else’s fear, they had to be brought up in fear, in being caution, in being on high alert.
Racism comes from fear, which is the absence of love. It is based in ignorance of understanding the scope of the meaning of humanity. Racism is the absence of integrity and an expression of ego. Racism of ANY kind is NOT, NEVER, EVER acceptable – if it is making fun of a person, avoiding them when walking because of their skin color, gender or age, or feeling in authority over another human, or being abusive…the list goes on and on, doesn’t it? Racism is an empty vast dark hole; which everyone but the privileged white, of which I am one, have had to live with.
So, what do we say to our children, children of any color ? What do we say to our children of any gender, any size, any background, any ethnicity?
Can we talk with our children about this melting pot known as America? A place where many from other countries were once welcomed, and we pray, one day agian will be. Can we talk with them about feeling good about who THEY are being, no matter what any one else thinks? Can we tell them that humanity is made up of a glorious symphony of colors, shapes, sizes, languages, cultures and expression? Can we tell them that every single persons is different, like snowflakes – and that different does not mean wrong, bad, right, good, less than or better than. Can we tell them that there are people in this world who think that just because they have white skin, they are automatically better than others; this, my darling, is wrong. This is fear talking. Can we tell them that the world is made up of many ways to express, and we must care about how WE are doing, for that matters. We must learn to recognize loving, kindness and understanding. Can we tell them that this thing that makes people act out in fear upon others is an expression of who THEY are, not who you are. Even when someone makes fun of another person, when bullying happens, this is an expression of that persons sadness. Their heart hurts and no one has listened before to them. Can we tell them that we live in a world of not only diversity of people, but also of feelings, thinking, beliefs, thoughts – and it is very important for us as individuals; for you, to grow up discovering what you believe in and how you want to express in order to help the world, to help those who are suffering. And, as your parent, I am here to help you to this, and to example for you, what living from love looks like.
Can we tell them anything like that? Can we tell them no matter the color of ones skin or ethnicity; there will be nice people and not nice people. It is ones actions that speak of their integrity, not their skin color. Can we tell them to find security in their own choices, and to know that this is a huge, big ole’ world, and there is much good here, much joy here, much love here for you. Look for that.
Thank you for reading.
with great love, Deborah
