First of all, thank GAWD I didn’t find a need to make poisonous noodle soup last week! That corn was still fermenting all the way until Friday when Philly was like, “Yo, hold my wooder ice, Jawn.” Lawdamighty, that was stressful.
I’m a little bit grumpy that those swing states got so much attention like their votes counted more than any of ours did. They wouldn’t even BE swing states without the rest of us. They are like the dramatic sibling getting all the attention, and the reliable sibling being glossed over.. Whatever. I GUESS I’m glad I never got arrested, but…uhhhh…ONE of my sibilings has way better stories than I do. Bad boys, bad boys. Whatcha gonna do?
As relieved as I am that we have a new president, I’m disturbed and saddened by some of the rhetoric. Before the 2020 election, I felt a lot of conflict from opinions expressed by some of my dear friends who clearly support such a yucky president. These are people I love and admire. How can our opinions be so divergent? I decided to practice Radical Gratitude and incorporate a breathing meditation called tong-len into my days. I’m also challenging myself to ask more questions and also listen to opinions that are different from mine in an attempt to understand how these opinions developed. My Compassionate Warrior Boot Camp lessons teach me that connection is essential and the first step in offering understanding to those with whom we don’t agree.
But now that the election is over, attitudes from the other side are disturbing me as well, labelling Republicans as selfish, misogynistic, uncaring, racists. Is there such a thing as being racist against Republicans? Because the black-and-white severity makes it feel that way.
This angry resistance, although completely understandable, is not helpful. In his book “Stillness Speaks,” Oprah’s buddy, Eckhart Tolle says, “Prejudice of any kind implies that you are identified with the thinking mind. It means you don't see the other human being anymore, but only your own concept of that human being. To reduce the aliveness of another human being to a concept is already another form of violence.”
Did you get that? Prejudice of ANY KIND. Eckhart didn’t mention any stipulations for varying opinions about whether children should be separated from their parents or whether Black Lives Matter or why finding a place to pee in public places should be so difficult for certain people. To regard those 71 million people who voted red in 2020 as anything less than human beings just like you and me is, according to Eckhart, a form of violence.
So what are we supposed to do if not resist and fight back? Do we just take in the distasteful opinions of our fellow Americans? That passivity feels like a betrayal to myself AND not helpful in advancing the truth. You don’t just resign and say, “OK, I resign myself to being stuck in the mud. I’m not taking any action because I’m accepting what is.” You also don’t want to fool yourself by saying, “There’s nothing wrong with being stuck in the mud.”
Eckhart presents the idea of surrender, fully recognizing the present moment without judgement. At first this may look like weakness, but this practice allows you to figure out what you really want to get out of the situation without the emotional negativity of anger, despair, or frustration. By accepting the situation, you can take positive action to get yourself out of the mud. The first step is not to complain about what is.
And then what? I dunno. I am still working on the accepting and not complaining part. That is very hard work!! But I’m hopeful that we can all come together and take positive action to get our nation back on track. We need to take better care of each other, my friends. And we can only do that from a position of love and compassion, without wasting our energy fighting and judging those who don’t agree with us.
I’m starting small with people in my orbit. I hope you’ll join me.
Thank you for reading!
That is the most intelligent thing I've read all year! Thank you for that perception, surrender, although spin class is way easier.
ReplyDeleteThat is saying something, my friend, when spin class is way easier than getting along with our fellow Americans, isn't it?? Miss you!!
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