Day 174/366 days Towards Self-Mastery.
On leaving my family home at the age of about 18 years, I had the good fortune to meet my now life-long friend. She invited me into her home and welcomed me as family.
If I could describe just one thing about her and her family at that time, it was the quality of their conversation.
At each meal time we would chew over the problems of the world, debate politics, worry about those on welfare, poke holes in the system to see where it leaked, and much more. It was enlivening! Something I hadn't been exposed to, nor learned in my family home. They were and remain an active political family, and they opened my eyes to the issues of the world.
Being able to speak your truth, share your ideas, challenge others who would impact you...it's a vital aspect of self-mastery. And it's one I'm still learning.
If we care to look into the history of women, we find that they were silenced in much the same way that anyone who is discriminated against. The over-riding message of not being valued, not having value, less significant, servile. It's cultural, a phenomena shared by most cultures, and it's silencing.
Just today I was reflecting with a friend on the recent legislation allowing women to work after marriage, 1964. Anti-discrimination laws that lead to Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) legislation began to be passed from 1984 onwards. EEO policies introduced into Government departments in the mid-nineties. Less than 30 years ago.
EEO remains a work in progress...!
We know that to this day there is still major evidence of inequity when it comes to career opportunities and family responsibilities.
Where are you? Have you found your voice?
In fairness I am beginning to find my voice. Mainly because I'm of an age where I don't really care what people think nor whether they want to burn me at the stake.
That said, I'm enormously aware of the current climate baiting the groupthink phenomena that silences anyone with a different point of view to the party political. Be really aware of that.
Speaking up is becoming increasingly difficult for anyone who doesn't subscribe to the groupthink which is largely informed by media moguls who want to steer culture and societies it the direction that supports their agenda.
That phenomena where the groupthink decides what's appropriate for everyone, and crucifies anyone not conforming. It's disastrous for democracy, what little we have left of it. Consider the vaccination debates, flu shots and soon to imposed COVID shots. Think cashless society, senseless separation of families fuelled by hysteria around contagion. Protectionism gone mad.
It's the reason that I have finally made a decision to minimise any contact with social media. I simply cannot give energy to the hysteria present there on a daily basis, and I am eternally grateful for those who are prepared to debate and argue the point, start petitions, monitor legislation, bring facts to light, raise awareness.
People really are capable of making most important life decisions and of living with the consequences. It doesn't bode well for the future of our society to have the groupthink monitoring neighbours and friends and creating all manner of conflict. And don't get me started on the notion that, "it's my responsibility to protect my fellow travellers!"
My fellow travellers don't need my protection and they don't need yours. They are able to decide to mix in public or to stay at home. They've got this, and so have you. They are able to decide with family the risk of seeing elders or each other, and make the appropriate decisions for their family.
I have some understanding of the necessity of measures taken across the board with a pandemic, I do. However there's a much bigger picture playing out represented in the first instance by the proposed mass vaccinations with dubious substances.
Give it some thoughts. Be on the look out for groupthink. You'll mostly find it lurking where ever you find that you're afraid to voice a different point of view.
366 days Towards Self-Mastery
When I considered my New Year's intentions for 2020 I had just one: To allow my heart to love what it loved...and let it lead me. (If not now, then when?)
I've spent months working on integrating my life. To live life more fully with my home life, my interests, my work, my responsibilities, all coming together, all connected. I want to give each the attention that they desire and need, and still have time and energy for the others. That means living and working from the heart.
As I was clearing out my bookshelf over the Christmas break I discovered Simple Abundance. I set it aside to explore it on New Year's Day as I lazed through another delicious day of nothingness. Sarah, the author, says this book is about living in grace. Living in grace I realised, is about Self-Mastery.
My thirst for understanding the human condition has driven me all my life, and hand-in-hand with self-mastery it has been a life-long goal. And seeing as I love to write, that living in grace is about self-mastery, and I love a bit of a challenge, then if I am truly going to let my heart lead, I really don't have any other choice. So scary as it feels, I'm starting out on a daily mission of leaning into the suggestions of this daybook and making a daily post to keep me accountable. If not now, then when?
I'm Josie. You can find out a little more about me here.
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy: by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
This book is written for the Australian and NZ market because it refers to seasonal changes. It's available on Amazon here if you'd like to follow along.
Comments