As another special holiday approaches, to observe the declaration of our independence, we gather once again with beloved family members, friends, co-workers, etc. uniting in expressing our gratitude through means not limited to parades, cookouts, and fireworks…. All in the name of something most precious… our rights…. Our cherished birthrights of independence of the land of the free and the home of the brave. The rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That all are created equal. That we as individuals have a civic duty to defend these rights for ourselves and others.
Yet, for many, as we say these very words, we feel a lump forming in our throats, a quivering in our voice, or with slight hesitation. I for one in the past years found myself experiencing this, causing me to go inward and look to the reasons why. But in truth, I did not have to search long and hard to find the answer.
As we awaken to who we innately are as spiritual beings incarnate in human forms, we realize we did not come here to conform… to act as sheep blindly following others in search of feeling safe and trusting we will be led to greener pastures. While it is true, we came here to help others along our path, we need to take pause and ask “How?” How can we help others when we do not take a post to help ourselves?
We have been deluged with articles of true stories of the suffering being done unto ourselves, unto others. Not one of the last that will be posted, came across our awareness with the headlines reading “Genocidal: Transgender people begin to flee states with our governments placing laws of anti-LGBTQ.” Texas and Florida are among many states or even countries creating a rising concern of doing more to no longer support or even go as far as banning gender-affirming care for transgenders. As a result, families are packing up and leaving their beloved homes that have implemented anti-LGBTQ legislations to find places which offer greater protection for their community, as they no longer feel safe. This, having been quoted by LGBTQ advocacy groups nationwide and abroad.
We have African Americans who are still being treated unfairly and unduly by others due to the color of their skin. We have Native American Indians whose women are still missing by the thousands and continues to grow in numbers with no leads to the cause or whereabouts of these women and violence toward our people are still being enforced, while even more of our land or landmarks are being taken away for the sake of progress. I found that if we were to talk to any member of race, cultural, or religious backgrounds, there are threats or feelings of being unsafe to freely express or live their inherent rights which are held so dear. Even we as citizens cannot express a belief without being chastised for it by members of our community.
Just as equally unsettling, there is a rising number of both men and women who are being discriminated against or being judged unjustly by either clichés that have pre-existed for decades that still have not been shed which are causing rifts among us, or by simply determining our definition from a degrading stance of what makes a man or a woman and respectfully he/she/they/ze/hir… all according to superficial standards and not what truly matters from the heart. How much money do they make? What position or title have they acquired in their career or place of business? What degree did they earn? Or how much hair length, body weight, body structure or type or even breast size/shoe size is deemed acceptable to be seen as sexy, successful, or simply worthy of love or to be able to live/exists among us. With this, I reflect by two more haunting articles I had read online about four years back while I was vacationing with family in Canada. The first article was of a supposed fashion consultant who dared to quote that with anyone who wore skinny jeans, or used certain smilies in text or in the media was now considered no longer fashionable or trendy and as such, any such people who were to use these would be mocked and ridiculed for not following the latest trend. It was not long after this unamused article I was made aware of another as I was deciding what hairstyle I felt called to fashion… feeling pulled to wear my hair shorter, when this article was explaining how many women were joining a movement of cutting their hair short or even buzzing their hair off as a means of standing for the principle that women are sexy no matter their hair length. That numerous women in the entertainment industry and even women of certain cultures or religious backgrounds were rising up and stating that it should no longer matter what their hair length is in order to be socially or religiously accepted, as in some cultures or religions a woman's hair must be kept long. Within this article, it was shared of a woman who had been fighting a battle against cancer. While she won victoriously over this disease, it came at the cost of her beautiful hair. Due to the chemicals of chemo and radiation treatments, her hair would no longer grow back as it normally would, only in short stubby patches. For a time, she felt the need to cover it up with bandanas, hats, etc. as to not face ridicule or bring about attention to herself. Yet, after a time, she realized all she underwent just to stay alive and be able to experience life like the rest of us. She felt no longer intimidated, ashamed, or afraid to shave her head and wear it proudly, no longer hiding her head from the rest of the world. While there were those, like here family and friends who supported this right to be and thought nothing of it, there were others who took it upon themselves to ridicule her, calling her names, making her to feel like a freak. Some saw her and accused her as being a neo-Nazi which led to one person spitting her in the face. I learned through other articles posted to my surprise that women who wore their hair short or shaved were considered a freak of nature, that these women were not “all there” or were part of a cult. With this, I took a post. I had grown so shocked and appalled that this is what we as a people had come to. That we are so quick to judge others by our fears, ignorance, or feelings of supremacy. Even I realized my short comings of the views of others due to my own concerns and fears. In this, I saw where I needed to heal and change. In honor of this, I buzzed my head and wore it proudly for over a year or so before I decided to change up to a pixie simply for a change and too… it was cold in the winters wearing my hair buzzed LOL. Now, would I wear my hair that short again? Yes, proudly!
I look to how we even turn amongst ourselves over petty jealousies, fears, or needs to feel safe or more so, making others feel inferior to make themselves feel worthy, powerful, successful, pretty, enough, etc.
With this, we see an overwhelming and alarming rates of depression, anxieties, and disease. Suicide rates are at an all time high. All of this because we feel isolated, afraid to share and be who we are born and meant to be. We have become so mistrusting of ourselves and that of others. The pressures by our governments alone to conform to their standards at the price of our rights and health is enough to overcome, but too now, we are turning against each other!?! And yet we are to gather in honor of our ancestors and of others today, who are willing to continue in taking that post to uphold such rights. To celebrate in gratitude for fighting and defending what should innately be our rights to be. Yet, how can we stand here and celebrate when many of us are afraid to stand alone to say enough is enough?
Why do we wait until others join forces to change back what is rightfully ours to have and to express? We see those who are not afraid to join forces to end to these terrors and are chastised for defending such rights or worse. Who are any of us to judge? If we have strong opinions and rights to uphold such beliefs, then who are others to try and take that from us? Who are we then to judge others or attempt to take down others whose opinions oppose our own? Isn’t this part of the constitution in being a land of the free? Freedom of speech, freedom of rights, freedom to celebrate our cultures we were raised with, freedom to be who we inherently are born with?
Then society becomes angry when others go to the extreme in fighting for their rights when voices and other actions go unheard or unanswered when riots break out, or people showing up in various places with guns. And we dare to call these people evil in their works. While violence is most certainly not the answer, and too… as in these cases, many innocent people are caught up in the midst. We have grown to the point of desperation…. Not evil… desperation. We need to learn the difference.
So, we need to ask ourselves. Are we truly free? What are we doing to make our forefathers and those who walked before us or those who take a post to defend our national rights today proud? For they fought or are continuing to fight to protect all our rights. They also fight to protect those who cannot fight/protect themselves. What are we doing as individuals to take a stand for ourselves in allowing our voices or actions to be heard or seen and no longer hidden to appease others, even when it includes our own family members, friends, lovers, co-workers, etc.? When are we going to proudly dress the way we desire to dress? When are we going to allow our sexuality not be a threat to others? When can we accept that all religious and non-religious beliefs have a place and right to be? When are we going to stop judging based upon our race, culture, sex, etc. and be accepted just as we are? When are we going to stop measuring others by work status, money and possessions accrued, appearances, or any other mold we feel is deemed to be worthy, enough, acceptable, loved, appreciated, valued?
The answer is quite simple. Start with yourselves. Start emanating the kind of person, innate self you are born to be a not let others talk you down, make you feel less than, or threaten your existence. What is the point in living if we feel it necessary to hide ourselves in fear or shame? In this we are not truly living anyways. In fact, we are performing an act of cruelty and self-abuse by denying who we are and our rights to be. The more we, as individuals, take such a stand in a calm, loving and rational manner, the more others will feel encouraged to do the same. How can we expect peace among our nation or among this world, if we do not honor ourselves and the rights of others to simply be? The more we join in support of one another… not saying we necessarily need to agree 100 percent with such rights or practices, but at least support our inherent rights to be in this so-called land of the free and home of the brave… will we then finally be able to define and truly uphold that title once again with pride for ourselves, pride for our country, and pride for all those willing to sacrifice their lives to protect them.
Namaste.
#independence #rights #support #4thofjuly2023 #declarationofindependence #Declarationchallenge
Yet, for many, as we say these very words, we feel a lump forming in our throats, a quivering in our voice, or with slight hesitation. I for one in the past years found myself experiencing this, causing me to go inward and look to the reasons why. But in truth, I did not have to search long and hard to find the answer.
As we awaken to who we innately are as spiritual beings incarnate in human forms, we realize we did not come here to conform… to act as sheep blindly following others in search of feeling safe and trusting we will be led to greener pastures. While it is true, we came here to help others along our path, we need to take pause and ask “How?” How can we help others when we do not take a post to help ourselves?
We have been deluged with articles of true stories of the suffering being done unto ourselves, unto others. Not one of the last that will be posted, came across our awareness with the headlines reading “Genocidal: Transgender people begin to flee states with our governments placing laws of anti-LGBTQ.” Texas and Florida are among many states or even countries creating a rising concern of doing more to no longer support or even go as far as banning gender-affirming care for transgenders. As a result, families are packing up and leaving their beloved homes that have implemented anti-LGBTQ legislations to find places which offer greater protection for their community, as they no longer feel safe. This, having been quoted by LGBTQ advocacy groups nationwide and abroad.
We have African Americans who are still being treated unfairly and unduly by others due to the color of their skin. We have Native American Indians whose women are still missing by the thousands and continues to grow in numbers with no leads to the cause or whereabouts of these women and violence toward our people are still being enforced, while even more of our land or landmarks are being taken away for the sake of progress. I found that if we were to talk to any member of race, cultural, or religious backgrounds, there are threats or feelings of being unsafe to freely express or live their inherent rights which are held so dear. Even we as citizens cannot express a belief without being chastised for it by members of our community.
Just as equally unsettling, there is a rising number of both men and women who are being discriminated against or being judged unjustly by either clichés that have pre-existed for decades that still have not been shed which are causing rifts among us, or by simply determining our definition from a degrading stance of what makes a man or a woman and respectfully he/she/they/ze/hir… all according to superficial standards and not what truly matters from the heart. How much money do they make? What position or title have they acquired in their career or place of business? What degree did they earn? Or how much hair length, body weight, body structure or type or even breast size/shoe size is deemed acceptable to be seen as sexy, successful, or simply worthy of love or to be able to live/exists among us. With this, I reflect by two more haunting articles I had read online about four years back while I was vacationing with family in Canada. The first article was of a supposed fashion consultant who dared to quote that with anyone who wore skinny jeans, or used certain smilies in text or in the media was now considered no longer fashionable or trendy and as such, any such people who were to use these would be mocked and ridiculed for not following the latest trend. It was not long after this unamused article I was made aware of another as I was deciding what hairstyle I felt called to fashion… feeling pulled to wear my hair shorter, when this article was explaining how many women were joining a movement of cutting their hair short or even buzzing their hair off as a means of standing for the principle that women are sexy no matter their hair length. That numerous women in the entertainment industry and even women of certain cultures or religious backgrounds were rising up and stating that it should no longer matter what their hair length is in order to be socially or religiously accepted, as in some cultures or religions a woman's hair must be kept long. Within this article, it was shared of a woman who had been fighting a battle against cancer. While she won victoriously over this disease, it came at the cost of her beautiful hair. Due to the chemicals of chemo and radiation treatments, her hair would no longer grow back as it normally would, only in short stubby patches. For a time, she felt the need to cover it up with bandanas, hats, etc. as to not face ridicule or bring about attention to herself. Yet, after a time, she realized all she underwent just to stay alive and be able to experience life like the rest of us. She felt no longer intimidated, ashamed, or afraid to shave her head and wear it proudly, no longer hiding her head from the rest of the world. While there were those, like here family and friends who supported this right to be and thought nothing of it, there were others who took it upon themselves to ridicule her, calling her names, making her to feel like a freak. Some saw her and accused her as being a neo-Nazi which led to one person spitting her in the face. I learned through other articles posted to my surprise that women who wore their hair short or shaved were considered a freak of nature, that these women were not “all there” or were part of a cult. With this, I took a post. I had grown so shocked and appalled that this is what we as a people had come to. That we are so quick to judge others by our fears, ignorance, or feelings of supremacy. Even I realized my short comings of the views of others due to my own concerns and fears. In this, I saw where I needed to heal and change. In honor of this, I buzzed my head and wore it proudly for over a year or so before I decided to change up to a pixie simply for a change and too… it was cold in the winters wearing my hair buzzed LOL. Now, would I wear my hair that short again? Yes, proudly!
I look to how we even turn amongst ourselves over petty jealousies, fears, or needs to feel safe or more so, making others feel inferior to make themselves feel worthy, powerful, successful, pretty, enough, etc.
With this, we see an overwhelming and alarming rates of depression, anxieties, and disease. Suicide rates are at an all time high. All of this because we feel isolated, afraid to share and be who we are born and meant to be. We have become so mistrusting of ourselves and that of others. The pressures by our governments alone to conform to their standards at the price of our rights and health is enough to overcome, but too now, we are turning against each other!?! And yet we are to gather in honor of our ancestors and of others today, who are willing to continue in taking that post to uphold such rights. To celebrate in gratitude for fighting and defending what should innately be our rights to be. Yet, how can we stand here and celebrate when many of us are afraid to stand alone to say enough is enough?
Why do we wait until others join forces to change back what is rightfully ours to have and to express? We see those who are not afraid to join forces to end to these terrors and are chastised for defending such rights or worse. Who are any of us to judge? If we have strong opinions and rights to uphold such beliefs, then who are others to try and take that from us? Who are we then to judge others or attempt to take down others whose opinions oppose our own? Isn’t this part of the constitution in being a land of the free? Freedom of speech, freedom of rights, freedom to celebrate our cultures we were raised with, freedom to be who we inherently are born with?
Then society becomes angry when others go to the extreme in fighting for their rights when voices and other actions go unheard or unanswered when riots break out, or people showing up in various places with guns. And we dare to call these people evil in their works. While violence is most certainly not the answer, and too… as in these cases, many innocent people are caught up in the midst. We have grown to the point of desperation…. Not evil… desperation. We need to learn the difference.
So, we need to ask ourselves. Are we truly free? What are we doing to make our forefathers and those who walked before us or those who take a post to defend our national rights today proud? For they fought or are continuing to fight to protect all our rights. They also fight to protect those who cannot fight/protect themselves. What are we doing as individuals to take a stand for ourselves in allowing our voices or actions to be heard or seen and no longer hidden to appease others, even when it includes our own family members, friends, lovers, co-workers, etc.? When are we going to proudly dress the way we desire to dress? When are we going to allow our sexuality not be a threat to others? When can we accept that all religious and non-religious beliefs have a place and right to be? When are we going to stop judging based upon our race, culture, sex, etc. and be accepted just as we are? When are we going to stop measuring others by work status, money and possessions accrued, appearances, or any other mold we feel is deemed to be worthy, enough, acceptable, loved, appreciated, valued?
The answer is quite simple. Start with yourselves. Start emanating the kind of person, innate self you are born to be a not let others talk you down, make you feel less than, or threaten your existence. What is the point in living if we feel it necessary to hide ourselves in fear or shame? In this we are not truly living anyways. In fact, we are performing an act of cruelty and self-abuse by denying who we are and our rights to be. The more we, as individuals, take such a stand in a calm, loving and rational manner, the more others will feel encouraged to do the same. How can we expect peace among our nation or among this world, if we do not honor ourselves and the rights of others to simply be? The more we join in support of one another… not saying we necessarily need to agree 100 percent with such rights or practices, but at least support our inherent rights to be in this so-called land of the free and home of the brave… will we then finally be able to define and truly uphold that title once again with pride for ourselves, pride for our country, and pride for all those willing to sacrifice their lives to protect them.
Namaste.
#independence #rights #support #4thofjuly2023 #declarationofindependence #Declarationchallenge