What do you see when sitting on a hilltop? That’s one of my favorite scenes during the deep relaxation practice of The Wholeness of Your Nature – The Little Yoga Nidra. Usually I’m relaxing in a summer meadow, looking out and across at another hilltop where horses in all sizes and colors — brown, black, white, and grey — lazily graze, nuzzle, and drink from a craggy stream burbling through acres of lush pastures. But, there is more to this pleasant landscape than seeing only one direction…
“There’s always another story. There’s more than meets the eye.”
― W.H. Auden
In fact, there are numerous other sides. If I shift my viewpoint, for instance, an overgrown forest of Eastern White Pines towers over me. Do I feel sheltered or intimidated? Where I choose to place my view is the perspective I will have. Is it down into the valley? Up toward the summit? Across, behind or sideways? Uniting all of these views completes the whole 360 degree picture. It’s life in its entirety.
That’s one reason why I do not support the totalitarian coercing of others to think, speak and act according to one myopic view. Accusing, humiliating, shouting down, destroying public property and other forms of intolerance (politically correct behavior?) are as biased as the ones condemned. Allowing only one view distorts reality. It is not inclusive wholeness as life complete.
Can you imagine if we no longer had daylight, but only night? Only winter, no summer reprieve? How about dry deserts and no oceans, or only dogs for pets — no cats, or vice versa? Sounds ridiculous I know. So does forcibly controlling the thoughts, opinions and actions of others. So does insisting someone apologize for the behaviors of their spouse or deceased ancestors.
“The key to successful relationships lies solely in our ability to take the perspective of another. Perspective taking is that all important skill of being able to look at things from a point of view other than our own. Perspective taking brings in the mindfulness of compassion and empathy to our relationships…When these two qualities are present in our interactions mutual respect, success and movement forward is guaranteed.”– –Sherrie Campbell, Psychologist, Entrepreneur, May 12, 2016
Group think dishonors the very essence of life itself. If the Thought Police wear badges under the guise of inclusion why do they exclude or condemn everyone else’s thoughts who don’t match their own? Once the dust settles and the noise quiets to hear reasonable, solution based dialogue, perhaps more people will begin thinking for themselves and asking uncomfortable questions such as these.
Looking back, I was raised in an era where manners, including kindness and respect, painted a mural of civility. Today, our landscape is in a shambles without it, and overbearing political correctness is not fostering goodwill. Only when humanity is willing to shift its focus from force to empathy and tolerance will the perspective be widened and truly inclusive of everyone — as one complete picture of humanity, all races, ages, genders, religions, nationalities, thoughts, opinions, actions… Ask yourself, “Can you do this — completely, for all individuals?” Only then do I see a monumental positive shift in the picture ahead.
Note: I do not condone discrimination, racism, supremacy, violence, hatred, destruction — or any of these aversions in reverse. To continue this abhorrent rhetoric and behavior only serves to cement humanity in muck. We can and must do better.
wRighTing My Life 
🙂
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I do and often 🙏💚💕💚
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Ah, the world needs more of you Sue. Please send your healing energy across the sea. ❤
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Yes so understand… The energies have been dense… And I too do not watch mainstream… But I do find the real news 🙂 here and there..
I just wrote a story of a woman 😉 me 🙂 who was feeling drained and lost, and it happens to the best of us… Which is what they want… So much better today though. 🙂
There are many like-minded souls WG… who are holding their corner of the world and as I was reminded… We are each an integral part of holding the Light… With our Awareness …
Much love back ❤
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I can see we are on the same page, Sue. Thank you for your willingness to read, consider and understand my sentiments. Admittedly, the current dark energy is affecting me more than I would like; it’s almost inescapable even though I don’t subscribe to mainstream media, social or otherwise. (I can only imagine how horrible those who do must feel.) And yes, you are correct, current events are causing more division and separation than unity. My sheer threads of comfort that I hope will keep me hanging on are: “It is always dark before the dawn,” “Sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better,” and “The gift is as great as the pain.” Right now, I thank God for people like you. ❤ Much love to you as well.
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So True.. It is all about perspective and so much of what we have been internally pre-programmed with has been from a certain perspective and narrative…
The age old wounds being jumped upon to cause division.. There is No Right or No Wrong Side… because once we take a side, we have already judged ourselves to be in one camp or the other..
This is what the agenda as I see it now unfolding is creating.. More division. more separation.. Which is to cause yet more conflict. So as to scupper the Unity Consciousness..
You concluding paragraph said it all ” ~ Only when humanity is willing to shift its focus from force to empathy and tolerance will the perspective be widened and truly inclusive of everyone — as one complete picture of humanity, all races, ages, genders, religions, nationalities, thoughts, opinions, actions… Ask yourself, “Can you do this — completely, for all individuals?” Only then do I see a monumental positive shift in the picture ahead.~”
So well said WG… ❤
Much love Sue ❤
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You know I always welcome your comments Cheryl. It is a very complicating, troubling time. I cannot begin to express the depth of my sorrow for the needless destruction in America right now, not just of public property but of our democracy. Witnessing the lawlessness and blatant neglect of officials to protect “all” citizens and their basic civil rights is alarming at best. I have never believed that two wrongs make a right, and suspect the hate mongering mobs generate more hate than compassion, goodwill and understanding. Unfortunately, with the timing of COVID-19, America is being pulled further apart. I also pray for peace, justice and equality for “everyone.” May you and your family continue to be safe.
Glad you like the new header. Admittedly, I’m still trying to learn the new Gutenberg…
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I agree with much of this, but I also believe being civil, kind, and respectful haven’t worked well for a large part of our population. It is often expected, yet not returned. It’s a complicated time, but I’m hopeful that authentic conversations can begin to happen now that we are stepping out of the shadow of the past. I pray for peace, justice, and equality for all.
Side note: I love your border (feature?) photo of the alliums or chives. Very cheerful and eye-catching.
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