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“Some people’s idea of free speech is that they is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone else says anything else back, that is an outrage.” -Winston Churchill It is difficult to find balance in a wired up stormy world. The 2016 election has succeeded in bringing out the worst in us, feeding the fires of an angry separation, vindictiveness. Verbal, mental, on social media or face to face – it is still war. A war that no one will win. It has been said that you are already wrong if you have to be right. Many people are being pulled along by an unnoticed very unhealthy current, all the while in love with the sound of their own voices, convinced their version of the truth is exemplary, even extraordinary! No lens should be that certain. How will you find balance (or be extraordinary!) if you never listen to the point of view of others? When the balance is true it will lead you to greater understanding. When we are out of balance it is easy to become so opinionated that we cross the line to imperialistic. Then no one is heard, and too many are marginalized. To join the “bandwagon mentality” against men who discount or mistreat women, while ignoring what women also do to entrap and hurt men, shutting out the Republican views because you are a Democrat, holding an assumptive belief that one race, gender, country or lifestyle is better – all of these things are subtle forms of entitlement. If we close our minds, judging what is different from “us” and “ours” then we are indulging in an invasive and pervasive attempt to polarize and divide humanity. Not a magical conjuring but a very negative manipulation just the same. Tempest by definition (according to Webster) is: To be tossed about or agitated violently. Thrown into confusion. Characterized by being pounded or repeatedly hit by storms of adversity. Troubled or in distress. In danger. Sound familiar? Everyone is needed. We must remain connected through the energy of an open minds and hearts. Observing, respecting, and allowing a spirit of good will to create space while “the other” is expressed. We need not participate or agree this expression, only allow it space for a moment. Assumptive beliefs are very tricky. Examine and question yourself honestly from time to time. You will be surprised at what you find in the hidden recesses of your head! When a portion of this blog was posted online, someone said that while my sentiments (about self reflection, etc.) were agreeable, what women do to entrap men is nothing compared to the rape mentality of men. I sense this person was expressing pain and anger because someone she loved was raped and assaulted recently. Completely understandable. Perhaps it was assumed that the writer of this blog could not understand rape mentality. Easy for me to suggest open minded fairness and all that good stuff, right? She could not know this author has experienced rape and assault. And of course, I am speaking about society’s general discounting of others, not violent criminal acts. So there’s that aspect. Assumption, miscommunication and misunderstanding: none of this is advantageous during a storm. Our co workers or neighbors are not the enemy. The influence of division and strife is. There is a story suggesting not to fight the enemy on his own territory when in battle. Instead of meeting the enemy in his comfort zone, change the location of the battle. On your chosen territory which would be the spiritual realms, the enemy has no strength, no stamina, and no balance. The enemy becomes helpless. Everyone is needed at this time. We must remain connected through open minds, open hearts, self disciplined and clear in strategy. During a wild and stormy tempest we may not realize we are receiving an invitation and a quiet message to deeply examine our inner selves, our own shortcomings, at the same time choosing to remain apart from the emotional dramas and one sided discourse. Accept the uncertainty which surrounds you. Allow things to remain undefined for a minute. You do not know everything. A stormy infinite sea ebbs and flows without ceasing. Learn to ride the wave.
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2016, tempest, balance, closed mind, open mind, spirituality, understanding, Tallkat,
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