Category: self awareness

Throwing Stones

Violent acts should never be an option. This is as true now as it was at the dawn of human existence. The trouble is that we humans never learn our lessons. Why is this? Not even Buddha, Moses or Jesus could rid us of this scourge. To be human is to suffer. God needs us to understand the relationship of ignorance and insecurity in order to reduce any and all societal brutality.

The dragons of Ignorance and Insecurity

Consumerism has contributed to our misunderstanding of this relationship. While it’s true that money and stuff cannot create happiness, it is also true that money and stuff build walls between us. Clearly defining our needs and wants can release our society from the suffering that leads us to violence. But should it be the individual or the collective that defines these needs and wants?

During Covid-19 we saw what happened to the supply chain. The unintended consequences of “shutting down” to reduce virus spread limited certain industries from doing business as usual. Needs for personal protective equipment, medicine and paper products were limited. Certain in-patient and out-patient services were postponed or cancelled. Many events and ceremonies were postponed or cancelled too. During this time we were all stuck in our homes consuming all sorts of things: food, alcohol, drugs, social media, news and online goods. Where was the happiness?

In the above example we can see that individual needs were determined by the collective…Everyone had to go along to get along. If you didn’t follow the rules that were set by politicians then you were considered an outcast. It didn’t matter if you needed to run your in-person business, visit a dying relative or have an outpatient health screening because these normal needs were now considered selfish wants set by a narrative of fear. A collective ignorance associated with denying these individual needs was allowed to develop. A person could be shamed and even shunned based upon many unreasonable factors. I believe that the Covid 19 experience also damaged our emotional maturity resulting in a collective insecurity.

Insecurity arises when ignorance is allowed to grow. Effective communication and information help to dissipate ignorance. When one party will not converse with another other party, the insecurity of that non-communicative party develops into activism which can lead to violent acts. This is true when the ignorance and insecurity is between two individuals, between an individual and a group or between groups.

But the worst violence that occurs is within an individual’s own heart and mind…When this happens, no person or community is spared from the consequences. It takes a deeply disciplined Godly approach to solve one’s own ignorance and insecurity. Emotional maturity depends on this discipline. The true sin is to never understand or comprehend one’s own shortcomings.

Activism that exhibits violence is an injustice to all. We need to look inward before wanting to cast that stone. This is true for all things happening in our liberty minded society today. Oppression is a collectivist scapegoat used to mask ignorance and insecurity. God does not want us to fall pray to it!

The Cloak of Love and Joy

Imagine, if you will, that you live in a city or town with individuals of diverse family situations, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and religious philosophies. Trying to imagine this in the United States of America isn’t very hard to do, especially if you live in an urban setting. The hustle and bustle of public transportation among densely populated neighborhoods and a variety of commercial buildings is second nature to those who live in these environments. Many times even the suburbs located not too far from these urban areas are bustling just as much. However, there is a great deal of difference when towns are located far from this hustle and bustle.

Small rural towns are more homogeneous, that is, the people in them share a sameness of culture born around a common industry such as agriculture, mining or manufacturing. There is still a diversity of incomes and thought, but race, ethnicity and religious beliefs are typically less different. Our rural identity is just as important to the fabric of our country as our urban identity. Both knit together a unique sense of pride which we call patriotism.

What we build together as communities of hardworking and intelligent citizens is more important than what we take individually. We cannot have one without the other however…My commitment to myself as an asset to my community ensures a lasting civilization. Self awareness is key to prosperity no matter who you are on the spectrum of cultural diversity because it can help you make better decisions, build healthier relationships, lead with authenticity, take better care of yourself, and live a more fulfilling life. Self awareness is your personal cloak of love and joy.

Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors

Think of this cloak as your own hero cape! You are a Superhero to all those around you when this cloak has been fully formed by other self aware people in your life. It is like the Biblical narrative of the coat of many colors that Joseph’s father gave to him. In this story Joseph’s brothers did not get one and so were jealous of him. The importance here is that the father only recognized Joseph as most worthy of this gift because Joseph had obtained true self awareness. Of all his future suffering, Joseph would still go on to achieve and share much prosperity while maintaining his humility with God, his family and all those around him…An inspiration for all.

Who will give you your hero cloak and are you deserving of it? Is your character up to the challenge? Can you knit your own with the help of God’s presence in your life? The answer is a resounding YES! No matter who you are or where you’re from it is possible. Our western civilization truly depends on our Superheroes.

As with most anything, there is a balance to achieve when being self aware. The jealousy of others will be present and your perception to this will help to direct your path in life…Trust in divine providence.