Stigma and Propaganda VS Inclusion and Truth: Checking/Reflecting on Our Perspectives

 It is early Sunday morning, November 21, 2021 -- 

This is basically my journal from my purple chair --- 

We know that writing down our thoughts is an excellent practice... It helps with discernment, reflection, and for me, it calms and clears my heart.

I begin my purple chair time - Gathering
I gather my thoughts and incoming "data" :) 
Vaccinated/unvaccinated, republican/democrat/etc,  propaganda/truth, news/media/books, prayer/tears/confusion, freedom/slavery, love/hate, mandate/educate, fear/love.... 
Through my writing - I un-encumber my brain -- Truly - this is an exercise that never fails :)

So - I come up with the title of my time 

And I break it down --- Stigma and Propaganda...
As I reflect on my thoughts and feelings - I see alot of stigmatization going on around me... and perhaps in me?

and so I ponder - 

Inclusion and Truth... --- and i breathe. Truly I find myself taking a big, deep breath.

Reflecting - And I pause...I'm in the middle of one of life's struggles.  I am feeling tugged and pulled - and yet, when I settle in on "including and truth" - I breathe more easily - I can see more clearly -- and I "hear" LOVE.

And I "come upon" this video - Where this doctor (who I have found to ask really good question!)  anyway - I find this video comparing and contrasting "criminals." 

https://youtu.be/geYmRdwOwaU  

And I ponder --- and as I ponder,  pray, read, and meditate something happens.  I find myself relaxing and calming down.  And I realize - 

I am inspired, illumiated, "in"-couraged, 
Psalm 91 comes into my VU - such inspiration; such "righting" of my heart; such in-couragement...

I was feeling so "tossed about."  And i am sensing that many folks are feeling tossed about in these times of economic, political, pandemic.... 

And I see and interpret Psalm 91 from the Message version:

"You, Kathy, you are sitting down in the High God's presence,
You have spent the night in Shaddai's shadow,

So you can say this, "God, You are my very refuge.  Oh Yahweh, I can trust in You and I am safe!"

And I am reminded - That's right --- Shaddai tells me, "I rescue you from hidden traps, and I shield you from deadly hazards."

Dearest Kathy - says this Inner Divine Voice tells me - "Dearest Kathy,  My huge outstretched arms protect you - and under them you are perfectly safe; These arms - will fend off all harm."

So - 

"Fear nothing - not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day,

Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon..."

(And the Psalm continues to encourage my heart as I read and personalize it -- )

the closing verses - as I have personalized them...
"Hold on to Me Kathy for dear life - I'll get you out of the inner and even the outer trouble in peace.  

I'll give you the best care ... Just sit with me awhile and get to know Me even better.  

I am always accessible to anyone -- Just try it out - 

Call Me and you will see that I will answer - for I am always at your side..."

(Please not that I have personalized Psalm 91utilizing and inspired by the Message by Eugene Peterson)

And I proceed in peace --- 

With love to you, my fellow sojourners, from my Purple Chair Vu - 

 I feel so affirmed and good and free and intelligent... just because I wrote it down!

I just watched Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene speak boldly and honestly and from her heart to her fellow representatives about the loss of freedoms and rights we are currently experiencing in the USA.   I was compelled to comment below the video clip and this is what I wrote as it poured out of me:

"Well said!!!  Please folks - listen to this wisdom.  Try to take off your blinders, your bias.  Please please  please just consider, truly take a step back and consider, the damage some of our governors, the CDC, ("...a private, nonprofit organization classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity." by the way --- PRIVATE organization.  With people leading it who have not been elected by us or anyone for that matter)

the damage that our federal government and unelected officials are doing in the name of "protection!"  They have certainly not protected our rights - and they have certainly not protected the nation, that our children and grandchildren will inherit.  They have certainly not honored our ability to think and choose for ourselves.  And I have to confess that I sat there and followed the "rules" --- I wore/wear the mask for "others."  I stay 6 feet away.... 

But then I realized ---

There was no legislative process connected to forced closings, forced masks, nor forced vaccination (i realized we haven't gotten to forced injections yet - but it feels like it's closing in quickly).  

Someone said to me, "Aren't you afraid you will catch the virus and die or get very sick or get someone else very sick?"  

I said in my mind (because i am totally uncomfortable and frightened to speak aloud thoughts that could get me cancelled). 

I continue - I responded in my mind, "i am much more frightened at the speed that my/our rights are being stripped away.  Much, much, more frightened about that.  Frightened by the partnership of big corporations and our government.  Much more frightened that we are not allowed to speak a difference of opinion.  I was taught that discussion and debate and critical thinking and speaking were highly valued in the USA."  (In fact, I taught middle school and high teachers and administrators methodologies to teach their students to be critical thinkers.)  

That is what I wanted to say aloud... but i didn't.  

However, I said it here ---- maybe next time someone asks the same question I will have the courage and boldness to say it aloud - and say it again and again until someone listens.  I have a feeling that many of you believe this way too.  So i guess i am talking to the "choir."  But it sure does feel good and free and healing to speak aloud my justifiable and real fears.  

Thank you for reading and listening... let's not give up! 

So, that is what I wrote.  And this is my very own blog.  And I can say it here.  And you don't have to agree with me.  And perhaps we could have a discussion with facts and evidence and data and perhaps we could come to the agreement to not agree.  Perhaps. 

And we would be free and we would honor one another - and we would agree to stop the discussion when necessary and hopefully to open it up again for further consideration. And we would still be friends who respect each other and would never think to silence one another.  Perhaps.

By the way - writing is so good for the brain, heart, mind and health.  

And I have the experience and the evidence to support that statement!

I close from my Purple Chair  still pondering and meditating and praying;
With much love and respect for your being and your right to an opinion. 

💜💜💜

 

 Focusing on "Glad"...

I wrote a text to my husband, Paul today and feel compelled to share it with others.  It's at the end of this entry.

I think we can all agree that these are "crazy" times.  This past year has been interesting to say the very least.  And there are alot of "things" that can make a soul sad.  A deep soul sadness and anxiety, is what I hear from others, if I have on my true listening ears.  And if I am listening to my own heart, I hear sadness and anxiety there too.  These are real and true feelings and sensations.  And they make my soul sad.

However, (and I love that word "however" - it's got hopefulness in it!)

However - I can focus on "glad."  When I do, I sense more grounding, stability, peace and calm.  I have more to give to myself, others and God when I am focusing on "glad" rather than "sad."

It doesn't mean that I disregard these "sad" feelings and thoughts.  It just means that I observe the "sad," bring it to my awareness in a nonjudgemental way, and then try to lay it down.  

The best way I can lay the "sad" down is to pick up the "glad."

I believe that we are made to be thankful - It's an action and it can be practiced.  It is a Practice.  It's as vital to our well-being as is air, food, and water... and relationship.

So - I am going to practice "glad" today.  Want to join me?

With love and "glad" to my fellow sojourners, 

From my purple chair vu - 💜💜💜

"Hi Babe - love you soooo much too - Have a truly wonderful day -- its the only March 10, 2021 we will ever have 😊  I’m going to try to stay positive today -- i know a lot of the stuff happening in our country gets me a little sad... but i’m going to focus on the glad today 😊  And I am surely sooooooo glad for you my love.  Looking forward to being with you tonight -- dinner, conversation, maybe a walk and a relaxing TV and TEA time too 😊 Such precious gifts

!

Being Here — Richard Rohr's Daily Meditations