THE MEAN STREETS
THE MEAN STREETS
~ Truth's Compassion is in Its Light
To use a popular phrase from contemporary times, navigating Life on The Mean Streets can challenge every self-image you hold to be true. Witnessing media narratives may cause an emotional, spiritual and even intellectual reaction, that is different, and quite pale, in comparison to navigating the same event when you are in the fray.
What is your Cosmology? Do you believe that you were born in a state of sin and must work for a lifetime to atone? Do you believe that you were born with a hole that demands filling? Do you believe that you are accompanied by two wolves, one "good" and one "bad" and will emulate their behaviors according to the one you "feed"?
However you began, whether on Mean Streets or Streets Paved With Privilege, you have a voice inside you. That voice speaks, despite your Cosmology, your socio-cultural tenets, and your life experience. Getting to that voice may require you to sort through and banish many false narratives: the devil on your shoulder; excuses, justifications, social normatives, and desires.
Herein lies the greatest challenge. Can you sort your inner, eternal voice from the noise that lies entangled atop it? Can you be moved by an event powerfully enough to return to your core, to take action, even if that action is small and local?
How do you feel when injustice and cruelty rears its head? Do you sorrow? Do you feel so overwhelmed you recede into apathy? Do you make lip service to the event, even to the point you will distance friends and family, even to the point that you know your life will dramatically change? Or do you put your self into warrior mode and set about making a difference? You must choose.
You cannot be in warrior mode for every crusade. You will not weigh the importance of most events against losing your current life or endangering your family and friends. What can you do?
Take Self-Action. Look around The Mean Streets and study their elements. What can you influence? The world is a morass, a melting pot, a proving ground. That same battle is being fought inside you, so begin there. Begin by listening. When you have found the wise, still voice, take action, in the measurable, sensible way that you can.
Especially when you are feeling overwhelmed by the Meanness of the World, do not withdraw. Advance. Use The Mean Streets to ferret out all of the places where you hide, and avoid. Reclaim what you have disavowed. Deeply Listen, and then Speak. Speak with a voice that is True and Courageous, even if this Speaking is done only to your Self.
Truth changes everything . . . and Compassion is Its Light.
Blessed Be This Day
This is a Direct Voice Communication from my Tribe, Spirit Elders who share their wisdoms with me from the other side of the veil.
Archives: May 29, 2020
Photo by Hasan Almasi on Unsplash
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.