Our conversation on violence

Back again...thank you for a beautiful weekend.
It was good to sit and walk with you...sorry we didn't get to plant...perhaps soon.

I believe the discussion of violence...
noticing the subtle onset...seeing the control...identifying it...naming it...breaking the cycle
was important.
The initial violation of another...or of self for that matter.
The disconnect that occurs when we lose our center because of another's force or influence upon us.
The disconnect that leads to our belief that violence is something we tolerate or worse yet...deserve.
How many of us heard that we were "rotten kids" or "bad" or that we were "a pain in the ass" and "to be seen and not heard"...those words change us...at the very core of our being...down to the genes that determine our body's health or disease. Last week I heard a woman making nasty comments to a toddler who was simply curious in the grocery check out line...I made sure that she knew that I was watching her actions...and she calmed down...why does it take the stare  of a stranger to make us realize that our behavior is not appropriate? Why couldn't this woman just understand that this was a normal toddler and curiosity is a sign of intelligence? She may be mimicking the behavior that she endured as a toddler...most of us are mindless when we react...doing what we know...not thinking about alternatives or consequences.

We, as humans, need to wake up to the violations that are occurring all around us...
We exploit and destroy the earth for profit...we allow fossil fuels to drive our commerce and government
We use animals for profit and pleasure without regard to their sentiment nature
We use humans as slave labor by continuing to purchase products that are known to be created on the backs of unpaid or underpaid workers...including young children...chocolate, coffee, shrimp, clothing, rubber, and the list goes on and on.
We purchase and consume products that are known to violate all aspects of life...and fail to think about the "ripples" of those choices.
We abuse our own bodies with alcohol and substances that we know harm us.
We separate mothers and babies even though we know that breastfeeding and strong bonds are important for good health and development.
We convince women that their bodies are their enemies...diets, plastic surgery, bariatric surgery, hair dye, make up, spans...all meant to cover up our natural "flaws" and make us more like that elusive "perfection" that we are supposed to achieve.
We sexualize young girls to make a buck or feed their parents' pride in these ridiculous pageants and TV shows.
We ostracize young women when that sexuality gets them "knocked up"...and shake our heads in disbelief that they could actually have sex before marriage....and then are dumbstruck when they struggle to raise their children alone...continuing the poverty/poor education cycle.
We allow our children to bully their classmates to feed their own injured self-esteem.
We say there is "zero tolerance" for violence...but look the other way when it is happening.

Sorry, I could go on and on.
It really is time to name it...expose it...all facets of the same entity and reconnect...that will be the solution to violence...reconnection.

I had a moment (or two) at yoga this morning, when I went to a different plane...
it was incredibly peaceful and I was very reluctant to come back to my body at the end of the meditation. I am grateful for that brief time.

I hope that you are having a wonderful day. It was wonderful to see you and your family (most of them). I am sad that I did not have the opportunity to meet your youngest grandson and his sister ...next time I will.

Love and Light,
Maggie