Tag: clarity

Becoming Human

In honor of International Women’s Day celebrated yearly on March 8th, and although it should be celebrated every day until inequity ceases, I want to harken back to Eleanor Roosevelt and her defiant resistance to wars of aggression and inhumanity. I want us to realize the wisdom of the UN Declaration of Human Rights that powerfully called every world leader to acknowledge their responsibility to each and every human being on the face of the earth. I want us all to reckon with the way we were entrusted with the accountability of promoting, establishing and maintaining peace. The understandings so eloquently put forth in that document should not be lost or minimized as ruthless men attempt to divert humankind to its ugliest nature. 

We have two natures. It’s time we reclaim our nature of peace. Today there are women’s voices that against tremendous odds are upholding the best in us. 

Keep focused on Francesca Albanese, the first woman to head the UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories. She has repeatedly called out Israel’s ethnic cleansing and apartheid and has been sanctioned by the United States, but continues speaking truth to power.

Another important voice is Agnes Callamard, the Secretary General of Amnesty International who recently spoke about the assassination of Iraqi human rights defender and feminist Yanar Mohammed. There are brilliant and, I will say, holy women, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in order that humanity might rise. 

I have been fortunate to walk in the company of powerful women who refused to be sidelined. Their words continue to guide.

Wake up sisters, including my trans sisters and all gender challenging people. It’s ours to win and the time is now. Don’t be afraid. Reclaim our humanity. The ancestors and those yet to be born are counting on us to finally get it right.

It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. and it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it. Eleanor Roosevelt

Be uplifted with these AP photos Photos showing Women marking International Women’s Day

I will probably add to this post from time to time, but I must surely mention here the vision and wisdom of Grace Lee Boggs. Not to be missed.

The photo is in loving remembrance of Annie Kahn and all she shared of Dine (Navajo) culture and the power of being human.

Trajectory

I’ve been thinking a lot about trajectory. So, I took a moment to look up the word. “The path of a flying object moving under the action of given forces”. In Latin, it roughly translates to “throw across”. I found this over simplification rather boring and so I read on about the trajectory of life. It referred to the overall path one’s life is taking, with an emphasis on cumulative choices and experiences that can be intentionally guided or altered.

Now that’s more like it. Intentionally guided choices, not the throw of the dice take-what-comes theory of life. But the reminder that our relationship to life’s experiences, however harmful, however elated, can be altered by our choice. That I am not a victim to circumstance; I have the free will to perceive and the gift of conscious choice to steer my trajectory. And while I may not be able to alter the external, I most definitely can choose the path of my soul.  

How I think and what I choose to give my attention to is my hidden power. And once I arrive at my knowing about any given subject, it’s my duty to preserve my compass and maintain the chosen trajectory of my life. It is my duty and my responsibility to hold the course of the Good within me. And that need not have words, nor does it need to be seen. 

Today confusion challenges us. We’re easily motivated by consumptive greed and fall prey to power and the seemingly powerful. And in doing so we forgo the discernment that is gifted to us at birth. 

Be clear about your goal. And do everything you can to keep it in line with your highest possibility. It is available to you.

The good news is while it’s easy to get lost; it is as easy to right ourselves. Seek wisdom within. Choose your trajectory wisely.

As I looked for images of trajectories, arrows and such, I came across this little image and the author was “youth hostel” and they gave it freely “to the world”. Whoever you are, thank you. We share a similar trajectory. It captures my piece precisely. Even the smile.