Enough is Enough!

So, before I get into this, let me preface this posting by saying I have nothing against the Military or the men and women who serve.  I support these men and women and thank them for their service and sacrifice.

Recently, this picture appeared in my Facebook News Feed.  It upset me for two reasons and I will share why.  The first reason is the stereotyping in the statement.  The stereotyping is evident by the words worthless liberals living on welfare.  This is a general blanket statement that assumes all people who receive some type of benefits are liberals.  It also implies the extreme belief of some individuals that people who receive benefits are milking the system, are lazy not wanting to work, and are only looking for a handout.  While there are those who receive benefits that do abuse the system, the majority of people receiving these benefits are low-income families or those who lost their jobs and have been having difficulty finding another job.  I know; I am one of them. 

Some reading this would say that I am upset because I am receiving benefits and identify with the statement.  No, I am upset, because once again, stereotyping is occurring.  To refresh memories, stereotyping is where people assume that all people of a group are doing something that only a few are doing.  

Stereotyping is not just limited to this instance.  It spans race, ethnicity, religion, and politics.  Listen to any conversation and you will hear it.  Instead of saying some conservatives are attacking women, it is stereotyped as all conservatives are attacking women.  Instead of saying some Muslim extremists are terrorist, it is stereotyped that anyone who follows the Islamic faith are terrorists.  The truth is, these stereotypical statements are false and misleading.  They are hurtful.  They are wrong!

That picture upset me because of the stereotyping.  It is long past due that we, as a society, move past the need to stereotype.  We need to open our eyes and be aware of the statements and judgments we make.  We need to stop saying all of a group are doing what just a few are doing. 

The second thing that really upset me about the picture was the use of the word worthless.  No person is worthless.  Let me say that again, NO PERSON IS WORTHLESS!  There are those individuals who make really bad choices.  Some of those choices could be considered downright evil.  But, that still does not make that person worthless and I will tell you why. 

Each living being contains a part of the Divine.  No matter the choices made by that living being, that part of the Divine still remains a part of that living being’s soul.  If we contain a part of the Divine, how can we be worthless?  If a person is deemed worthless, isn’t that the same as saying the Divine is worthless?

I have been through situations in my life where I have been made to feel worthless.  I would not wish that pain on anyone!  It is time we, as a society, stop the stereotyping and name calling.  It does not matter if we are conservative or liberal, receiving assistance or not, Christian, Muslim, or Pagan, Black, Brown, Yellow, Red, or White, or any other label society wants to come up with.  We are all human beings carrying a part of the Divine within our very souls.  We are not worthless.  We are spiritual creatures living a human experience.  Shouldn’t we be helping each other out of love and compassion instead of spreading hurt and hate?  For me, Enough is Enough!

Blessings,

Raven

©03112013

Time

Time is relative.  For one person, the day; week; month; year just flew by and, to another, it went so slow they did not think it would ever end.  We have all experienced it.  But, once again, time is relative.

The past is in the past.  We cannot change it.  We can and should only look back to remind ourselves of the lessons learned and to see how far we have come.  We must release any pain and hurt from the past and only move forward with the lessons learned.  We cannot and should not hang on to regret and disappointment.  They will only hinder us as we walk our path.

The future has yet to occur.  We can plan, hope, and dream.  But, the future will always be unsure.  It will result from choices we have made in the past and in the present.  Our choices will always alter and shape the future.

All we can truly count on is the moment in which we are living.  It is the only aspect of time we can truly grasp.  We must make every effort to remain conscious in each moment we find ourselves in.  We must be grateful for the blessings, big and small, and the lessons we are given.  We must try to reach out to others in love and gratitude.  We must let go of the petty indifferences we encounter and embrace a life lived with compassion.  We must make the most of every moment we are given.

No matter how we view the passing of time; fast or slow, it actually moves at the same pace it always moves.  It is only our perception that gives it the ability to fly by or crawl along.  Instead of worrying about the pace of time, let us make the choice to appreciate life in all of its beauty.  Let us appreciate the good and bad because they shape us into the people we are meant to be.  Let us look for all of the blessings; big and small.  Let us not hold onto grudges that impede our journey.  Let us be the change we wish to see in the world.

As we gather around the world tonight to celebrate the ending of 2012 and the beginning of 2013, let us remember that we are all part of the human family.  Each person is our brother and/or sister.  We are family to the animals, birds, plants, and all other living beings.  What we do to ourselves we do to one another and vice versa. 

Chief Seattle said it best, “All things share the same breath – the beast, the tree, the man…the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports.

Humankind has not woven the web of life.  We are but one thread within it.  Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.  All things are bound together.  All things connect.

Man does not weave this web of live.  He is merely a strand of it.  Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”  ~~Chief Seattle

We are blessed to be living in a time of a great awakening on this planet.  Let us make a conscious effort to open ourselves to the vibrations of this awakening.  Let us reach out to one another in love.  Let us set aside our petty differences and see that even though we are all unique individuals, we also have many things in common that bind us together.  Let us be a planet of love and compassion instead of separateness and hate.

May 2013 bring each and every one of us much love and many blessings,

Raven

©Raven Williams 12312012

Lessons I've Learned in 2012

Part of our personal growth is learning the lessons found in the circumstances we find ourselves in.  This past year has presented me with several lessons that have helped me grow in my spirituality.  I share some of them here in the hopes that they might help others who face similar situations. 

One of the first lessons I learned this past year was that sometimes what we want and subsequently receive, we really didn’t need in the first place.  When I first started consciously walking my path, I would read and listen to others and then take what I had read and/or heard within to seek what was true for my path.  I grew considerably during that time and learned much.  Somewhere along the way, I let myself believe that I needed a “teacher” to help me learn and grow.  I became fixated on things without myself and lost sight of what I had already learned and how much I was growing.  I continually asked Spirit to bring me a teacher. 

Finally, Spirit did.  Over the course of the year and a half I was with this teacher, everything I had already learned and was confirmed during the times I went within was confirmed.  Earlier this year, I realized this fact and during a time of meditation asked Spirit why I was brought to a teacher.  I was told, “Because I asked.”  What I learned was, all we ever really need is within us.  We are told by society that if we want to learn and grow, we must have a teacher.  

The truth is, all we need is within us and to access it, we must learn to quiet ourselves, go within and seek it.  We must trust what we find there for it is meant for us and our Inner Spirit will never lead us astray.  Needless to say, I stopped seeking without, put my need for a teacher behind me, and went back to what worked; going within.

Another thing I have been struggling with this past year was how walled off my heart is.  Throughout the years, I have been hurt by those who claimed to love me.  I gave and gave until I had nothing left to give without receiving anything in return.  To escape the pain, I walled off my heart.  This past year, I have been working on breaking down the walls that were built.  It has been hard work and there is still much more work to be done before they are fully gone. 

The lesson I have learned through this work is that to re-open the heart, we must love and be grateful for what we have.  I have consciously made an effort to extend love to others without expectations.  That’s the hardest part, though.  Relinquishing any expectations I may have when I give love to others.  It is still one lesson I will have to work on in the coming days, months, and years.  

The second part of this lesson is gratitude.  No matter how big or small the blessings in our lives, gratitude expressed helps to open and keep open the heart.  Over the past several weeks, I have consciously been expressing my gratitude in these situations.  As a result, I have noticed my spirit lightening and look forward to experiencing more of this feeling.

Another lesson I would like to share is one about self-pity.  Things have been really tough in my household.  My unemployment ran out, work in my area is scarce for someone with my qualifications, and finances have been extremely tight.  I, as have others I know, have felt very saddened and disappointed because we have felt abandoned by those we care about.  As a result, I fell into a period of self-pity. 

The problem with self-pity is that it blinds us to all else around us.  We are so focused on feeling sorry for ourselves and the situations we find ourselves in, we forget that our best hope lies within us.  We also fail to see the situations that those around us are going through.  We fail to see that they do care about us, but because of their own situations, may not be able to help us.  We are so caught up feeling sorry for ourselves, we fail to see the bigger picture.

I’ve learned that all I can do is what I can do and trust that everything will work out as it is meant to.  I’ve learned that only focusing on what is wrong without focusing on finding solutions doesn’t solve anything.  I’ve learned that I am my own best friend and as long as I try, I haven’t truly failed.  I only fail when I stop trying.  But most importantly, I have learned that self-pity destroys self-esteem and it is self-esteem that will help me to improve my life.

Finally, I think the most important lesson I have finally learned and this one wasn’t just confined to 2012, but has taken several years to sink in, is that I do have a purpose in this lifetime and I must fulfill it.  Many times over the last couple of years, I was given messages.  The words flowed into my mind; sometimes I shared them; sometimes I didn’t.  If I were being totally honest, there were more times I didn’t share than I did.  I didn’t share because I was afraid of offending someone or hurting someone’s feelings.  I was afraid that people wouldn’t like me because of what I had to share.

What I have learned is my purpose is to share the words I am given.  These words are meant for someone.  I have also learned that people’s reaction to the words are their issues to deal with.  If someone is offended, I have not offended them; my words have touched something in them and offense is their reactions.  They have a lesson to learn within the words I have shared.  The only time I would truly offend someone and should apologize is when I intentionally said something to hurt someone.  The words I am given to share are shared with no intention to hurt, only help.

I can no longer hide and not share what I am given to share.  I must step out and share the messages.  How people react is up to them.  I must be who I am meant to be; a messenger.  I can no longer hide in the shadows and wait for someone to say what I am meant to say.  I will trust that who is meant to hear or read the words will and the words will give to them what is needed for that person’s growth.

The year 2012 has brought me many lessons.  Some have been easy to learn and some hard.  But, no matter how painful each lesson was, they have all brought me what I have needed to continue walking my spiritual path and to grow into the person I am meant to be.  As this year ends and 2013 begins, I hope you take the time to reflect on the closing year and see the lessons that were part of your life.  May your lessons have helped you to grow into who you are meant to be.

Blessings to you all for the coming year,

Raven

©Raven Williams 12282012

Environmentalism

"We must protect the forests for our children,  grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can't speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees." - Qwatsinas, Nuxalk Nation

For so long, society has been trying to control and dominate the environment. We destroy trees and green areas for more buildings. We pump tons of greenhouse gases into the air with our factories and cars and we fill the land with trash. We are slowly destroying Mother Earth and in so doing, we are destroying our future generations and ourselves. We form a symbiont circle with our Earth Mother and all of the other living creatures. Mother Earth has always provided for us. She gives us food, water, and air. Now is the time for us to stop trying to control and dominate our environment, and start living in harmony with it.

The first step is to reduce our impact on our environment. This can be as simple and inexpensive as changing all of our light bulbs to compact fluorescent ones. Using less electricity and gasoline reduces the amount of greenhouse gases coming from our homes. We can use less electricity by turning off lights and unplugging appliances that are not in use. By combining all of our errands, we can reduce the amount of gasoline used and limit the amount of driving we do. We can also use public transportation where available and whenever possible. As our older appliances need to be replaced, we can purchase “energy star” appliances that will cut down on our energy consumption and costs.

The second step is to reuse. When we empty out glass containers, instead of throwing them away, wash them out and reuse them. This same thing applies with plastic containers that milk, shampoo, margarine and other food goods come in. Why throw them away when they can be reused to store leftovers in? By reusing the plastic and glass items already in circulation, we cut down on production of these items, which in reduces greenhouse gases and the use of petroleum in the making of these products. Clothing can be donated to local shelters and charities. Not only will the clothes be reused, by we are also helping our fellow human beings.

This brings us to step number three; recycle. Many cities are offering recycling programs. Paper, cardboard, plastic, oil, and electronic equipment are among the many items being recycled. Instead of throwing these items into the trash and filling up landfills, recycle them into other products that can be used. More and more companies are offering products made from recycled products. Seventh Generation is one such company that sells paper products made from recycled paper. Surprisingly, these products are just as affordable as their un-recycled counterparts. By using products made from recycled items, we are reducing our use of natural resources.

A fourth way we can protect our Earth Mother is to cut down on the amount and types of pesticides and cleaning supplies we use. There are many brands of environmentally friendly products on the market. Seventh Generation and BioKleen were the first to start producing all natural products for cleaning. Clorox has since followed suit and has a line of products called “Green Works.” These “Green Works” products are comparable in price to the original line of Clorox products. By using these natural products, we are keeping harmful chemicals out of the environment and providing a safe and healthy place for all living beings.

We can no longer sit back and wait for our elected officials or someone else to take care of the problems. We must each make a conscious decision to take care of our Earth Mother. In closing, I leave you with these words: "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." - Iroquois Confederacy Maxim

©Raven Williams 06292010

Struggles of Humanity

The X-Men Trilogy consists of X-Men, X-Men 2 – X-Men United, andX-Men – The Last Stand. The central theme throughout all three movies is the Mutants’ struggle to be accepted by non-mutant society and unavoidable war.

In X-Men, movie-goers are introduced to Professor Charles Xavier, who has spent his entire life helping young mutants and working toward acceptance for mutants amid society. His long-time friend and colleague, known by the mutant name Magneto, takes the point of view of kill the humans before they can kill the mutants. Magneto makes a move against the non-mutant society in an effort to start a war and Professor Xavier and his X-Men must stop Magneto. The struggle continues into X-Men 2, but this time, the person pushing mutants and non-mutants toward the inevitable war is a human named General Striker. Because of General Striker’s attempts to kill all mutants, Professor Xavier, the X-Men, Magneto, and his people join forces to stop General Striker from killing all mutants. In the end, Magneto turns the situation around in which humans are once again targeted and the X-Men must stop this before war breaks out. The struggle reaches its climax in X-Men – The Last Stand. Scientists and the government have developed a cure for the mutant gene. The government turns it into a weapon and Magneto uses the cure to form an army and march against the humans. Professor Xavier is killed and the X-Men are faced with a decision. Do they take a stand or give up? Magneto leads his mutant army against the humans and the X-Men stand with the humans to protect them. Ultimately, Magneto and his army are defeated, the war is over, and mutants and humans live in peace.

The struggle played out in the plot of these three movies is a struggle that always has been present in one form or another since the beginning of existence. History gives many examples. From the American Revolutionary War, to the struggles between the White Man and the Indians, the Civil War, to race, religious and sexual orientation issues facing our society today. In addition, in each case, there has been a person or persons who have fought to change societal situations for the better.

During the American Revolutionary War, settlers to the New World wanted to live in peace and no longer be taxed by England. The British arrived trying to force the settlers to pay taxes and the settlers took a stand. War was fought and leaders such as George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson helped to establish a new country free from England. As the settlers pushed further westward, they encountered the Indians who always had lived on this land. War again broke out and the Indians lost the struggle to retain their lands, were forced on to reservations where many continue to live today, still struggling against a government that has broken its promises to the Indian Nations. Many great Indian Chiefs rose up to lead their people and lost their lives in doing so. America became divided by the beliefs of its people. White men of the South believed that it was their right to own slaves and wanted the practice to continue. White men of the North believed that all men should be free and slavery should be abolished. These differences in belief tore the nation apart and war erupted. In the end, the North won and slavery was abolished. This in turn led to many years of hatred and division among Whites and Blacks. Segregation was in place and it took men of character, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. to take a peaceful stand that started the change in racial views. There are still racial prejudices in America, but the country has moved forward making positive changes, and as a result, America has its first African American President.

Many more examples throughout history parallels the struggles depicted in the X-Men Trilogy. Just as many more examples exist in society today that also parallel these struggles. The fight for same-sex marriage is an example of heterosexuals against homosexuals and heterosexuals who support the rights of homosexuals. Struggles remain between the rich and the poor, the government and the people, Christians and Pagans; the list goes on. No matter the struggle, there will always be those who step forward and lead the way to a resolution of the struggle. Each time, society learns a little more and with each struggle, moves closer to tolerance, acceptance, and peace.

The words spoken by Professor Xavier at the beginning of X-Men 2 – X-Men United sums it up best, “Mutants, since the discovery of their existence, they have been regarded with fear, suspicion, often hatred. Across the planet, debate rages, ‘Are mutants the next link in the evolutionary chain or simply a new species of humanity fighting for their share of the world?’ Either way, it is an historical fact, sharing the world has never been humanity’s shining attribute” (Singer, 2005). Throughout all of humanity’s struggles since the beginning of time and throughout those yet to come, these words hold a ring of truth.

©Raven Williams 08072010

Choices

“Only after the last tree has been cut down, Only after the last river has been poisoned, Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find money cannot be eaten.”
~ Cree Prophecy

I was sitting in my backyard the other evening.  We have a birdfeeder filled with bird seed hanging from the tree and another feeder sitting on the ground filled with sunflower seeds for the squirrels.  The squirrels were off somewhere else, apparently full from earlier in the day.  The birds were eating from the hanging feeder as well as the one filled with sunflower seeds. 

By the one with sunflower seeds was a pair of cardinals, male and female.  The male would reach into the feeder, pull out a seed, crack it open with his beak, and feed it to the female.  He would then get a seed for himself and then another for the female.  As I watched them, I thought how wonderful it would be if all humans could care for one another, the way the male cared for the female cardinal.

Long ago, before Columbus discovered America and the first settlers landed at Plymouth Rock, the First Nations People roamed this land.  They lived in tribes.  They raised and taught all of the children of the tribe.  The food hunted and gathered was for the entire tribe, not just a single family.  All members of the tribe cared for each other and made sure the needs of the entire tribe was met.  They lived in harmony with nature and gave thanks for the sustenance the Earth Mother provided.

Even after the settlers came to America, they lived in settlements.  The crops grown were for the entire settlement.  The settlers worked together and the needs of everyone in the settlement were taken care of.  No one did without.  Even today, there are some communities who still do this, but they are far and few between.

What happened to change this?  When did self become more important than the whole?  While there are still those who care for and help their fellow human beings, more and more society has become about self.  You see it everywhere; in commercials on television, in the homeless on the streets being ignored, and in the stores as people go about collecting things.  Materialism and self-absorption has become the mainstay of today’s society.  Children roam the streets at night and gangs terrorize inner cities.  Parents are working two or more jobs to make ends meet and food banks cannot keep the shelves filled to meet the demand.  In addition, more and more people turn a blind eye to what goes on around them.

We cannot continue to only care about self and those closest to us and ignore the rest of humanity.  There is coming a time when society as we know it will change.  When the change comes, it will be drastic.  When the society of today comes to an end, we will all be faced with a choice.  There is no getting around it; a choice will have to be made.  Will we continue to be self-absorbed and only care about self and those closest to us or will we choose to go back to the Old Ways?  The ways of the First Nation People where we come together as a community and work for the good of the whole community and the Earth, not just those that can afford it.  That time is coming; it is unavoidable.  When the time comes, what choice will you make?  Choose wisely.

I leave you with this:

“Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.”

An Ute Prayer

©Raven Williams 08252010

Walking the Labyrinth of Life

"All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man... the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports. 

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. 

Man does not weave this web of life. He is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." -Chief Seattle

When we are born, we are standing at the entrance to the labyrinth of life. We start out walking the spiral life path, only to be sidetracked by choices we have made. Even though we get sidetracked, we are always brought back to the spiral path through the lessons learned in our mistakes and through divine guidance. When we continue to make decisions that sidetrack us, our labyrinth becomes a maze filled with dead ends and blind trails. It is at this time that we need to take stock, evaluate our decisions and actions, and reflect on the consequences of each.

We are all part of the web of life. Everything we do causes our thread in this web to vibrate. These vibrations then travel through the web and affect all living beings, including our Earth Mother. Because of this interconnection, we must stop and think about how our actions affect one another.

There comes a time when we must return to the spiral path and walk the labyrinth. We must connect to our center, let go of fear, open our hearts fully and connect with the Divine. We must always strive to maintain balance between ego (self), soul, and spirit. Our ego is our self-identity, our core beliefs, our ability to stand up for ourselves, and those beliefs. Our soul is our heart and is aligned with both the ego and spirit. Our heart must balance our personal wants and needs with the needs of spirit. Our beautiful spirit is what urges us to seek our center, to connect with the Divine, to move to another level of awareness and enlightenment.

When we reach the point where ego, soul, and spirit are balanced, we can approach life from a position of love. We no longer react to situations; we rise above them and find a loving way to resolve the issues at hand. We connect to the Divine, receive love, and pour that love out to the world. We have reached the center of the labyrinth and we are able to live a full, complete life.

"Wakan Tanka, Great Mystery, teach me how to trust my heart, my mind, my intuition, my inner knowing, the senses of my body, the blessings of my spirit. Teach me to trust these things so that I may enter my Sacred Space and love beyond my fear, and thus Walk in Balance with the passing of each glorious Sun." ~ Lakota Prayer

©Raven Williams 07042010