“The adventure of life is to learn. The goal of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give. The joy of life is to love.”
William Arthur Ward
The last two weeks my WoWs were triggered by the Trayvon Martin case, but were mainly about being willing to open our minds and hearts to understanding the subconscious beliefs and judgments we individually hold onto so tightly. Once we become aware, we can then route out the ones that may be hurting us and other people, and we can change them if we choose. To do so however, requires us to face our ever present need to be right. It takes a huge willingness to ask ourselves . . .
Am I willing . . .
- to risk dicovering that maybe the views I have held onto so tightly for so long are indeed only my truth, not the capital “T” Truth?
- to risk letting go . . . to step outside of my comfort zone and grow beyond the boundaries of my box and discover new possibilities?
- to risk the discomfort of not knowing and the confusion that accompanies change?
- to risk facing and overcoming my fears of being wrong, being rejected, losing, failing, being hurt, making a mistake?
- to risk tearing down the tough wall behind which I hide and show that down deep I truly care?
- to risk finding out who I really am and live by that?
- to risk the disapproval of others by standing up for my values?
- to risk befriending others who don’t look, act, dress, believe or live like I do with the intent of understanding them better?
- to risk generously giving unconditionally with no expectations for anything in return?
- to risk a final surrender to love . . .openly, honestly, vulnerably and freely?
- to risk what it will take to grow?
Our ego and its incessant need to protect us, wants us to stay safe. It wants to minimize risk in all of the above areas and so it tries to hold on to the status quo by getting us to shut down our minds and our hearts. It doesn’t realize that life, living, joy, freedom and happiness only happen when we open up and are willing to grow.
Many more people have shared their opinions and I only hope the resulting dialog will help us all to open our minds and hearts to see beyond our present opinions and feelings. They are here for your review:
Martha,
I am surprised at the diversity of comments made about the racial profiling issue in the murder case of that young man. I do understand them though.
I am a nurse. A white nurse, in the Detroit area. I have served this community when members are at their most vulnerable. I have seen the shock on the faces of patients and their families when they realize that this nurse does not see color and that I care for my patients highest good.
I have been cussed at, treated like I am going to experiment on their mother or brother… I have had to deal with drug seeking and all sorts of just rude behaviors.
Some people are just rude. Some abuse the already overtaxed medical system. Most are truly very sick.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are a plague here and very prevalent in the Black community. This leads to strokes, amputations, congestive heart failure… It is somewhat genetic and perpetuated by our fast food and fried lifestyle.
Here, we are closing more schools and opening more prisons. Affecting the health of the population is hard. I can do it now only one patient at a time… and it is too late by then.
And the medical profession has performed some terrible experiments on human beings in this country…many of the subjects have been Black. I know that these people have a history and evidence to be afraid. I have written some horrifying papers on the subject.
I am racially profiled. I understand. I try not to take it personally. I have been able to change some peoples minds about me. I look forward to a day when every one of us can understand the others Truth.
Then we can live in a world that works for everyone.
Valerie MSN, RN
Thank you, Valerie for your comment-
Your views are always valued and appreciated.