During the bleak, acrimonious war playing out in Congress all summer, a temporary truce is called early this week. It emerges from the unexpected presence of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords on August 1st to cast her vote to raise the debt ceiling.
Those present, along with the world, feel moved and mesmerized by the vision of Gabby walking and talking after sustaining a severe brain trauma this past January. In the flesh Gabby symbolizes hope and possibility. Her appearance marks the triumph of good over evil. As a casualty of violence, she touches those people in the political hall of Congress at a heart level, reminding them to reconnect to their humanity, to rise above the smallness and meanness, to transcend differences.
It is easy to get carried away with the symbolism. Perhaps all Gabby wanted to do was to serve her constituents by casting a pivotal vote. Yet I see much more. I see this courageous congresswoman as a modern day shaman, one who by her very presence casts healing light around her. We desperately need these symbols of hope in a world where institutionalized corruption has led to the near collapse of the world economy.
In my mind I leap ahead. What if Congress were filled with 50 more people like Gabby? Would people work together in a spirit of cooperation? What important work could be accomplished?
As I zoom the lens of my perspective outward, I see it is not about political parties. It's more about how power continues to be defined in our world: ego-based aggression in all forms; violent force; domination. Winner takes all. We still need warriors, but they must be enlightened warriors.
Civilization wasn't always like this. Five thousand + years ago, societies thrived under a matriarchal system (and no, fellows, women did not dominate men). The arts flourished; violence did not. Both masculine and feminine energies got equal footing. Check out the book The Chalice and the Blade,by Riane Eisler, for a provocative read.
Back to 2011, signs abound that a world dominated by masculine energy, without the balancing feminine energy of nurturance, creativity, connection to higher guidance, and to the sacred, will eventually self-destruct. Fortunately there is a movement underfoot. I may not live to see the ultimate change that rebalances the earth and the world. But I can be a part of the movement that inches it closer. If you are even reading this, you are likely part of this enlightened groundswell, driven by an inner knowing and by your own wisdom.
I have been silent on this blog for 7+ months. It almost feels like I have been in a hunkered down mode, in reaction to the financial instability in the U.S. and abroad. I am breaking my silence, putting out a call to my comrades in spirit. I need your light to keep on keeping on.
I had the most uplifting experience a couple of weekends ago. We travelled from South Carolina, where we currently live, to Ohio to a small wedding reception filled with old friends and colleagues from my former profession (life coaching). As soon as I walked into the room where the reception was held, I felt incredibly positive energy. It was like being at a love fest. What an experience to be in with a group of people holding enlightened energy!
It goes back to each one of us. We start with ourselves. Learning to love ourselves, both the good and bad. Empowering ourselves by balancing the masculine and feminine energies in our own lives, and learning how to use power. In the book edited by Michele Jamal, Shape Shifters, contributor Sandy Ingerman discusses the fear women have of getting in touch with their masculine energy, for fear of misuse. She defines positive male energy as "right action:"
Right action is about taking the information from our intuition, from deep inside ourselves, and then acting on it in the physical world. Right action is about allowing action instead of forcing action.
I write this to remind myself that one person, empowered with "right action," can be a force for good in ways I (we) can't imagine. Game on! Will you join me?
[Photo Credit: Huffington Post]
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