An Absence Speaks Strongly

Friday, August 30, 2013

Yesterday morning (as I was visiting Circle K for my extra-large cinnamon coffee), my attention was captured by a photograph on the front of the USA Today.  The picture that caught my eye was that of President Obama, Michelle Obama and former Presidents, Clinton and Carter on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  They were there commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of the March on Washington including Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech.  Immediately, the question that popped into my mind was, “Where are the Republicans?”  The question wasn’t tainted with any judgment or emotion necessarily; it just seemed very odd that they didn’t appear to be present.

The absence of our “other half” bothered me enough that I decided to investigate on the internet.  Surprisingly, I found that prominent Republicans were invited to speak (including the only elected African American Senator) and declined.  I have to admit, I don’t really understand.  As I pondered this over the past 24 hours, I experienced several different emotions.  I’ve done my best to refrain from judgment since I really have no idea why the choice not to attend may have been made.  It appears to be a “party” decision (or a really weird coincidence)….and even more interesting is the fact that it’s the party of Lincoln.

This morning, I became interested in “why” a decision like this might be made.  As I contemplated “why”, it occurred to me that perhaps this commemoration represented something else to some people….maybe some believe in freedom and equality but don’t agree when it comes to the “how” of getting there?  Who knows?  However, it also occurred to me that it may be true that some really don’t believe in freedom and equality for all people and if this is the case, then we have some real problems.  Disagreeing over “strategies” is one thing.  Not supporting the foundational ideals of our nation is another. 

For me, the following questions now stick in my mind…not just for representatives but for each of us….do you or do you not believe in freedom and equality for all people?  Do you see the people of our country as “blue” or “red”, in terms of ethnicity, religious affiliation or sexual orientation?…or do you see Americans?  Are you more concerned about what’s best for Americans or loyalty to a political party that represents less than half of the people?

As I take these questions into my own heart and answer them for myself, I realize how important it is to hold a vibration of Unity, right now….we have come to an evolutionary crossroads, it seems.  Will we choose the values of a higher consciousness – becoming ever more aligned with our foundational aspirations?  Or will we allow the unconscious to stymy the ascent? 

As for me, I’m choosing to hold the vision of Unity…a vision of one nation….under God….indivisible…with liberty and justice for All….a vision in which the essence of America is in full bloom.  I’m in love with the essence of America…how about you?

Much love,

Karrie

The Importance of Differing Perspectives

Monday, August 19, 2013

For quite some time, I’ve been contemplating democracy.  Without putting a lot of thought into it, I have always been a staunch supporter – and still am.  However, it wasn’t until the presidential election of 2012 that I began to take a closer look.

The partisan polarization of the 2012 election really opened my eyes in regards to the form of government (democratic republic) we have been blessed with for the past 226 years.  In so many ways, it has worked.  The checks and balances have been brilliant and when the three governmental branches can’t “check” themselves, the Supreme Court has pretty much come through.  Yes, I am aware of the maddening, painstakingly slow crawl in the area of civil rights and equality.  I recognize this to be one of the “hitches” in a democratic form of government.  We can’t move forward without at least 51% of the people onboard.  We have to wait for consciousness to evolve and our perspectives to diversify and upgrade. 

So back to the election of 2012…this election was incredibly disturbing for me.  First, the extremely polarized agendas of the major parties made it almost impossible to come from a centered or “unifying” position.  In the months leading up to the election, I found myself dealing with my own participation in the polarization.  I really worked at reining “me” in and coming from a higher perspective….one that can support diverse beliefs under the umbrella of freedom and equality.  (That took some doing!)  On the day of the election, I suddenly realized that no matter who won, 50% of the voters were going to be angry…some threatening to leave the country or even commit suicide!  Wow….  This realization was heartbreaking for me. 

Over the months since the election, I have pondered this heartbreaking realization and democracy.  Democracy in many ways has become a “winner takes all” operation.  Whichever political party ends up in the majority, sees their “win” as a permission slip to force their views on the “whole”.  Yet 50% are in disagreement.  My concern is if we don’t change our ways, we may see the tumbling of that which we have held so dear due to the unrest and divisiveness.

So….yesterday, I was chatting with a good friend of mine about the importance of differing perspectives.  When we listen to diverse perspectives, we can get a better picture of the “whole” of the situation or issue.  This reminds me of the story about the six blind men and the elephant.  Each man was in proximity to a different part of the elephant and each had a different perspective on what an elephant looked like.  One described the elephant as a “trunk”…another a foot…anotherthe tail…another an ear…another a shoulder….another the hindquarters.  Each was correct in describing their experience of the elephant yet none was correct in regard to the “whole” of the elephant.  To me, this is an example of the importance of different perspectives when discussing an issue.  Without listening to all the different perspectives, we can’t see the whole of the situation.  Therefore, we are less able to make the best decisions.

I read a couple of books in the past several months that also exemplify this idea for me.  One of the books was about John Adams and the other Thomas Jefferson.  These two founders were almost polar opposites in their philosophies at times.  As I saw “events” through the lenses of each man, I began to get a picture of what was really going on at the time.  The neutral truth of the event could be found in using the different perspectives.  Both were necessary to see the whole of the issue.

Winston Churchill was once quoted as saying, “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.”  From my contemplations over the last several months, I definitely understand this statement.  I’ve come to a conclusion that it isn’t the form of government that’s to blame for the polarization that threatens to rip us apart at times.  It’s just that it’s time to evolve our consciousness in how we use our form of government.  It’s time to move from “winner takes all”…”there isn’t enough”…”some are more worthy than others”…to something that comes from our unity, first… respecting the perspectives of all… and recognizing the importance of differing perspectives in finding solutions for the whole.  We’re evolving beyond life as a “football game” and moving into life as an “orchestra” where there’s a chair for everyone and each chair is needed for the advancement of our nation – as well as humanity.

As I have come to know myself, I know my perspectives are constantly evolving.  My hope is to align with that which supports freedom and equality, and therefore, the right to varying and disparate beliefs.  My desire is to move from competition to co-creation when it comes to solutions, and my wish is for each and every one of us to find happiness as we bring forth our own unique perspectives, gifts, talents and genius. 

In Unity and Love,

Karrie       

The Evolution of Government

Friday, August 16, 2013

This morning, I find myself vibrating with a sense of urgency.  Well, I’m not sure urgency is the right word, exactly.  Perhaps I could better describe it with “an intense energy” which is pushing me to “do” something.  This intensity seems to be around government…specifically, the evolution of government. 

When I take a step back and look at our government today – especially state or federal levels of government – I sense that we have outgrown something and that we’re ready for the next level (whatever that means!).  Lately, I have visited some local city councils and have been very impressed with what I’ve observed.  They appear to function with what’s best for the community in mind.  They seem to listen to community members who choose to take part…and they attempt to come up with win-win solutions which address the whole as well as the individual.  They don’t seem to align with a particular party rhetoric or jostling for power.  I haven’t observed anything like blocking proposals from the public or holding ideas hostage.  They seem to know their communities and make decisions accordingly.  For me, this is how it’s meant to work.

So why can’t “higher” levels of government work the same way?  Part of the answer to this question seems to lie in the allegiance of representatives to a political party rather than the “whole” and the basic tenets our nation was founded upon.  Those elected seem to represent a piece of society but not the whole of their constituents.  They represent those who believe as they do but not the entirety of the citizenship.  Doesn’t this seem dangerous in regard to freedom and equality?  Doesn’t this seem threatening to the very ideals that government is meant to uphold and protect?  How can one protect freedom while supporting one set of individual beliefs over another?  It seems the goal is to support freedom and equality, first because this would maintain the rights of all beings to their individual beliefs.  What if they and we came from our unity, first?    

I think what’s going on in Egypt is a perfect example of the partisanship which holds our country hostage.  Rather than protecting the unalienable rights of each being to have their own beliefs, religions, etc., the majority party attempts to force the minority to live according to beliefs oppositional to their own.  Isn’t that what some of our citizens attempt to do through a misuse of government (at least as far as I’m concerned)?

It seems to me, we’ve gone as far as we can go with our current rules of engagement.  These rules no longer support the positive evolution of our society on any level.  Each of us is called to raise our consciousness to a new plane…a plane that comes from unity – supporting the ideals of freedom and equality while embracing our differences as a means to co-create a world of a more truthful and updated nature.  It’s going to take each of us engaging in whatever means calls us.  Some will march…some will hold space for unity…some will form organizations…some will contact their representatives… some will attend meetings and make their voice heard…and all will affect change with their thoughts and prayers.

As for me, I may find myself taking part in any of the above…depending on the direction my soul dictates.  I am excited to be alive on this planet at this time…and part of the creation of what is to come.

Much love,

Karrie