Many today use the phrase "speaking truth to power". It is an inherently false statement. Truth IS power. Power does not mean speaking lies or being manipulative. Power is living by those principles which animate every sentient being.
The time of partisan politics is dead. Most Americans are not taking sides or responding to talking points. They are tired of hate speech. They want health, housing, freedom, justice, safety, joy, clean air and the energy and resources to manifest their dreams. They want their children to have more opportunities than they had.
We all see what is happening...what has happened.
We each must reach deep within ourselves and speak truth to ourselves and to others...even excruciatingly uncomfortable and inconvenient truth. There is no other time. It's 11:59:59.
We have been "working on" ourselves for so very long: spirit, mind and body. So many of us have transformed our relationships by being willing speak truth in our families and letting the spiritual chips fall where they may. Many of us empower others (whether we know it or not) by our example of living our unique lives peacefully while refusing to compromise our values or morality.
Now, those of us with an overflow of energy, must turn to our community, state, nation and world and devote some time to our collective governance--politics in the highest sense of the word--and the changes we must make, now, to assure survival of our human species...better yet: How to thrive!
Every person has equal power from within. Money, title, charisma, lineage and looks can be taken away from you. Your inner power cannot. You have as much power as the richest person in the world, as the most popular person in media, as the commander of armed forces, mercenaries and nuclear weapons.
Your voice is essential. Your actions are essential. Your very presence is essential.
The United States is the only country guided by a written vision statement and instructions to manifest that vision: The Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution. The beauty of a written statement is that one can continually use it as a guideline for every decision. It is a benchmark. Read these documents this week. Notice what you see...
The other day, I mentioned to an acquaintance that I had grave concerns about our nation, environment and where it is headed. She made a comment about how she liked to be "positive." Well, you can be positive it will be sunny, but that won't change the fact that its just the eye of the hurricane. You can be positive you're broke. You can pray for grace and guidance, but if you don't follow through with the actions screaming in your intuition, then what good is it?
If your car mechanic says your brakes are shot, your gas tank is on empty and the timing chain is about to break, do you tell him that he is not being "positive? Do you decide you would rather keep driving so your day is more "positive" and comfortable and goes along with your plans? No. You have to endure some discomfort, change your plans and write the big check. When you leave, however, you feel a little safer, confident and peaceful. If you didn't act, well...the downside could be dangerous or even fatal for you, your passengers and others on the road.
It's the same thing with how we govern ourselves. Sometimes, we have to change plans, skip some free time and tend to issues facing us.
This is that time.
Democracy is governance by the people. This means, we must tend to it on a regular basis like plants in our garden. Tending to our community and it's governance is personal leadership. It is taking personal responsibility. It needs to be a regular part of our lives.
There is a great and grave difference between "comfort" and "peace". We have been comfortable for a long time. Many of us now see that the comfort is a trap, a drug. Most people do not want to have responsibility for harming others so that we can be more comfortable. However, if people are harmed by our inaction, we are responsible.
I'm not sure what the answers are for you. I do invite you to spend some time in contemplation, prayer and meditation this week; to clarify your role, to take at least one action in the direction of democracy, health, freedom, justice and peace.
Powerful ARE the peaceful!
Love and light:
Leena
For a powerful example of speaking truth AS power, watch Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize Speech, below.
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