September is my birthday month. I love my birthday month. I always loved September. To me September is about change and beginnings. The weather is changing... it's the beginning of fall. The leaves are changing, beautiful colors are everywhere. School's beginning for many people, and because of that anticipation, excitement and trepidation the energy is different in September. Most people start September off with a 3 day weekend. We begin pulling out the winter clothes... well depending where one lives... at least maybe boots- of some sort. We try to get the last of our beach days in.
Although I also enjoy the beginning of most seasons, so I guess maybe it's just that my birthday is this month.
I've also been thinking a lot lately about my last blog and how things need to change. My goal for the month of September is to do 35 acts of kindness, generosity, peace, compassion, love. I'm not setting down rules, but 35 acts will be completed by the end of September. I will blog about each of them, not as a way to brag, but mainly to make myself accountable. And maybe to see if this can give other people- you- the same idea and we can spread this positive energy.
About Me
- Robyn
- Social Worker, Writer, Volunteer, Reader, Friend, Daughter, Sister, Woman, Passionate, Compassionate, Social, Outgoing, Lives life, Yogini, Liberal, Music lover... all these things can describe me and more... I can either be put in a box or just be me. I am Robyn. Welcome to my hood :)
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
violence... and peace
The other day I posted on Facebook why is there so much unnecessary violence. Then I realized how redundant that verbage is. Unnecessary violence. When is violence ever necessary? Think hard about this. When is violence ever necessary?
There isn't. If you stated, well self-defense of course. Yes, self-defense is fighting violence with violence. Guess what, if violence wasn't done in the first place then self-defense wouldn't need to exist. See... when is violence ever necessary?
As a yoga practitioner the first tenant of yoga is ahimsa- nonviolence. I don't like to use words with a negative. So rather than saying nonviolence, say just ahimsa- peace. Peace as defined by wikipedia is: Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict and the freedom from fear of violence. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the establishment of equality, and a working political order that serves the true interests of all. In international relations, peacetime is not only the absence of war or violent conflict, but also the presence of positive and respectful cultural and economic relationships. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace
Have we, as a planet, ever had peace. Real true peace? Could it exist? I truly hope it can. And I hope sooner rather than later. I'm so frustrated by all this violence, all this hatred. What perpetuates this violence? Media, guns, religion, hatred, ignorance, mental illness, dis-ease, disease, greed, self-hatred, poverty, fear? The list could go on and on.
I know all the cultural, systemic ramifications of all of that. I also get that violence exists because of all of that, but WHY. And why can't those of us who want peace do something about it? Why can't we practice peace, understanding, open-mindedness, acceptance, justice, equality and change the world? Why? I read articles about meditating. Sure meditation helps one become peace, find bliss, etc, but how is that helping the world on a whole (okay I know how one person who is meditating is helping the world, the whole one small stone = ripple thing but clearly it's not working now)? Should we all meditate once a week at the same time so we can send the positive energy vibes out into the world? Maybe. Maybe that's one step. Did I lose some of you? Maybe, thinking I'm going kooky and all new-agey. Should we volunteer? Have peaceful protests? And if we had peaceful protests would people accept that and would we be allowed to just have marches for peace without an agenda? There's always an agenda. That's annoying. Why can't people gather in an area to promote peace? Just that. Simple, no marching and saying stop wars, etc. Just peace people. Spread the love. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Asian, Indian, whatever culture, viewpoint, doesn't everyone want peace? Am I wrong to think that?
I feel like this blog is more questions than an answer. But help me understand. Personally I feel that there is more good in the world than not. Let's try to figure out a way to harness that and make the world an actual good place. Maybe this means random acts of kindness. Maybe it means helping decrease poverty. Even if by a little. Leave politics out of things. If you don't agree with something figure out how to counteract that positively.
Choose an option (or more than one):
1) meet with someone who doesn't share your viewpoint and discuss. Really have a discussion and have an open mind- both of you. Or research the other viewpoint and notice the feelings that arise. Ask yourself why they arise. Don't internalize the feelings, just accept them and then go to #3.
2) Don't judge: pray that you find peace within yourself and then pray for others to find peace.
3) Notice, really notice if it affects you, in your daily life, enough to seriously upset and bother you. If it does go to #1 and then seek professional help- nobody should be chronically tense like that.
4) See everyone as who they are. Beautiful beings in their own way.
5) Volunteer: somewhere that doesn't have any political ties, that you wouldn't normally volunteer at. Soup kitchen, runaway youth shelter, child care, crisis center/line, domestic violence shelter, NAMI (or 5a- go to a NAMI training), group home, hospice, hospital, you get the idea. Do something good. For no reason.
6) Random acts of kindness. Planned or unplanned. Write them down if you want and share them. Again, no political ties, just because.
7) Know that some people won't change their minds and accept that. If they are a big part of your life you may want to go to #1. If not, try not to bring up the issue when you see each other. If you realize you can live without this person cease the relationship.
8) Smile
Add your own....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkZC7sqImaM
There isn't. If you stated, well self-defense of course. Yes, self-defense is fighting violence with violence. Guess what, if violence wasn't done in the first place then self-defense wouldn't need to exist. See... when is violence ever necessary?
As a yoga practitioner the first tenant of yoga is ahimsa- nonviolence. I don't like to use words with a negative. So rather than saying nonviolence, say just ahimsa- peace. Peace as defined by wikipedia is: Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict and the freedom from fear of violence. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the establishment of equality, and a working political order that serves the true interests of all. In international relations, peacetime is not only the absence of war or violent conflict, but also the presence of positive and respectful cultural and economic relationships. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace
Have we, as a planet, ever had peace. Real true peace? Could it exist? I truly hope it can. And I hope sooner rather than later. I'm so frustrated by all this violence, all this hatred. What perpetuates this violence? Media, guns, religion, hatred, ignorance, mental illness, dis-ease, disease, greed, self-hatred, poverty, fear? The list could go on and on.
I know all the cultural, systemic ramifications of all of that. I also get that violence exists because of all of that, but WHY. And why can't those of us who want peace do something about it? Why can't we practice peace, understanding, open-mindedness, acceptance, justice, equality and change the world? Why? I read articles about meditating. Sure meditation helps one become peace, find bliss, etc, but how is that helping the world on a whole (okay I know how one person who is meditating is helping the world, the whole one small stone = ripple thing but clearly it's not working now)? Should we all meditate once a week at the same time so we can send the positive energy vibes out into the world? Maybe. Maybe that's one step. Did I lose some of you? Maybe, thinking I'm going kooky and all new-agey. Should we volunteer? Have peaceful protests? And if we had peaceful protests would people accept that and would we be allowed to just have marches for peace without an agenda? There's always an agenda. That's annoying. Why can't people gather in an area to promote peace? Just that. Simple, no marching and saying stop wars, etc. Just peace people. Spread the love. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Asian, Indian, whatever culture, viewpoint, doesn't everyone want peace? Am I wrong to think that?
I feel like this blog is more questions than an answer. But help me understand. Personally I feel that there is more good in the world than not. Let's try to figure out a way to harness that and make the world an actual good place. Maybe this means random acts of kindness. Maybe it means helping decrease poverty. Even if by a little. Leave politics out of things. If you don't agree with something figure out how to counteract that positively.
Choose an option (or more than one):
1) meet with someone who doesn't share your viewpoint and discuss. Really have a discussion and have an open mind- both of you. Or research the other viewpoint and notice the feelings that arise. Ask yourself why they arise. Don't internalize the feelings, just accept them and then go to #3.
2) Don't judge: pray that you find peace within yourself and then pray for others to find peace.
3) Notice, really notice if it affects you, in your daily life, enough to seriously upset and bother you. If it does go to #1 and then seek professional help- nobody should be chronically tense like that.
4) See everyone as who they are. Beautiful beings in their own way.
5) Volunteer: somewhere that doesn't have any political ties, that you wouldn't normally volunteer at. Soup kitchen, runaway youth shelter, child care, crisis center/line, domestic violence shelter, NAMI (or 5a- go to a NAMI training), group home, hospice, hospital, you get the idea. Do something good. For no reason.
6) Random acts of kindness. Planned or unplanned. Write them down if you want and share them. Again, no political ties, just because.
7) Know that some people won't change their minds and accept that. If they are a big part of your life you may want to go to #1. If not, try not to bring up the issue when you see each other. If you realize you can live without this person cease the relationship.
8) Smile
Add your own....
Thursday, August 9, 2012
some facts
I've been writing blogs in my head for a month but with the move I have been incredibly busy.
So here's some random facts that I want to share:
1. I am a Virgo. My biggest Virgo trait is organization. Everything has to be organized, in place before I can feel at home. If things are not in place, et al, I am crabby. I still have 2 more shelves to hang. It's bothering me a lot. And I still don't have hot water in my bathroom sink. But alas I'm trying to not let that bother me.
2. I love celebrating my birthday. It's in a month. I don't know what to do for it.
3. Speaking of birthdays. I always love to wish other people birthdays via phone/text instead of Facebook. I feel it's more personal. So if you want a text/phone call/email I'll send you one on your birthday :) just need your info.
4. This past year has been hell. Up to about 2 months ago when things finally started falling into place for me. My past job was stressful, like not the job was hard. There were challenges. But like working in an organization that at any point in time I could show up for work and we'd be evicted. Like any day I could be laid off. Almost a year of that. Then I was finally laid off (see previous blog). I tried very hard to make the agency work and try to help the organization be more stable, but to no avail (like, I wasn't listened to...). The way I was treated... I'm not sure if I should be angry, or bitter. Some days I do feel a little bitter taste in my mouth when I think about it. But I want to let it go completely. And I should. I'm so content now.
5. I really feel that the climate of Milwaukee (all of WI?) is terrible for social workers. They really have no concept of how nonprofits can help, help the community, help the overall economy and overall work for the greater good. Yeah, that's pretty big, but it's true. The government doesn't seem to acknowledge this therefore there's no money. It's a systemic thing. I also noticed how many nonprofits in Milwaukee duplicate services, so they are all fighting for the same money. So the more duplicated services, the less money, the less social workers get paid, the less respect they feel, morale then sucks.
6. I truly feel more at home in Baltimore. I miss my family a lot. They are amazing and helped me through everything so much. Miss the kiddos climbing all over me. Their giggles. I miss my friends there. But even so I feel at home. I can't describe this feeling.
7. I miss my Bmore studio apartment so much. Always will. But I like my new apartment too - a lot. I guess 1 month doesn't really have the same homey feeling as 5 years ;)
Have a happy Friday! :)
So here's some random facts that I want to share:
1. I am a Virgo. My biggest Virgo trait is organization. Everything has to be organized, in place before I can feel at home. If things are not in place, et al, I am crabby. I still have 2 more shelves to hang. It's bothering me a lot. And I still don't have hot water in my bathroom sink. But alas I'm trying to not let that bother me.
2. I love celebrating my birthday. It's in a month. I don't know what to do for it.
3. Speaking of birthdays. I always love to wish other people birthdays via phone/text instead of Facebook. I feel it's more personal. So if you want a text/phone call/email I'll send you one on your birthday :) just need your info.
4. This past year has been hell. Up to about 2 months ago when things finally started falling into place for me. My past job was stressful, like not the job was hard. There were challenges. But like working in an organization that at any point in time I could show up for work and we'd be evicted. Like any day I could be laid off. Almost a year of that. Then I was finally laid off (see previous blog). I tried very hard to make the agency work and try to help the organization be more stable, but to no avail (like, I wasn't listened to...). The way I was treated... I'm not sure if I should be angry, or bitter. Some days I do feel a little bitter taste in my mouth when I think about it. But I want to let it go completely. And I should. I'm so content now.
5. I really feel that the climate of Milwaukee (all of WI?) is terrible for social workers. They really have no concept of how nonprofits can help, help the community, help the overall economy and overall work for the greater good. Yeah, that's pretty big, but it's true. The government doesn't seem to acknowledge this therefore there's no money. It's a systemic thing. I also noticed how many nonprofits in Milwaukee duplicate services, so they are all fighting for the same money. So the more duplicated services, the less money, the less social workers get paid, the less respect they feel, morale then sucks.
6. I truly feel more at home in Baltimore. I miss my family a lot. They are amazing and helped me through everything so much. Miss the kiddos climbing all over me. Their giggles. I miss my friends there. But even so I feel at home. I can't describe this feeling.
7. I miss my Bmore studio apartment so much. Always will. But I like my new apartment too - a lot. I guess 1 month doesn't really have the same homey feeling as 5 years ;)
Have a happy Friday! :)
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