Standing up for what you believe in…

Standing up for what we believe in sounds a lot simpler than is usually turns out to be, because in order to do so, we need to have a clear and succinct idea on where we stand on any issue before us. It is easy to protest something we don’t agree with, yet it is a lot harder to define what we believe in where the particular issue is concerned.

In other words, an attitude that says: “No-one is going to tell me what to do…” signals that we can take care of ourselves, and we don’t need any help from others, no matter how well intended that help is.

When this attitude leads to actively protesting guidelines or even laws because they would “tell us what to do”, it also shows a certain amount of self centeredness. 

It suggests a belief system that says that our right to make our own choices — whatever the cost — is more important than the health and prosperity, or perhaps just the “peace of mind” within the community that we are part of.

When we find ourselves in a situation that we are feeling so strongly about, one way or the other, that we are ready to protest the situation, it could be a good time to step back and ask ourselves the question why we are feeling this way… And to take a little time to look at the things we truly believe in.

Do we believe we are that the only person that matters? That our perspectives, our personal truth is so important that it should be imposed on everybody else?

Or do we believe in a sense of community where we — within the bounds of everyone’s autonomy — look out for one another? Where we are willing to follow the guidelines — even when we are not totally agreeing with them — for the greater good of the community?

Either perspective requires that we start defining what we believe in, and how we are going to live our lives accordingly. Either perspective requires thought, and even foresight as to the consequences our subsequent lifestyle would have. For ourselves as well as for those around us.

In this point in time where everything we know and hold dear seems to be in flux, where more and more changes are totally out of our control because of their nature — for instance them being instigated by nature — it seems like all that is left for us to do is to loudly protest that which we disagree with. To make ourselves heard.

And in a lot of ways, this is a good thing.

As long as we don’t loose sight of the things we truly believe in. As long as we still live our lives according to those perspectives that are truly important to us…

If ever there has been a time to stand up for what we believe in, it is now…

The Elements

When we are thinking about the elements as far as the weather is concerned, we may think of cold weather, with rain and high winds. And with that, we mainly think of the element water… And the wind or stormy weather that permits that element to move.

When we look at the energy of water as an element, it has to do with cleansing and with emotions — and the wind then that brings these energies into motion. It makes that taking a walk in stormy weather can truly help us to clear our heads…

On the other side, right now it is summer. Lots of sunshine, high temperatures, and hardly any breeze at all. For many the perfect summer weather, although for some the temperatures may be a bit on the high side…

Right now, what we are experiencing is the element of fire. And fire has a lot to do with cleansing as well. On top of that the elemental energy of fire is about gathering the things we need in our lives, and allowing them to start moving around.

Summer then, has its own energy which has to do with details and wonderment. It is an energy that invites us to look with an open mind at what is happening in our lives, specifically the details that are at play.

The interesting thing is that this energy is coming up at the same moment we need to start paying more attention to the Corona virus again. Perhaps it is as important to keep social distancing while new rules and regulations may be implemented in busy areas in order to again contain the virus.

This combination of the summer weather with lots of sunshine and high temperatures requires us to again — and with an open mind — look at what is necessary to safely live a healthy, happy life. To observe what is important in our lives. To truly see the details in our lives…

Which details are so important to us that we will keep giving them our time, focus and energy, and which details are just the “small stuff” we will, bit by bit, forget about?

The thing is, because this is all about the details, it may seem not quite that important to spend our time looking at them. And therein lies the challenge! Because especially these details, when we start adding them up, can make a huge difference in our lives!

Looking at it from the perspective of the energy of the elements, what we are dealing with now is a cleansing — looking at what we really desire in our lives and what we can release — and then observing with an open mind how we can bring that that is important to us into movement in such a manner that we can shape it into a (new) whole.

From a practical viewpoint this could mean that we are looking at new eating habits, or a new way to take better care of ourselves. Or perhaps giving our innate, natural rhythm the space it needs so that we can finally be that morning- or evening person that we truly are…

Chances are that when we look at the elemental energy of fire we are experiencing in the summer weather in this manner, the changes that bit by bit are “sneaking into our lives” are going to be positive and beneficial — making our lives more beautiful!