This week I made a greater effort to try and quiet my thoughts and practice the assigned excercise, and I succeeded (at least more than in the past)!But first what I was happy to hear during the meditation is the references made to one of my favorite flowers the Lotus flower.
There are many varieties of this flower but each one for me brings a sense of peacefulness when I see a picture of it. This excercise helped me to decide that this will be the oil painting I will paint (I am not an artist, but it is a simple pic), and place it above the fireplace, and it will be the first thing I see when I walk through the house in the am to start my day.
Trying to give homage to my older relatives both who have passed and those living, I at first tried to select a person who had an impact on my life in terms of wisdom to live by, and although there were short memories here and there and some that I adore, I couldn't help but to think that the individuals that I have gained a lot from in terms of wisdom and understanding about the world we live in, have come from well read, educated, and or those with tons of world experience.
I thouroughly enjoy listening the the cablenews stations espescially political and cultural issues, (I am alone in this, but thats ok), and I am reminded of a college professor,
Melissa Harris-Perryhttp://melissaharrisperry.com/about.html,
who since having served as a pundit on MSNBC, she is now a paid commentator, and I look forward to her perspective on issues. She explains things with such detail and clarity, that I envy her ability to express her thoughts in that way.
There are a number of others that I hold in high regard for their intelect and fearless approach to life, another is Richard Engel and his ability to discuss what is happening on the ground in Afganistan or Iraq, and then sit across from a news anchor a week later and discuss issues seamlessly.
There are a few people while trying to do this excercise that I was reluctant to choose because I felt compelled to choose a member of my family, and it might have been my 83 yr old uncle who I love dearly, and he has experienced a lot and talks alot and I mean alot about everybody, and thats when I question the validity of his wonderful stories!
I began trying to finish my education in the Human Services field, and I remember the question kept coming up about having personally experienced certain things in life before being able to help others with the same issues.
I am not sure that I agree with that statement, because where would we be or the many populations in our world that need long term assistance if they had to wait until only those that "walked in their shoes" came along?
There are numerous stories of people that come from very wealthy or secluded backgrounds that are presently living among people from cultures totally opposite of who they are.
There are health care workers, I think of Doctors Without Borders, to name one that repeatedly seek to help peolple who literally have nothing and are in a crisis, and will not be able to pay for their care, but the reward of helping others is all that one will get.
I truley believe that the "open mind and open heart", is what is needed first when making the decision to help those who need it regardless of who it is.
Firstly, I must say that I like the way that you write. Now I am of the opinion that a person must have an experience before attempting to suggest to or instruct another. At the same time, I can also see your point. It really would take pioneers in whatever field for others to follow, but would you feel comfortable advising a close friend who is quite stressed, to participate in aesclepius healing for relief when you have not tried it yourself? Would you not feel more confident doing so, if you are able point out potholes? I do agree that the principle of "open mind, open heart" is a necessary component. Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteIf it took a person who has already walked a mile in someone else's shoes then we wouldn't have enough care givers. It is truly difficult for those who are w/o loving leadership to all of the sudden gain inner strength and walk the tight rope of wellness and wholeness.
ReplyDeleteI think that it takes a person of great wholeness to inspire others to achieve it too. Giving good reasons to start mindfullness is much better than discovering where a person is coming from. The place they are coming from obviously isn't helping and so they should just accept it and leave it in the past and stop sabotaging their future with it.
I think only those people who have tried and who actively practice some of the meditations that we have learned here are well enough that someone else would be truly inspired! There are many health practitioners out there who are uninspiring.
Maybe education counts towards walking a mile in someones shoes. We certainly spend the hours reading and writing about what we learn, I am not convinced that it doesn't add to our credibility just as much as 'been there, done that'.
ReplyDeleteDebra again, really enjoyed your blog this week. I hope you continue with it after this class ends because I would really like to follow it/you. I do understand what you meant by walking a mile etc. However I truly believe you can be sympathetic even if your unable to be empathetic. It's not something that can be taught but rather an innate feeling. You obviously encompass both traits. Good luck with the painting.
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