This definitely resonates. There are so many thinkers and artists who have expressed this in different ways, and yet there is still this question for me of what it means to "do good." I built my vocation around two operating philosophies: authenticity and building a voice for the voiceless.
Despite this, it has been a slow discovery for the path ahead in where to focus as a continued dedication to those principles. In today's hyperconnectivity, it is so complex to desire to communicate broadly "I don't believe that anymore." Brand identity is such a fundamental part of the everyday--to be consistently "on message." For many of us who have also had to overcome struggles of different kinds, it's also a desire to relate to others by saying "and I've grown since we last connected deeply." Being seen in our transformative cocoon and butterfly times is incredibly meaningful.
Changing the world does have a certain ring to it that implies capacity most of us don't really have, but I've become curious about spheres of influence. What you contribute to in my sphere is much appreciated. :)
Thank you for this Bethaney. As always, it’s a pleasure to travel with you.
I’d say that there are many things that I don’t believe anymore ... actually, maybe they’ve just evolved.
I used to believe in the good/bad binary. And well that fed into, if I am good enough, I will receive my reward. This insinuated that there was something to receive outside of this moment. In this, I believed in the worthiness/unworthiness/deserving.... pretty much anything binary.
Another belief that’s evolved and greatly shifted me is hierarchy and time. My deepest practice now is consensual relationships - with the elements, with the plant kingdom, with animal kingdom, people and beings of ethereal realms - this lends to my spiritual practices of rhythm, harmony and union. Consuming and consumption feel deeply harsh these days.
Often I’m asked about my beliefs these days in effort to categorize them into an ism but truthfully, I’m just in consensual relationship with all that is and my deepest teachers are the elements. I believe what I believe until I believe something else.
So beautifully written. Thank you for sharing this.
I grew up with an activist mom. She was always standing up and speaking out against racism and unfair treatment in our small, Mississippi hometown. I remember her speaking at a rally to stop a chemical waste plant from setting up shop in our community. I remember her work as the first female/first black female police officer...positioning herself between police bullies and their targets. I remember her work as the first black alderwoman, and veterans officer. She helped so many families get military benefits that were unjustly denied them. Needless to say, my mom was/is my hero. But, it was only as I grew into adulthood...particularly womanhood...that I started to contemplate the toll this must have taken on her...mentally, emotionally, and physically.
I began to question...how to do good without neglecting and sacrificing one's self. And, does the real essence of Good ever require sacrifice? What is sacrifice...and to a lessor degree, compromise...really, at its core?
I no longer believe in the necessity of sacrifice...in any area of life. I've decided that the ultimate activism is love...cliché as that sounds, lol. And, that our most powerful sphere of influence is first in our homes...and, wherever we are present...truly awake, and present.
Crystal, wow. So much goodness and richness here. I'm really sitting with your statement, "I no longer believe in the necessity of sacrifice...in any area of life." A powerful consideration, and for me, a reorientation. It does seem that in life, there are always gives and takes...but is that the same as "sacrifice", I wonder. What would it look like to not sacrifice in any area of my life? Wow...I'll have to sit with this.
This definitely resonates. There are so many thinkers and artists who have expressed this in different ways, and yet there is still this question for me of what it means to "do good." I built my vocation around two operating philosophies: authenticity and building a voice for the voiceless.
Despite this, it has been a slow discovery for the path ahead in where to focus as a continued dedication to those principles. In today's hyperconnectivity, it is so complex to desire to communicate broadly "I don't believe that anymore." Brand identity is such a fundamental part of the everyday--to be consistently "on message." For many of us who have also had to overcome struggles of different kinds, it's also a desire to relate to others by saying "and I've grown since we last connected deeply." Being seen in our transformative cocoon and butterfly times is incredibly meaningful.
Changing the world does have a certain ring to it that implies capacity most of us don't really have, but I've become curious about spheres of influence. What you contribute to in my sphere is much appreciated. :)
Thank you for this Bethaney. As always, it’s a pleasure to travel with you.
I’d say that there are many things that I don’t believe anymore ... actually, maybe they’ve just evolved.
I used to believe in the good/bad binary. And well that fed into, if I am good enough, I will receive my reward. This insinuated that there was something to receive outside of this moment. In this, I believed in the worthiness/unworthiness/deserving.... pretty much anything binary.
Another belief that’s evolved and greatly shifted me is hierarchy and time. My deepest practice now is consensual relationships - with the elements, with the plant kingdom, with animal kingdom, people and beings of ethereal realms - this lends to my spiritual practices of rhythm, harmony and union. Consuming and consumption feel deeply harsh these days.
Often I’m asked about my beliefs these days in effort to categorize them into an ism but truthfully, I’m just in consensual relationship with all that is and my deepest teachers are the elements. I believe what I believe until I believe something else.
So beautifully written. Thank you for sharing this.
I grew up with an activist mom. She was always standing up and speaking out against racism and unfair treatment in our small, Mississippi hometown. I remember her speaking at a rally to stop a chemical waste plant from setting up shop in our community. I remember her work as the first female/first black female police officer...positioning herself between police bullies and their targets. I remember her work as the first black alderwoman, and veterans officer. She helped so many families get military benefits that were unjustly denied them. Needless to say, my mom was/is my hero. But, it was only as I grew into adulthood...particularly womanhood...that I started to contemplate the toll this must have taken on her...mentally, emotionally, and physically.
I began to question...how to do good without neglecting and sacrificing one's self. And, does the real essence of Good ever require sacrifice? What is sacrifice...and to a lessor degree, compromise...really, at its core?
I no longer believe in the necessity of sacrifice...in any area of life. I've decided that the ultimate activism is love...cliché as that sounds, lol. And, that our most powerful sphere of influence is first in our homes...and, wherever we are present...truly awake, and present.
Crystal, wow. So much goodness and richness here. I'm really sitting with your statement, "I no longer believe in the necessity of sacrifice...in any area of life." A powerful consideration, and for me, a reorientation. It does seem that in life, there are always gives and takes...but is that the same as "sacrifice", I wonder. What would it look like to not sacrifice in any area of my life? Wow...I'll have to sit with this.
Thank you for reading and for reflecting with me.