“Self-censorship is not just self-betrayal and self-abandonment (which would be bad enough), but soul-betrayal and betrayal of our Muse, out inner voice, our highest self.”
Too often we censor ourselves, our actions, and our work in hope or fear of what might happen if we otherwise don’t. What words would you write today, and what actions would you take, if you had nothing to fear, nothing to lose?
For most of the Trust30 challenge having to do with Emerson's "Self Reliance," I've made the choice to express, to the best of my allowance and ability, the authentic Self that I am. This is the capital "S"-e-l-f; The small "s"-e-l-f is the fearful, censoring, living in the dark, concerned about things that cannot be controlled, part of the persona. I have danced with this partner for as long as I've been alive.
In the earliest of days, it was a very minor bit in the life of a minor. The conversations we have when no adult understands, thinking we're merely rapidly growing blobs of gurgling flesh, is actually high level stuff. The things that can't be seen that babies stare at are, in fact, really there.
...until we are taught, by example, that they aren't. This is socialization at its finest, when the "self" starts to truly take root.
And it is all OK. In fact, it is necessary.
In the days that this community of writers has come together via extraordinary means, many stories have been shared. I don't think that I'm going out on a limb in saying that there has been some growth, expressions of freedom and joyous "a-ha" moments shared in the context of "Trust30."
You don't have those moments if there is nothing to compare to, contrast with, choose otherwise. My opinion is that this is what life is, the building blocks for the creators that we all are.
If the world was all sunshine, sweetness and light, what would vanilla ice cream taste like?
Think about it...
One other item to consider; What if in the eternity of the game, knowing that there is no risk involved, you chose to take on a role of "darkness" this time around? It is necessary, you know. There are no heroes without villains, no saints without sinners.
Life is choice.
If there is nothing to choose from, there exists no choice... no creation... no life.
And as infinite beings, dancing and creating in a universe of infinite choice, this can, and will, never be.
I suppose we all dance with the 'S/selves'. Unless we live as the 'self' for however long we need to, we can never grow into the 'Self'. Correct me if I am wrong?! Sometimes, I do not quite grasp the true meaning of some posts!
ReplyDeleteMy post was very painful yesterday, and even if he never reads it, I feel so much lighter within. Thanks for sharing! Take care.
Peace, Nico
Rich, a very rich post!
ReplyDeleteI see life very much through an energetic, archetypal and symbolic lens and have experienced what people would label as supernatural I do agree that there are more 'dark' contracts that some people take on when manifest as humans. But as so many of us has written; life is a choice and we can move from dark to light. But as you say...vice versa too!
In'Lakesh, Michi
Life is choice! Yes! Dark and Light are both expressions of the the same force - sides of a coin - experience is as experience chooses to be, to see, to know, to grow. I choose the possibility of knowing, seeing, growing and being JOY!
ReplyDeleteI love this post Rich.
ReplyDelete"If there is nothing to choose from, there exists no choice... no creation... no life."
Choice is everything!