“Before you can live a part of you has to die. You have to let go of what could have been, how you should have acted and what you wish you would have said differently. You have to accept that you can’t change the past experiences, opinions of others at that moment in time or outcomes from their choices or yours. When you finally recognize that truth then you will understand the true meaning of forgiveness of yourself and others. From this point you will finally be free.”
― Shannon L. Alder
It shouldn’t surprise me any longer, yet it still can. We live in a society where, by and large, everyone is slotted into a stereotype. If we don’t fit into a recognized stereotype, or worse still, refuse to fit into these groups, then we find ourselves outside society.
Once upon a time, in the dim and distant past, and now found only in books, the term used to be called, “Being sent to Coventry”. It was horrendous. Not being accepted by your fellow peers, being non-conformist, can be a lonely existence.
Until, that is, you realise that it isn’t a detrimental thing not belonging to the mass of “sheeple” as someone I know once referred to the mass of followers of the accepted trends. (Following along like sheep).
It seems that being different, an individual, even if you yourself are unaware that you are an individual, can be confronting to others. It can make you feel that there is something not right with who you are, even if you are not seeking to ask anyone to walk your truth. They can be confronted by what they see in you.
They can also be more than a little uncomfortable at seeing you as a mirror, shining back to them the insecurities they are hiding from, and unable to accept. If this happens they are more than likely to ‘attack’ you, indirectly of course. Direct confrontation, even to discuss, in an adult fashion, the differences they see between you and them, is foreign. In order to make themselves feel “righteous” they must try to convince others that you are the one at fault, doing something wrong.
Yes, you are simply being you, but that is enough. They will seek to undermine you and cut you down, and you will not even know why.
So, like the ladies of the First Wives Club, a great movie about loss, despair, growth and claiming your own power, you have to rise up, like the Phoenix and be all that you are. It is a powerful feeling to recognise, even if you need a little help to get you over that line, that you are more than simply okay as you are. You are YOU.
You are a Spirit in a human body and learning all you can. You are learning to be all that you can be, and as long as your motivation is for the Highest Good of all and with the Best Intentions for everyone, including yourself, then it is a wonderful thing to be your unique self. This is living a Spiritual Life. Live your life and love it, all of it.
“It’s not what you say out of your mouth that determines your life, it’s what you whisper to yourself that has the most power!”
― Robert T. Kiosaki
Blessings, Susan ♥
© Susan Jamieson, 2014
Owls and Orchids 