The Charlottesville Aftermath: It’s Time to Wake-Up!

Trying to make sense of the Charlottesville, VA events leading to at least three deaths and many injured, is like threading a needle in a tornado. We find ourselves embroiled in a global battle between fear, with its many insidious tentacles, and love-- generous, accepting and without regard to difference. The outcome of this rally and its horrific exhibition of hate, rage, violence and overt ignorance, while chilling to the bone, should not surprise any rational person. This is a continuation of the human story, one of separation, domination, control and fear! This battle knows no geographical boundaries, for its upheaval ravages our planet, from the war-torn middle east to the west coast of Africa, from Paris to Newtown, Nice to Tucson and yes, most recently, the quaint historic town of Charlottesville, VA. One might ask, “When will this insanity stop?” The answer lies within each of us, as does the cause. Let me explain.

Fear prevents love, in that both cannot live in the same space. As a human being, I know all too well my own fears, their manifestations and the inherent limitations. When I am fearful, I am trying to protect myself in some way, thus arming my beliefs behind ‘just cause,’ or anticipating a future outcome that probably will not occur in the first place. This same dynamic infiltrates each of us when we categorically align with like-minded others who, by the very definition, exclude those of different opinions, religions, colors, prejudices, and/or ways of living. We see this limiting enterprise overtly and covertly, from the cable news outlets of Fox News on the right and MSNBC, on the left, but more surreptitiously with those who claim to be good Christians, but fail to turn the other cheek on those of different religions, sexual orientations and cultures. We wear our beliefs as badges of honor, yet they are anything but honorable when structured in fear.

Fear is a choice, whether consciously chosen or unconsciously acted upon. Our conscious choices are, at times, overshadowed by the unconscious web of past experiences and the tethered emotions that play out as we move through our lives. Gaining awareness requires several factors, most important of which is being open to the possibility of our own blind and automated behaviors. Ask yourself, “Why am I acting this way?” “What’s behind these intense feelings of rage, anger, frustration, impatience and/or hurt?” “What do I know about this person, situation and/or event?” These questions, while only a short list, beg us to wake up, take pause and ask why. Unfortunately, fear is the outcome of ignorance, self-justification and a false sense of security, rationalized by the need to protect that which is ours and not yours. This separate and not equal mentality fuels hate, bigotry and hurt, certainly to those who receive its barbed attacks, but even more hurtful to oneself.

Before you choose your actions based on fear, take a breath to realize that there are other options available to you. Liberation of the soul demands shifting from fear-based thoughts to the freedom and ease of choosing love, compassion and understanding as opposed to fear. Don’t let your limitations dictate your reality, for there is always a path with better lighting, one that lifts you and others up.

Take the love plunge! When you realize that you have the power of choice, exercise it. Try it on as a new suit of clothes. Think about it—are we so different from our brothers and sisters who have different skin colors or worship a different iteration of God? As human beings we all bleed blood. We all experience emotions of anger, frustration, impatience, and fear. And we all need the same oxygen to live, food to thrive and love to settle our souls.

Find the common thread between others, that point where some degree of agreement can occur. In truth there is no separation between human beings other than what has been created as a false flag of difference. Muslim parents love their children just as Christians and Jews do. All of us mourn the death of a loved one or celebrate in the birth of a child. These experiences are common to all human beings, just as forgiveness, compassion and empathy are when lifting others up. Energetically, we operate as super-conductive electromagnetic miracles, in that our essence is energy and spirit. We simply forget this truth. When we shift from fear to love, we elevate our energetic field, an invisible force that permeates others in the collective. Do not underestimate your innate power, particularly when being presented with an opportunity to become aware. Make a choice and shift your behaviors toward love.

There are daily reminders in each of our lives, individually and collectively, that we have limitless opportunities to choose differently. When the tug of negativity sweeps through you, be aware, pause and breathe into the choice that is presented. Practice shifting and flexing your belief systems enough to allow another person’s point of view. You do not have to agree with someone to be open to receiving them.

The recent events in Charlottesville, VA demand introspection and self-assessment. We all contribute to the horror of this and other acts of hatred when we remain complacent, apathetic and place blame on one side or the other. You and I can make a difference by quelling the internal fires that rage in each of us. After all, it is an inside job.

Choose love over fear!