Adventure Sister Stacy and I were having a conversation on the phone while she was at the airport. She said, “I have to let you go. I am just about to go through security screening.” Before we hung up, I said. “Be sure to thank the TSA Agent for working for free! Love you, bye!” We hung up, but she called me right back after she got through. Stacy told me she had indeed talked to the Airport Security Guard.
Stacy said. “My friend says to thank you for working for free.”
The Agent said. “Thank you. Thank you, for that recognition.”
Stacy headed toward her gate then decided to give me a call right back to ask me “What that was all about?”
She did not know, that during the government shutdown, almost a million people are not getting paid. Even the people who have the duties of keeping the United State safe like; TSA, Air Traffic Controllers, and the Coast Guard. (And so many more!)
This surprised me because Stacy is very well-traveled, but this was the first she was hearing of this! If she (who travels weekly for work) did not know this was happening, I am sure there are lots of folks who do not know the sad effects of the government shutdown. I get so concerned over this. Which may be why I feel so strongly about sharing my thoughts and views of the situation. As I did, I noticed how passionate I got.
The previous conversation we just had was upbeat and quite ‘normal’ for us. We talked about our plans for the weekend and how well our New Year resolutions were going. We chatted away about how excited we were for our trip to Florida that is coming up quickly. Yet, when she brought up this topic, I could hear my voice get stronger and my words were intensely passionate; as I started throwing out ‘F bombs’ to clearly articulate my dissatisfaction on the matter.
I finally realized that I was not acting in the same way I had been just minutes earlier. It was like a light switch had been dimmed and I was sucking all the joy out of the air. I know life is not always joyous, but I am glad I recognized this effect on the energy I was sharing, and I calmed down. Yet, my compassion for those who are suffering was clear.
As a massage therapist and energy worker, I understand that words and actions have more power then we care to take responsibility for. I have spent a great deal of time working on myself, to be the change I wish to see in the world, by doing my best to be the light. I do this by staying positive, looking for the bright side of situations, and doing my best to be kind and compassionate. This is the me I do my best to be every day.
Still, I find myself acting in the exact opposite way when I get riled up about things I care deeply about. I do my best not to belittle or insult others in a debate about the state of our Union or the environment. Yet, I will not sit back, be silent and just go with the flow. I don’t like where the flow is going in our Country, our communities or even how our friends and families have become so divided over these situations.
I have spent years reading and learning about our environment, soil health, water health, food health, and the pollution levels around our Country. I feel it has helped shape who I am. After all, the things you are passionate about are not always just hobbies. Your passions just may be your calling; the reason your soul is put on this planet in the meat suit you wear. Your passions are intertwined with emotions that form what you feel connected to. It is easy to see why we may get riled up or “excessively expressive” when discussing them.
I wasn’t always interested in Politics, but I have learned that I must get interested and involved to be able to affect the protection of our environment and our communities. It was never a dream of mine to put myself ‘out there’ as a politician. I want to be an author who writes… at home, holed up like my inner Hermit prefers. Yet the interests I have been drawn to are the passions I cannot ignore. They have led me to a Political path as if by magic.
However, I find political action uncomfortable some days when I realize how it tends to pull out just how much duality I truly embody. As nice as I can be, I can be exactly the opposite. As sincerely complimentary, kind, happy and compassionate as I can be… I can also be as guarded, skeptical, angry and stubborn in standing firm to protect my integrity. This is our reality and I refuse to stick my head in the sand pretending life is perfect and discord does not exist.
I think to myself. “If ordinary folks like you and me don’t work to change it for the better… who will?”
Then there are days when I also think. “Who am I, to think I can change anything, anyway?!”
I believe we were created to have these opposing characteristics for this exact reason. To protect what we love. To defend our truth and be able to protect ourselves from others, who may not be acting with integrity for the greater good. I can be as different as the sun and moon or night and day and sometimes that is confusing to myself and others.
I know, you know, what I am talking about. Light and dark, Yin and Yang all reside in us for a purpose. There are many ways we can go about this, but I try to do it in a kind way. Yet, as nature created me to be, I am whole because I have both light and dark inside. It’s up to us to determine how much of each we use in our lives and how we use it.
Remember (dark/night/moon) doesn’t necessarily mean bad! It is a way to see things in a different light. It’s no different than when you go through a ‘bad’ experience and come out of it changed. We need this duality to grow. After the dark winter comes the growth of spring. I have learned not to fight my dark side but embrace the opportunity it gives me to grow. I feel I am growing now after this one conversation with my friend Stacy.
I told her about how the government shut down is affecting many lives. It disturbs me how many people have no idea that there are wonderful humans at airports and other public safety personnel, working for free to keep Americans safe. Regular folks like you and I, are making sacrifices, enduring emotional and devastating financial effects, going without lifesaving medications for a reason that they have no control over. All for a wall, that won’t stop boats, ladders, tunnels or airplanes.
Even if we don’t see it, the reality is, lots of good people are hurting and I have a very strong opinion about that. I had to make sure my friend was aware of this reality. Stacy likes to stay away from conversations of politics and I don’t blame her! I know lots of my friends and family who feel the same. I am just thankful she let me share my strong feelings with her, even when it is not a positive conversation. I feel better thinking I am spreading awareness in hopes of facilitating change for the better.
To be honest, some days I think of walking away, from Politics too, for my own peace of mind. Yet, although I prefer peace, for some reason I have been created to square up and be willing to face conflict head-on. Maybe I was a warrior in another life? I don’t know why I am this way. I just am. No different than a mama bear really.
What I do know is that the Universe/God/Creator gave us these gifts of duality and we should not be afraid of them.
I say embrace your duality with open arms. We should not be afraid of the darkness if we are doing what we can, to be the light.
With love,
Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister
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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister
Emy Minzel 