Self Definition

I don't know if it is the weather or what, but lately it seems like there are many people around me that have polished up their badges and have them hanging prominently on their chests. Now before I continue, I must tell you that I have a box of badges myself, stored in the attic. Every once in awhile I will pull one or two out for a pity party, but for the most part I try to keep them put away. My goal? To compost them all. It wasn't always that way, but I am learning.

Just what the heck are you talking about Barb?  Let me tell you.

Every communication we have with another person is an opportunity to share who we are. We exchange energy with this person as well. I went to a vocal workshop given by the amazing Rhiannon. What I learned in those few hours truly impacted me on a deep level. Rhiannon said that our voices have power, and when we sing the energy goes directly into the people who are listening. So we must be very responsible with our songs and our voices. Think about it. We touch another person's inner Soul simply from the power of our voice and song. Wow.

This extends beyond music. How do you feel when someone speaks kindly and softly to you? How do you feel around someone who is loud and obnoxious with their voice? How do you feel when you hear someone shouting or screaming?

Singing and music are not the only things that carry energy from one person to another. What we say also holds energetic power and it can actually define the path we walk in our lifetime.

I think about conversations I have with people. What did I talk about? Was it positive? Did I vent about something? Did I tell a story that I have told a hundred times before? Did I exude inner power, compassion, strength, humour? Or did I paint myself as a victim, telling tales of how this person or that person is taking advantage of me, or hurting me, or using me, or on and on...

If we think about how we project ourselves into the world, we will soon learn that this projection not only defines us to those around us but to ourselves as well. After all, you can't present yourself as a victim unless you think of yourself as a victim. Similarly, you can't reflect true inner power if it isn't really there.

We all have badges in our closets. Victim. Martyr. Judge. We also have some that reflect positive qualities, but few wear those it seems. Maybe they are out of style in these days of blame.

I once heard an Elder say that the greatest gift we have is our Power, the inner strength that keeps us centered in our Spiritual Core. It is that Power we draw from to meet the challenges of life, to help others, to be responsible to ourselves, our families, our communities, our Relations, our Earth home. When we give that Power away or deny it by not taking responsibility for our choices, our lives then become full of drama and stress, anxiety and depression, isolation and loneliness. Living under these conditions dramatically affects our health. Think about the illnesses you have. Are they a result of your life choices such as your diet, lack of exercise, drug/alcohol abuse, self abuse, bad relationships, or staying in situations that aren't good for you? Many of the diseases we see today are totally preventable if we made good choices about the food we eat and the life we live.

I am as guilty as the next here. I have made many choices in my life that resulted in some serious consequences for me, including my health. I take these experiences and learn from them and try to do better. My cholesterol is high, I am overweight, I have way to much stress and anxiety. What can I do about it? Everything. I have changed my diet. I have been going to the Y during my lunch hour every day including once on the weekend since mid-December. My lifelong battle with depression took me down a path of bad health choices that I am still paying for. But I have a choice. I can wear the badge of Victim or I can wear the badge of Healthy. That is the beauty of being human. We get to choose. And our bodies respond. I feel so great right now I could leap into the air! My depression is gone. Exercise took it way. My healthy diet feels good. I see my body and my emotions and my Spirit respond to these healthy choices and it is a positive feedback loop. I feel strong and empowered. How did this change happen? I had enough. I could not tolerate how I felt any longer. No more excuses. It was time to walk the walk. I have many many miles to go, but hey, I walked across the entire State of Michigan before. I can do it.

So the next time we tell a story, let's tell one of hopes and dreams, accomplishments and joys, and put away those old worn out tales of all the times we've been done wrong. If we keep doing things the same way, we will get the same results. Let's redefine ourselves and the way we share who we are with each other. Remember, that which we give energy to we give life to.