Waking Up!

I woke up last night from a nightmare. Heart pounding. Sweat pouring out of every gland possible.

I haven't dreamed of 'monsters' in many years. Not since I was a kid. I think that there is so much in this world that I see as a living nightmare I don't need to go there at night too.

What scared me most in this dream was that I had partially created the monster. I had a part in making it because I was not standing up for myself. That shocked me. I am a strong advocate for my child, my family, my clients, my friends, and for those that have no voice in the workplace. I have worked on using my voice for many years. I thought I was really doing well. But I realized last night in my dream, that part of me is still hiding!

You may think this is no big deal. How on earth could that thought be frightening? A little annoying perhaps, but it certainly doesn't make for monster madness.

The thing is, as women, we are conditioned to not speak out. We are taught to take care of other's needs at our own expense. It' part of 'being a woman.' It's 'not nice' to be selfish or take care of your own needs first. But yet common sense says this isn't so. They tell you in the first few minutes before take off to make sure to put on your air mask first if travelling with others that need help in an airplane. Otherwise in an emergency you can't help anyone else.I know that is true. We simply can't help others if we aren't taking care of ourselves. We'll burn out.

And I know that part of silencing people and keeping the nightmare continuing, whether via politics or other institutions, is telling people they don't matter.

Convincing people that they can't or don't make a difference and that they 'should not speak out' is an easy way to keep control of the masses. Whether fear is used or shame, it all adds up to people not doing what they can to stop a monster.

However, helping to create a monster, whether by direct contribution, or by ommission of your voice, is still helping to allow a monster to continue. No matter whether you see the Earth's environmental plight, our community loss of connections, abuses of children, women or animals, unneccessary wars, or just the religion of uncontrolled consumption as your personal nightmare... I'd like you to think how you can use your voice to stop the monster from gaining power. We can all do something.

Some basic ideas:
Don't buy products that use slave labour. Boycott companies that are abusing the environment. Turn off the lights and use less power and water in your home. Write a letter to your local MP about animal abuse. Talk to your friends and neighbors about whatever cause you find most engaging. You can even start your own group or join one that is working in an area you want to make a difference in.

Your voice and action can be small or large - but let your voice be heard!

You matter!

You make a difference.

As a PS -

Don't feel you have to change the whole world and do it all! That's an easy road to feeling overwhelmed.
Do what you can for your own community and let others handle other areas.

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As a closing note....
here's a version of one of my favorite poems on the need to speak up for ourselves and others when we see that things are not right....

This is Martin Niemoeller's Poem about the rise of Nazi power...
and the German Intellectuals inability to stand up for anyone before it was too late.

When the Nazis came first for the sick - the so-called incurables -
I didn't speak up because I wasn't mentally ill.

When they came for the Communists
I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

When they came for the Trade Unionists
I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Trade Unionist.

When they came for the Jews
I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for the Catholics
I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Catholic.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak up.