THE THOUGHT FOR TODAY

It was over 25F when I went to bed at 12:45AM and it was 6F when I got up; quite a drop. It is almost three hours later and it is still only 8 degrees. A slow warm-up for this time of year; the sun is shining brightly, it is beautiful outside and it didn't even feel particularly chilly when I did the chores. However, I am eager for Winter to be over.

This does seem to be the Winter of our discontent. We have become so divisive, polarized and discontented. We are wearing our labels more ostentatiously than usual. We don't see how we are locked into pens, and accepting of opinions and ideas, without critical thought. Where do the thoughts and ideas come from that we accept so readily?

We like to be with people who agree us. We like the company, camaraderie and protection of a group. We all like it and I think it is basic to being human. It's great! The problem arises, when we begin to accept concepts, without thinking them through for ourselves. When fear is introduced [and it is often very hidden] we tend to glam onto ideas that we think will protect us- they don't- they make us more vulnerable.

We end up living in pens labelled Liberal, Conservative, Independent, Socialist. Oh, these pens are not just political; some are labeled Doctor, Teacher, Social Worker, Dentist, Scientist. Belonging to a group is great, we all belong to several different kinds. It can be rewarding and enriching.

These pens can resemble prisons; with high walls, blocking out, all thought, from other groups and locking us into one peculiar way of thinking. We can accept a whole array of concepts without question. This has always been a problem in our society, certain professions lock themselves into certain ways of thinking in response to a threat or for self-interest.

Interestingly enough, the herd, in one pen, can see the errors of thinking, of the other pen members, but become deaf and blind to their own errors of thought. The variable of fear is crucial, to how locked in and bull-headed, the members of the pen become.

This has always been part of the human condition; without the introduction of fear, it is not a bad thing. We are born into groups called families and that is great! {Introduce fear and they can become The Hatfields and McCoys.} All through life we accrue to people with similar ideas, wishes and wants. It is comforting. It helps us feel safe in a variable world. We create professions, societies, social groups of all kinds. It is all good.

UNTIL, this natural propensity, we have, is used to manipulate us. We all have egos. Egos are on the alert for fear. They have been sensitized to the fear of being less than their neighbor. This fear has been exploited over and over by those who wish to be in control. There is nothing, the wounded, fearful, ego likes better, than to be self-riotous in respect to some other group.

We cannot 'see', when we allow ourselves, to be herded into pens. All through history this has been the favorite tactic of those who wish to maintain control.

Waking up and 'seeing' is learning to resist being penned up. We need to see for ourselves. We need to understand how much of our thinking is influenced by fear. It may take close examination. Fear can be very subtle and disguised. Our life experience has injected a fear of unworthiness, this fear is universal, we all have struggled with it. Many of us have lived successfully despite it; few have actually expunged it from their being.

Waking up is seeing that everyone is equal, and higher and lower, do not exist. Many of us can say it; however, we must know it. Our real power comes from, not thinking we are better, but knowing we can lift up those who need lifting. WE ARE ALL EQUAL!

Love and Peace, Gregg