SOME THINGS MUST GO FOR OTHER THINGS TO GROW

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Development, evolution and growth are three simultaneous yet unique modes of progress. As we evolve we also explore and learn through the "spirit of discovery." We are exposed to life through experiences. However, many of us fail to realize that what we go through is what we grow through. Self deception and denial are the principle factors that negatively affect positive evolution and "progressive change." Even those of us that preach and teach this principle often flounder when adversity attacks personally. Change is inevitable. No one is exempt from change. In most cases change is not welcomed due to our love for the security of sameness. Mentally we "feel" safe with familiar circumstances. Being comfortable means that we are able to find comfort in someone, some place or some situation that offers soothing and security. Whether we recognize it or not things are changing quickly. These are accelerating times. Regardless of whether we are aware of, or recognize the concepts of, Moore's and Metcalfe's law they are upon us. Nothing and no one develops exclusively in and of itself. The effects of this type of progress are as contagious as a virus! Although most of us will find it difficult to see how a pandemic is related in any way to growth, it most certainly is. There are multiple stages of change, growth and transitions in life. The "seven developmental stages" from existence to solidarity, the "periods of development" from infancy to old age and Erikson's "8 stages of psychosocial development" from trust to integrity are prime examples of this.

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THEY SAY IT'S JUST A STAGE! OUR AGE MAY NOT DEFINE THE STAGE WE'RE IN!

Most of us were taught wrong and therefore we learned wrong. When we learn to beware rather then to "be aware" we learned through the "spirit of fear." We should not fear change. However, we should be somewhat "fearful" of anything that loses relevance or pertinence as we go through the changes of life. Our society embodies an "attitude of success" by embracing the "American dream." This dream is a shared vision passed from one generation to another through the "spirit of hope." The "American dream" encompasses a clean path to victory without creating casualties. It is the story of how self discipline and hard work can produce a change in our personal circumstance and condition. This is success that doesn't come at the expense of others. This is wealth that is not gained through the treachery of slavery or under the wings of oppression. This may not be the "American origin" but it is the "American dream!" We've mistakenly taught and trained ourselves to succeed mainly by conquering or working around others. Now, unfortunately our society shy's away from collaborative engagements through the "spirit of human interaction." Instead we embrace the "spirit of selfishness" and the notion that our achievements are all our own; as if there can actually be such a thing. The saying that "where there's a will there's a way," narrowly defines success. Although success can be achieved in a multitude of ways. Somehow we've succumbed to a "by any means necessary" mentality. The world always has been and now more then ever before is inextricably connected. What happens to any of us, now affects all of us. Our independent individual dreams have coalesced and contributed to a globally prevalent condition of communicable consciousness. We can no longer let our competitive nature's innate desire to win take priority over ethical behavior. We cannot continue our approach as conquerors. There's nothing left to possess or own...its all shared! Our overall prosperity lies in our collaboration and cooperation, not in the brute force of overcoming or working around one another. The "spirit of competition" is a great motivator in sports but has no consideration for ethics. Competition's energy is based upon avoiding or overcoming obstacles. When we allow fellow inhabitants to be seen as obstacles it dehumanizes them and also makes them our adversaries. This is what empowered slavery. As much as we would like to, we can not avoid every obstacle. Climbing over, dealing with and going through difficulties will strengthen us. Avoidance, like denial, is a tactic centered around preventing engagement. The energy that we devote to avoidance strategies often perpetuates a "spirit of fear" to face the unknown. Whether warranted or not, fear flourishes when it is not faced. Most of what we will allow or won't accept in behavior or spirit is learned. When we learn something wrong we face an even greater difficulty unlearning it. Never underestimate the power within the energy of the "spirit of denial." The process of changing becomes much harder when we have to abandon tactics that seemingly assisted us ​in the past, we rely upon presently or intend to utilize in the future. When we learn something incorrectly our perspectives are also incorrectly twisted without us being aware of it. This distorts our reasoning and logic regarding changes we need to make. Why would anyone change what's already working? No one willingly changes something that they believe actually works. Whether we're deceived or ignorant the impact is the same when we deny or resist change. We should be so thankful for the many technological advances that preceded this pandemic. Imagine how many more toll takers, bank tellers, cashiers and public touching people we would be forced to share germs with. In addition the advent of mobile phones allow us to keep our breath & bugs on our own devices. Everything from automatic doors to on line shopping has helped us to mitigate the spread of this virus without most of society even appreciating it or realizing it. Is this is why we're experiencing such a problem in accepting the mental health epidemic this country is in denial of today? It's counterproductive to have the police addressing mental heath issues. Policing clinical conditions is not their job! The police are not trained therapists and its unfair to expect them to act like one. We should not have them attempting to arrest an ailment, detain a sickness, or discipline a disease. 

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FEAR: FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL, FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE!

WE need to be aware that both change and growth are a natural evolutionary processes. Growth is a process of mental, physical and spiritual maturity that occurs simultaneously but not always evenly. Bones and muscles grow together so that they can work cooperatively. But if the muscles are not developed as the bones grow the bodies overall health and performance diminishes. Musculoskeletal system disorders are the leading contributor to disabilities worldwide. Disorders, disabilities, sickness, illness and disease can affect us physiologically, psychologically and spiritually. Neither our good habits nor our traditional thinking readily embraces change. Our "habits of thinking" are a reflection of how we process our experiences in life. Our convictions reinforce all of the beliefs that our egos develop. The ego is generally our biggest obstacle to growth or change. The ego is like the landlord of the psyche, everything goes through it first. Although the ego protects the mind like the rib cage protects our lungs, it has a self centered nature that tends to filter out opposing thoughts. The ego evaluates fresh or new ideas on its own terms and often sentences them to death by silence, suppression or the notion that ignoring them is a better strategy then dealing with them. Sometimes the ego engages with our adrenaline through a fight, freeze or flight verbal response. A "cowardly" ego usually prevents change through the "spirit of silence." Disregarding change fools us into thinking that there is neutral ground in the ​spiritual realm. There is no middle ground for truth. We are compelled both ethically and morally to stand for what is right or fall for what is wrong. The position we take enforces the consciousness that goes along with it. We control the expression of spirit and spirit requires guidance. Without establishing boundaries and limits, spirit operates with it's own purpose and usurps authority it does not have. When we obey truth and commit to righteous behavior regardless of fear or favor we choose obedience over ego. The "spirit of obedience" challenges and defies the ego in that it submits itself to truth without respect of persons. The source or conduit of truth is not important to the non-egoistical "spirit of obedience." The "spirit of obedience" is simply submissive to the command of love rather then the "commander" of love. the "spirit of obedience" does not care about who, it cares about what, its concern is centered in the true facts of what's said rather then who said it.

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HERE'S WHAT TO KEEP AND WHAT TO LEAVE BEHIND.

Once something becomes obsolete it deserves a badge of honor! People do not become obsolete but things and practices do. There's no shame in retiring an object or retiring from a practice. The intent is not to stop doing, the intent is to pass the responsibility on. We are thankful for and cherish the inventions, people and practices that have carried us all along the way. It is appropriate to honor their legacy. Although the horse and buggy no longer provides the most efficient means of transportation we revere its memory and treasure the nostalgia of it. Improvements usually appear as subtle changes in policies, procedures, plans and practices. Sometimes changes are drastic, abrupt and appear to be threatening. Our fear makes false evidence appear as real. The main purpose for change is to benefit by it. If the benefits are selfish or partial in application we have cause to be fearful. Even so, simply being afraid without being involved is just a means of denying or postponing what may become inevitable. To grow, some things must go! It is imperative not to let our stubbornness empower stupidity. We can let go of racism while we grow more food. Which means that we can end world hunger while increasing world unity. Respect for truth must grow; respect of persons must go. Mental health awareness must grow; denial of pandemics must go. Better laws and policies that address our aging population of senior citizens battling against Alzheimer's and dementia must grow; the warehousing of our cherished but most expendable elderly resources must go. Our regard for the environment and the ecology of the planet must grow; polluting the air, land and sea in the name of profit and progress must go. Basic housing for all must grow; and homelessness and poverty must go. We are heralding "progressive change" which differs from simply changing alone. Change can be for better or worse, progressive change is always for the better. Radical change can cause and create a plethora of new problems. Progressive change usually solves problems. The very reason for each of our individual existences is to solve some problem that only we, from our personal perspective can address.