by Tara Joyce | Oct 11, 2016 | Cultural Creativity
We see people and things not as they are, but as we are. How aware we are informs what we see—and how we see it.
Ubuntu – I am because you are.
People who don’t seem to get it are seemingly everywhere. We find them in our families, at work, and in all areas of our public and private lives; and it can be painful and frustrating to watch them behave so unconsciously. Even though we know true separation from them is an illusion, it’s not hard to find ourselves feeling intolerant of them, wishing we could be free of them.
Yet, they are a part of our world. We can not avoid them. We will deal with them—whether we want to or not, and whether we can understand them or not. The people who don’t get it may not be able to see what we can see, yet their vision is essential. They, like us, are in their own process of awakening. The light we each shine has a major purpose, to make the darkness more apparent.
As we shed light on what they cannot yet see, they too shed light on the unconscious places within us. What triggers us about their ways of being are places for us to explore. Through making the unconscious conscious, we see ourselves more clearly. Holding them in the light of our own energy, we do our part to awaken their light—and our own.
photo credit: Thomas Leuthard
by Tara Joyce | Dec 14, 2012 | Self/Business Growth
I’ve been thinking a lot lately on what it means to grow up. Perhaps this is because I am now in my early 30’s, and I feel this is a time in my life where I am learning to let go of childish behaviors, while still maintaining my childlike wonder.
This is my theory on what growing up is all about – learning to love, manage and keep your stuff in your box.
For me growing up is about learning to care for and love your box (your Self) and all the crazy beautiful stuff you find inside of it. It’s also about learning that you do not need, nor want, to take on other people’s stuff and put it into your box. That’s their stuff to care for and your box is already full with your stuff. Your box is enough.
Equally being responsible for your stuff also means learning to not take your stuff and try and put it into another person’s box. It is not theirs to deal with.
I see the beauty of growing up is in understanding that each of us is wholly responsible for our box and what we do with the stuff inside it. Love it, hate it, ignore it, it’s your choice and your responsibility.
To truly grow up is to learn to stand shoulder to shoulder in acceptance with another box and stay true to your own journey with your stuff while being supportive of theirs.
photo credit: Steven Snodgrass
