Growing up, as a child of the 60's, peace, love and harmony were the words being chanted by the hippies, flower children and all who questioned authority and were against the Vietnam War. I remember thinking how I couldn't wait to grow up. I knew in my young mind it was only a matter of time before these youthful rebels would age and mature and eventually be able to take their place in the world of politics and public opinion. With it, they would be able to change all the things they saw wrong with the "establishment" from a place of power and influence and not from the streets.
I recall my excitement, thinking what a wonderful world it will be,
knowing that these brave crusaders were blazing a trail before me,
their radical new views and opinions becoming a reality. And at that
young age, I recognized I would be the first generation to reap the
benefits of their efforts. I felt blessed to be born in such a
historic time.
Wow, was I wrong.
Often I ask myself, where have all the flower children gone? Where are
the young men and women who fought for life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness? Where are the people who burned flags, bras and draft
cards; who marched on college campuses and on Washington DC so their
voices could be heard? I find it hard to believe the thoughts and
values they fought so valiantly for have disappeared and are only a
fond memory of a golden age gone by.
Over the past few months, this point has become painfully obvious. As
I work with clients and talk with friends I hear the sound of
hopelessness in their voices. They watch as gas and food prices soar.
They gaze in disbelief as senseless violence escalates. They stand by
helplessly as their jobs are moved overseas and their personal freedoms
are taken away one-by-one. In the end, they are left feeling impotent
because they are unable to control the path their lives are taking and
feel powerless to change it.
It's interesting, because on an individual basis, all we want is to be
happy, healthy and live our lives in integrity. We want to know that
we will have a job to go to on Monday. We want to be able to feed our
children, breath the air around us, drink the water and step outside
our homes. Instead we have become increasingly alienated by the harsh
reality of our world, a reality which creates conflicts between how
things are and how we would like them to be. Thus we end up feeling
dissatisfied and give up all hope of a better, simpler life.
Hopelessness is a hard emotion to experience; one we have embraced at
some point in our lives. It seems to happen just before we hit rock
bottom, when we can't see the light at the end of the tunnel or when
life seems futile and we just want to give up. It is a natural part of
the human condition.
Over the last six months, the feeling of hopelessness has become
overwhelming for many of us. Every time we turn around there's a
crisis. Someone we love dies, we loose our job or our child falls
ill. After the situation we are facing is handled, it isn't long
before another challenge steps into our lives and once more the drama
begins anew. With this unrelenting pressure, we are left feeling tired
and disillusioned - transforming the most optimistic person into a
pessimist.
Today, the pressures being experienced are not only coming from our
personal lives but also from a much larger community - the world of big
business and the political arena. As we watch what is going on in the
world we may think "What can I do to change or affect what is going
on?" Unfortunately, in our state of hopelessness, the answer we
receive is "nothing".
Because we believe our lone voice will never be heard, we end up
conceding to the futility of fighting the establishment. And in our
sea of inner disquiet we realize that we are being coerced into
accepting a system which does not support us and the greater good of
society. It is from this perspective that we surrender our power and
feel we are unable to bring about change.
It is said, that it is always the darkest before the dawn. For many of
us, the truth is we cannot even see the light at the end of the
tunnel. We are living in the midst of darkness, hoping and praying for
even the faintest glimmer of light to emerge. And so while this period
in human history may not be fun, there are many blessings that will
come from it.
The good news is hopelessness causes us to go within. It forces us to
reflect and evaluate our lives. It provides us the opportunity to
uncover steps necessary to alter our life course. As a result, we find
a strength which helps to build our inner resolve and restore our faith.
We also have to realize that we are not alone. There are countless
millions who are feeling trapped, hopeless and at the end of their
rope. What the "Powers-That-Be" don't realize is that it is only a
matter of time before they push us far enough into a corner that we
will have no choice but to take a stand. When that happens, it wonÇt
matter what they say or want us to do. When we determine enough is
enough the strength of our unity as a whole will make a difference and
a change will begin on all levels.
So for all of us, the sick, the tired, the forlorn, remember: It's just
a matter of time. Things can't keep going the way they are. Change is
inevitable. So whether today, tomorrow or next year, we must let the
light shine into our darkened tunnels to lift the veil of hopelessness
and despair. With this newfound sense of hope, we will be able to walk
peacefully through the darkest of night. We will find through our
renewed courage, fortitude and sense of self that we will be able to
create a world of change.
© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2005. All rights reserved.
Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. is the author of the
books "Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4" and "The Power Within". It is her
unique gift as a medical intuitive and clairvoyant that illuminates and
enlivens her work. Let Dr. Louise help you bring health healing and
wholeness back into your life. Her unique insights bridge the worlds
of science, spirit and culture and are changing the way the world views
physical, mental and emotional health. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com
or call 972-475-3393 for more information. |
