"One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless surrendered." ~ Michael J. Fox
The month of August ends with reflections on human dignity - the grace that dignity offers those who are blessed to know what it is - and the sadness of realizing not everyone does.
Photo by Susan Larison Danz.
"Give the world the gift of YOU. Be yourself." ~ Susan Larison Danz
When I was a young child in the early 70's, I remember a television special (I think it was on television, anyway) with the title Free to Be You and Me. I can't quite remember it, and I think I only saw it once, but the title and overall feeling of whatever this was made such an impression on my young mind and heart that I never forgot how it felt.
I looked it up just now, and I really don't think I ever have. There are all sorts of entries. I vaguely recall music. I do remember Marlo Thomas, smiling.
But most of all, I remember the words: Free to Be You and Me
It was joyful and exuberant, as I recall. It felt like a celebration. It still has much to teach us.
Hat photo by Susan Larison Danz.
"A choice driven by fear is not any kind of choice at all - it is captivity." ~ Susan Larison Danz
We will not arrive anywhere enlightened if we live in a place where it is acceptable to coercively violate personal boundaries. This is a very, very hazardous time on the planet, where such things are trending in this direction, and if they continue to be pursued, it will result in utter chaos. That's what will likely happen. There are many in the spiritual community who will stand up for what is right - and other communities as well. And that will be the right thing to do. Because personal space and privacy must be protected.
There are those who have no respect whatsoever for those on a spiritual path because they don't believe in such things - they snicker and mock, diminish and deride, and have blinders on. There is no respect for personal autonomy and alternative choices. This is not conducive to decisions leading in a positive and respectful direction. It leads exactly where it leads, to a stark and unenlightened future. And very possibly to no future at all.
We have a choice on Planet Earth. And we can do better. Because we must.
Mt. Hood photo by Susan Larison Danz.
"...we are you, and you are us..." ~ Alex Haley, Roots
I have been progressively watching the 1977 mini-series Roots during the month of February - and finished the series yesterday. I DVR'd it when I happened to stumble across it. I've had more than one person tell me that it is so visceral and heartbreaking, they never felt they could watch it again, even many years later.
I felt called to watch. I'm quite certain this is the third time, though the second was also quite long ago.
As for the first, I was in Junior High, and that week didn't only leave a lasting impression on me, but it was a profound nation-wide phenomenon in early 1977. Every night, an unprecedented audience watched, young and old, night after night, for 8 nights. And I never forgot it.
The quote above in the series (actually from the book) was specifically related to the descendants of Kunta Kinte, but even without remembering it, as something similar appears at the end of the 8-night series, I felt it at the beginning. The unwaivering strength and dignity and spirit of Kunta Kinte, who passed on what it actually felt like to be free, and the dream of freedom, and how to never, ever surrender what that is, is an inspiration to all of us. We are him, and he is us. Inseparable.
Flying Free Photo by Susan Larison Danz.
"One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered." ~ Michael J. Fox
I have been reflecting on this fundamental and essential notion of dignity lately. So much of what ails our modern world has to do with assaults on the dignity of other human beings. The worst of human behavior emerges when dignity is no longer respected, and history has very tragically revealed this to us, again and again.
Do we really need to be repeating this cycle yet another time?
We really have no choice this time, except to do better. Otherwise, we may not have that opportunity again.
Reflection photo by Susan Larison Danz.
"Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule." ~ Buddha
While reflecting deeply upon how we need to truly move forward in the way we consciously choose to treat one another, this particular segment from West Side Story, which is highly poignant and direct, kept coming to mind. This movie (and play, but mostly the movie) had a significant impact on me when I was young.
Next, I'd like to share another powerful film clip that is masterful, from Romeo and Juliet, on which West Side Story was based.
Stories such as these carry impact over time because the lessons they share are ever relevant. Yet so often, we don't listen. We need to listen. Every one of us will suffer if we don't.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." ~ Luke 6:31
The Golden Rule, as often "commonly" stated. It may seem so "foundational", it is hardly worth mentioning. Right? Isn't this one of those basic things we were supposed to learn in kindergarten? True?
And yet, there is a reason why it is so fundamental and simple to state. It is easy to forget, to overlook, and without a doubt, universally, everybody gets it wrong, sometimes. It is human to fail, but the key is to make the attempt to do better.
That's why foundational values like these are so very important to express. There's a reason I consider it "foundational". Remove this "brick" from your foundation, intentionally, and that's when things can topple.
I mentioned the Golden Rule last night, and I've been intending all day to write about it. It couldn't be more important to understand at this pivotal time in our history (or any time in our history). It carries every answer, really. And it would be wise to pay attention.
I was going to list all of the ways The Golden Rule appears throughout the world. It exists in an astounding number of cultures and spiritual systems. This Wikipedia page does it far more justice than I can. Sometimes, it is stated in the negative, advising what not to do. But one way or another, it is foundational.
Values like these matter, even when we fail, because this is the bridge to a world based on empathy, freedom and mutual respect. It's a world worth creating.
Summer flowers photo by Susan Larison Danz
