If somebody asked me to write one word that would have all the elements of a magic keyword, the kind that has the power to transform, heal, clean, ultimately erase a lot of the nonsense that we humans engage in. Save time, enhance contentment and productivity, avoid pain, a keyword with so much power that if applied, would change the world…what would I say? I would probably say there is one word that comes to mind first. Acknowledgement.
Yes, a keyword with the ability to open the door to collective sanity. To self responsibility. Think about it. The worst mistakes in history were made because somebody didn’t acknowledge something or somebody else. The worst relationship disasters causing generations to repeat the same destructive patterns, causing endless pain, happen because somebody didn’t acknowledge somebody else or something.
Conflicts would transform into blissful feelings of empathy, almost instantly dissolving the tension, if one person takes the initiative to acknowledge his or her part in the equation. Ultimately acknowledging his or herself.
I know that the worst source of pain for me over the years was always rooted in some kind of perception that I was being erased. It was the lack of acknowledgement that hurt the most. It’s like you are looked at with the eyes of a very acute astigmatism without glasses.
It’s not like you need people to agree with you all the time or apologize or even empathize. Nor to judge your actions. Just to acknowledge you. No matter how bad a situation may look, you know deep down why you are doing it. It’s a matter of starting the conversation with your soul. Accepting your humanity.
You see, acknowledgement doesn’t carry emotion, “it is what it is. “Acknowledgement means embracing what it is. And what it is what we are. And what we are we have to honor. And to honor who we are we need to acknowledge the errors too.
Now, this doesn’t mean you have to flagellate or bend yourself to avoid being hang by the pole at the major square. Because you made a mistake. Not. You are human, remember? Your nature is to commit errors. There is perfection to be read in your errors though…did you know it? but that’s another story. A great start is to just begin to acknowledge them. As sources of information that can show the light underneath the ashes. The agents of change.
Why ? Because your errors represent the human part of you, and not seeing them makes you a lacking and bizarre silhouette of yourself, seen through eyes with a very acute astigmatism without glasses. My parents’ generation was not very good at acknowledging their actions and its consequences. They didn’t have enough information about human nature and its behaviors. Nor they had notion of powerful thoughts and different ways.
We have the gift of their experience and the information at our disposal to question and reinvent what needs to be reinvented. Starting with the stage of our lives. As it is. It’s a great privilege. Acknowledgement is a useful short cut.
Besides, when we acknowledge ourselves and accept who we are, people will acknowledge us completely. Acknowledge your soul, it will guide you to acknowledge every thing else, and best of all, you will be acknowledged wherever you go.
Visuals are very powerful. Enjoy this masterful performance by Jerome Murat, acknowledging his soul.It will stay in your retina as a reminder of the bridge to your soul from your humanity.
Luz
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May 8th, 2008 at 7:00 am
Acknowledgement is a very powerful tool, in anyone’s toolbox. In fact, it is almost necessary in order to function in life. But what really takes the cake is owning the responsibility. If you can look at your life–and it’s riddled with mistakes, of course!–and say “Yeah, I did those things. I did do some things wrong and I have to OWN those mistakes…” Then not only have you acknowledged yourself and others, but you’ve also freed yourself of the chains that bind you to guilt. I’ve seen so many people suffer for so long because of that ugly companion–guilt.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Exactly, self responsibility the beauty of self responsibility is that it takes blame out of the equation and as a domino effect neutralizes guilt. There is no use for guilt without blame. It’s almost like a mathematic formula. I love the connection between metaphysics and mathematics. And blame was invented to prevent us from owning the responsibility.Like a vicious circle.
Guilt, the useless commodity.
Thanks Jenny, it was great spending time with you guys and the kids.