*** The first three books in my six-part dystopian series have officially made their way out into the world! Check them out!
For the sake of blogging, self-exploration, and contemplation, I’ve been slowly making my way through answering questions from this list
Today’s Question: What did you learn recently that changed the way you live?
The current political situation in the US has really opened my eyes as to the shockingly large amount of people who are mystifyingly hateful.
From my teens into my mid-twenties, I actively practiced Wicca. As an adult in my thirties I’ve not practiced any type of ‘religion’, but I do consider myself somewhat of a spiritual person. I’ve written a lot about my belief in karma in my personal blogs, but one of the main “teachings” of Wicca is “If it harms none, do what you will.” Forget Wicca. Forget religion, or spirituality, or anything else. Let’s just start with human decency. “If it harms none, do what you will.”
I’ve interpreted that as live your life as authentically as possible, but please respect the rights of others to do the same. If you don’t agree with gay marriage, for WHATEVER reason, you don’t have to get gay married. It’s as simple as that. If you believe that abortion is murder, you don’t have to have one, but not everyone shares your viewpoint, and you are in no one’s shoes but your own. It’s not your place to judge the right for other woman to make her own choices when it comes to pregnancy.
Seeing the amount of divisiveness and hatred and judgement on such a large scale, perpetuated by what is, in my opinion, a very dangerous political shift lead by Potential Hitler 2.0, I’m that much more self-aware of every word I say to others, and every choice I make that could potentially effect the people around me. It hasn’t exactly changed the way that I lived because I’d already adopted the philosophy, “If it harms none, do what you will”, but it has made me that much more self-aware of WHY it’s so damned important to be true to yourself, and to allow others to do the same. To support others and not bring them down. To be inclusive, accepting, welcoming, a positive force in a greater world that is currently encouraging negativity. I don’t know that I’ll ever have a chance to change history for the better like some individuals have, but I can make sure that the people around me, the people in my life, feel accepted, lifted up, and supported by me. The political situation that surrounds us is highly negative, but that makes me that much more determined to be positive toward others. Even when it’s hard. Even when it’s someone that I disagree with. Even when it’s someone saying hateful things to ME. I’m not perfect at this yet, but I’m really putting forth the effort to be the change that I want to see in the world. (Gandhi has it right.)
Kell Frillman - Author 