It's OK to Think for Yourself!

I have been caught into a number of conversations lately that have all had a central theme - how do we respond to an individual in a position of authority when we disagree with them?  This is a subject many don't want to touch.  Sometimes it's fear that what they say will make it back to said person.  Other times it's because they are afraid of making a choice.  I'm sure there are other reasons as well, after all, there as many reasons as there are individuals.  But the point is, should we be afraid to disagree?

Before moving forward, we must all learn a simple fact. NO ONE IS PERFECT. We are all human, therefore we can't be.  The problem arises when a person who is in a position of authority over a group begins to act as though they can not be wrong.  Ever.  It seems that the most common causes for this would be the person either has let the power go to their head or over time they reached a point where they no longer behave as they did when attaining a position of power.  In the end, it doesn't matter what the cause is.  What matters is that we recognize when this occurs instead of simply blindly following someone.

Blind faith is never good. It can lead to all kinds of ethical issues and, in the end, karmic ones as well. It won't do any good to one day cry "It's not my fault!  I was just doing what I was told!"  You made the choice to follow those directives.  You were not forced.  A sad situation I have seen is one in which a person of authority brings people in and slowly gets them so tied in to their group that by the time certain information is shared, the individuals have either given up their own will or feel they are so deep in they have no choice but to continue on.  We ALWAYS have a choice.

I have seen this happen.  I felt the need to cry for those left behind.  I was saddened by the knowledge I gained that so drastically went against all I had ever believed.  It even went against what the person had taught. Apparently, they felt that you could go against all these things once you reached a certain point in training.  I feel that no matter what, there are some lines you do not cross.  Especially as a person who is held up as a respected individual in a community.  Honestly, there was information I learned that left me feeling deeply betrayed.  Then, with my eyes newly opened,  I started really looking around...

I saw a bad situation.  I saw veiled manipulation.  I saw control.  I saw a strong implication that without this person, we were helpless and had to depend on them completely.  I saw secrets.  I saw misdirection.  I saw flat-out lying.  I saw things that went against all my deepest ethical beliefs. I saw a situation that I had to leave.  Fortunately for me, the Gods agreed.  I felt as if they had simply been laying little clues for me so i could figure it out. And then they waited.  As soon as I figured out what was going on and decided I needed to leave, my path was made clear.  Each step I took zoomed me several forward.  Things kept falling into place.  It was true amazing how it all worked out.

Where has this lead me?  In a very good place!  I knew where I was meant to end up.  I just didn't know the exact place I would be when it happened.  Finding the courage to walk away moved me to my destination years quicker than my old path would have.  The puzzle pieces of my life all fit together smoothly.  All is continuing to work out exactly as I had always wanted and far better than it would have before.  Yes, I do miss parts of my old life.  For a time, I missed friends. Then one day, i realized that hardly anyone from my old life had even spoken to me.  My leaving was missed only when they wanted something done I used to do.  Not a single "Happy birthday", or phones call, facebook message, or even kind words at Wal-mart.  I no longer existed to nearly all of them.  The few who really were my friend left at the same time.  We discovered many of these truths at the same time. It's as though we were meant to stick together.  Or so it seems the way it all played out.

In the end, walking away was the bravest and smartest thing I have ever done.  It was also the hardest.  To leave a place that we are familiar with,one which we have invested so much time, energy and possibly money is incredibly difficult and quite often painful.  It's ok to cry.  It' ok to miss people for a while.  It's ok to long for the world that was so much a part of your life.  We have to remember, all happens for a reason. Think on that time and what you learned.  I guarantee, you learned something.  Probably something greatly important.  Sit down and get your closure.  Otherwise, it will continue to stress you out.  At this point you have to remember, your new life can't fully happen until you let go of your old one.   Once you do, look out!  Life will happen quickly.  Think of it like a box.  You can't fill it full of new things until you dump out the old junk.

Go ahead.  Look deeper at that part of your life that a part of your mind keeps telling you isnt quite right.  It could be something small, or something huge.  Your intuition is talking to you for a reason.  If it's telling you to walk away from something, it's time to listen.  After all, how many clues do you really have to have?  Listen.  Hear what that voice is telling you.  Understand.  Accept.  Do what you know you need to do.  Then look up at the sky and smile.  You are on your way to the new life you deserve!

Voices of the Sacred Feminine - a Book to Change Our World

By now you may have noticed I am picky on what books I review.  I only accept requests on books that I have taken a close look at and feel are of great quality.  There are so many in print that are either pointless or can actually do harm that I feel if a book is going to be brought to people's attention, it better deserve it! This is a book I was asked to review.  I had high hopes for it when I first heard of it.  This is one request I can honestly say i am so glad appeared in my inbox.

We are in a time that knowledge of the Goddess in her many forms and her stories are becoming more and more visible.  This is a movement that brings relief to these of us who have spent decades or, as in my case, a lifetime waiting with baited breath for it to happen.  I admit to a strong leaning towards books of this nature.  Voices of the Sacred Feminine is one of the best of these new offerings I have come across in recent years. It is divided into five sections: I - Sacred Feminine. Deity, Archetype and Ideal. II -  Embracing the Sacred Feminine. Ritual and Healing. III -  Sacred Feminine Values – Alternatives to Patriarchy. Politics and Social Change. IV - Rebirthing the Sacred Feminine. Sacred Activism. V -  In Memory of Layne Redmond.  Each contains a collection of fascinating essays.

The greatest gift contained within this book is not only that it is nearly overflowing with wisdom from scholars all over the world from many different perspectives, but that it has such a variety of knowledge that anyone can find something of benefit.  A lifelong scholar can find updated information.  A newcomer will discover many different perspectives and facets of the Goddess.  Even someone who has never really thought about it, such as the spouse or loved one of a person who follows the Divine Feminine, can find so much knowledge that will help them better understand the path of someone important in their life.

This is a book to both sit and read through and save for later to refer back time and time again.  I can't recommend it highly enough.  Not only is Voices an important volume for pagans of any branch, but also for students of world religion, our children, and anyone interested in interfaith relationships with a pagan and/or Goddess worshiper.  This is a book about goddesses, pagan culture, and the hope for a future of gender equality. Read this for your mothers, your wives, your daughters and yourself. You won't regret a moment of it.

http://www.changemakers-books.com/books/voices-sacred-feminine-conversations-reshape-our-world