“Get into the box!”

Have you ever felt like you were being shoved into a box, metaphorically of course (or at least I hope it’s metaphorical)? Right now there are so many things going on in the world that it can be difficult to keep up. One of the many things I keep my eye on is the use of politically correct language. It seems to me that folks are afraid to say anything. Everything has become so polarized and politicized by the mainstream media and cancel culture, that we are starting to forget how to have a conversation. Saying certain words can get someone thrown into Facebook jail or lectured for an hour about how you might be trying to disrespect someone.

For instance, I recently discovered that using the word “female” is offensive. It’s better to say “person.” I also discovered that everything going wrong in the world lies on the shoulders of white males. Triggers, triggers, triggers. While I understand the sentiment, I think things are going too far.

Is anything ever going to be normal again? Are we ever going to be able to have a conversation without fear? The problem is that once these ideas are radicalized by things like critical race theory and other WOK curriculum, it is extremely difficult to walk that back. It’s almost like Pandora’s Box. Once that box is opened, nothing will ever be the same.

I am a white female, and I don’t feel labeled or categorized by my gender or color. In fact, I feel like others are asking me to feel guilty BECAUSE I’m white. I feel like I am required to apologize to everyone for being born with pale skin. The problem is that I don’t even know where I came from. I don’t know anything about my origins. My mother was adopted. My father’s family is from Europe, but that’s about all I know. They settled in Virginia when they came to the Americas. I don’t know if they owned slaves or not. Why should I have to apologize for the ignorance of an entire generation that I had absolutely no part of? I can say that I am sorry that anyone was bought and sold like livestock. I don’t think that is right at all. It makes me sick. Still, I had nothing to do with that kind of oppression.

The point of this entry is to just reflect on what is happening to our world. I do not see color. I do not see gender. I never have. I see souls. In every single facet of my life I have shouted this from the rooftops. We are entities of light wrapped in skin. We all share the same source. We are all the same. Hate is taught. We aren’t born to hate. Yet, according to many of the WOK doctrine out there I am biased and can fall victim to using microaggressions. Essentially, we’re all hopeless. I think this is an extremely cynical and negative perspective. I am being put into a box and told that I am basically a bigot. I take major issue with that because I pride myself in being open, accepting, and empowering!

Another issue that was recently brought to my attention surrounds religious believes. A friend of mine has been required to take a class on equity. In that class she was asked to share something that made her feel marginalized. She shared that she wore her cross necklace to work. She was asked by administration to remove it because it was offensive. The trainer chastised her because Christians are not marginalized. So, let me get this straight. Because she wanted to wear her cross instead of some other religious symbol and was told to take it off and she shared that in the training, she was demonized in front of the entire learning group? When is enough enough?

As most of you know, I am not a Christian. I am spiritual. With that said, nonetheless, I believe all people should be able to express their religious views, wear religious symbols, and engage in freedom of religion unless they are doing it to hurt people. For example, Jim Jones leading almost 1000 people to an isolated part of the world under the guise of religion isn’t something I support. On the flip side of that coin, someone who wears a shirt saying “Keep Christ in Christmas” shouldn’t be told to take it off and never wear it again. He/she isn’t hurting anyone.

Why can’t we all agree to disagree anymore? Is that too much to ask? What happened to intelligent discourse? As Jimmy Steward said in It’s a Wonderful Life, “Can’t you see what’s happening here?”

Again I ask, how do we put the Jeanie back into the bottle? I am for women’s rights. I am for EVERYONE’S rights, but WOK-ism is causing more harm than good in my view. I’m sure someone will get angry at my “senseless rantings.” I’m still going to speak out as long as I have the right to do it. In fact, if you don’t agree, I’m perfectly fine with that. The differences make us wonderful. Embrace those intricacies and celebrate who you are. Be proud of who you are. Do not allow yourself to be categorized as an oppressor or a victim because none of us belong in a box! NONE OF US!

Spirit Animals: Sheep

“When you’re worried and you can’t sleep just count your blessings instead of sheep.  And you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.”  In case you don’t know where that came from it is a song featured in the movie White Christmas.  Many also associate sheep with people.  For example, I’ve heard people say that “she is a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” meaning that sheep have the appearance of being unthreatening and docile.  Those in the Christian faith equate sheep (a lamb) with Jesus.  He was the sacrificial lamb to save everyone on earth from Hell.  So, it seems that the sheep and its meaning may be very entrenched in our society and our cultures.  If you have a sheep, or even a lamb, pop into your world, what should you know?  What should you do about it?

Remember that the male sheep is a ram.  We’ve already discussed the ram, so it stands to reason we should discuss the female counterpart.

When the sheep comes into your world the creature offers a way for you to retrieve your innocence.  Although many of us don’t want to admit or accept it, we are vulnerable.  That makes us feel weak, but the sheep reminds us that the two emotions are completely misunderstood.  The sheep tells you that there is still a small, innocent child inside of you who needs nurturing.  On the far end of the spectrum, the sheep could also mean that you often conform to societal rules and norms.

The primary symbols of the sheep include sacrifice and nurturing.  They are also synonymous with gentleness.  On a deep spiritual level they represent fertility, spiritual connectedness, magic, power, and sun energy.

In nature, the sheep divide into two groups on their own.  They consist of nursery herds and bachelor herds.  According to All Totems, the nursery herd is made up of ewes and lambs.  The group members cooperate to find places to graze while providing protection to one another.  The bachelor herd, on the other hand, is a group of mature males who are constantly reorganizing the pecking order (All Totems).  They consistently challenge each other’s strengths in contests.  The winner gets to mate with the females.  Both males and females have distinctive bleats and voices.  The females are the best at figuring out the voices of the baby lambs.

A sheep person is usually a very good listener.  They will likely be in the field of counseling or therapy.  They are also wonderful friends because they are so good at listening.  They are supportive people who are usually active in their community.  They take care of people.  They are loyal, and even when things get rough, they can be counted upon.  They don’t have a problem stepping outside of the box to offer care to other people.  They are experts at it.

Back to the tough subject:  vulnerability.  The sheep is there to help you recognize those feelings of vulnerability.  The sheep helps you see that you are overwhelmed with those feelings, and in turn you feel powerless.  By looking inward at the innocence you still have, the vulnerability can be turned into a positive.

The sheep is also a doctor.  They can help balance chakras by encouraging you to take control of your health and wellness.  According to Harris you can use sheep energy to do the following:

• Lessen aches, pains, illness, and disease
• Create deeper happiness, satisfaction, and contentment
• Increase focus, clarity, and productivity
• Renew balance, health, harmony, and well-being

By relying on your sheep, you can revert back to the child inside of you making everything new and wondrous.  When you can look at things with fresh eyes, you may be able to use positivity to your advantage.

It is very possible that a lamb (a baby sheep) may appear to you at first.  As time passes, you may see the lamb grow into a ewe or a ram.  Keep an eye on that because there is a difference between the female and male spirit of the sheep.

As you charge into the new year, perhaps the appearance of a sheep will help you decide that vulnerability doesn’t mean you’re weak.  In fact you should feel empowered.  Children often feel like they can overcome all odds.  That’s the spirit the sheep lends to you!  That’s the spirit you need in order to make changes.  New challenges come with every new year; every new day!  With the sheep as your ally, you can open doors that have been locked, and you can learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible!

References

Dolan, R.E. (Producer), & Curtiz, M.  (Director).  (1954).  White Christmas [Motion picture].  United States:  Paramount Pictures.

Harris, E  (n.d.).  Sheep spirit animal [Blog post].  Spirit Animal.  Retrieved from https://www.wildgratitude.com/?s=sheep

Sheep meaning and symbolism.  (n.d.).  All Totems.  Retrieved from https://alltotems.com/spirit-animals/sheep-meaning-symbolism/