The Rise of an Anti Racist Society
Since the brutal killing of George Floyd on May 25th 2020 which ignited a wave of national and then global protest, a wave that is leading to changes in symbols of racism. Sadly, we know that this is one of many murders that have happened to people of colour. Many white people woke up on hearing/seeing this shocking news and have been motivated into action to protest their outrage and shame toward the racist society that we live in. Some of us were outraged but like me did not understand or realise the widespread historic problem and legacy of our systemically racist society and with that our own, my own perhaps unconscious (but damaging) contribution to racism. Within my own therapeutic community George Floyd’s murder raised questions, we questioned each other and ourselves. Are we, am I contributing unconsciously to racism?
One of my fellow therapists Charmaine McCaulay has created a workshop called Racism in Real Time of which I have attended and gained a vast amount of awareness and insight into my own subtle and ignorant beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that have contributed to racism. The journey to become an anti-racist has become a lifetime commitment.
Our Lovely Bodies
There are very few people that I have met male or female who are unaffected by a negative view of some part of their body. It is a sad fact that the majority of us will suffer in some way because of the pressure from society and social media especially to look or be a certain way. Not only do we have a lack of black or brown bodies on our televisions or on magazines etc but also a lack of examples of body diversity. What are we being told here? What messages are being conveyed? and What are we and our children believing is real and the norm from this? Before reading Fat is a Feminist Issue by Susie Orbach I realised just how much my own attitude towards my own body and image has been impinged negatively upon by an external expectation of what health looks like, what is attractive and what is not. There are societies and organisations who are trying to fight this nonsense and bring us back to loving who we are and how we look. Haes Community and Endangered Bodies
Healing Trauma & Addiction with Dr Gabor Mate
Gabor Mate is well known for his expertise on a range of topics including addiction, stress and childhood development. His books, online videos and courses are well worth stepping into. His insights and understanding of trauma and child development have impacted my own way of working on myself and with my clients. Click on the above link for his official website and video synopses of his course.
Coming Back to Reality
Becoming yourself through meditation
Some of us are seeking some calm in our life but recognise that we first of all need to experience this from the inside. Meditation is a lifelong process there is no such thing as a professional meditator. We all need to ‘practice’ meditation no matter how long we have been doing it. Here are some links that may be useful to start with your own practice.