Blog 256 – 03.23.2016

Shadows are an interesting topic. Often small children are afraid of their own shadow but I submit to you that as a child of the Universe you cast a much larger shadow than you realize and that much of what you are afraid of even as an adult is merely your own shadow.

Did you ever stand at night under a street light and marvel at what a giant shadow you cast down the street? You are bigger, better, and way more important than you realize. I quoted a Native American woman recently who said that each of us needs to realize that we are so beautiful that all waters reflect our image.

I know it is popular to use the excuse for our younger generation not measuring to some standard that they were spoiled and bragged on too much. I, for one, do not buy that. I subscribe to the school of give a child a reputation to live up to, not the school of beat them down to keep them humble and submissive. Respect and self worth are not beaten into anyone. Real respect is earned and self worth is a spark that must be fanned and nurtured. Sadly many of us could name on one hand the people who made us feel worthwhile as children.

I do not judge those other people or think them “evil” but ignorant. They did not know better. They like some of us were raised by people who were taught and believed things like, “spare the rod and spoil the child” and “It is natural for children to think foolish thoughts but the rod will drive them far from them.” Violence against children, women, and weaker people is perpetuated ignorantly by people who ignore the continuing detrimental effects of violence. The shadow of violence casts a long shadow across the family of man. War is the not so grown up belief that might makes right or that we can force others to do it our way.

The First Intention For A Better World says, “I refrain from opposing or harming anyone. I allow others to have their own experiences. I see life in all things and honor it as if it were my own. I support life.” I do not support ignorance nor violence.

Back to our street light shadow exercise. If you played with your shadow in the street light you discovered that when you were directly under the light your shadow disappeared. Light always dispels darkness and shadows. When we choose to ignore what the light shows us or do not stay under the light we see the shadows grow longer and as the light moves on or we away from it we will find ourselves believing our darkness is light. Pretty heavy, Encouraging Word Dude, once known as The White Shadow, Shadow, then Shad.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White