New Beginnings

Well, we are 12 days from New Year's Eve... a time, for some or many, to reflect and look ahead. I am continuously reminded of the wonderful diversity of our world... that the New Year is different around the world... in China, Israel and the world over... different calendars but somehow we presently share in December 31 as some common point... at least, to a degree... but I digress. :-)

I am Baha'i. Part of that, for me, is this core need to recognize the importance of, and need to strive for, unity.... not the unity of appearance.. but real, authentic unity... the kind that is based on the understanding that our differences actually make us stronger.

In looking back on my old, archived blogs... see Blog City in the linked resources... I am reminded of what Wholiness was and is to be about... unity. This blog is intended to share my thoughts on unity in ourselves and amongst each other. It is about wholeness, wholiness. It is about challenging the "myth" that our lives are some composite of different "areas", and that, somehow, we need be different in each. I am not denying that there is a time and place for certain behaviours, but our character needs to remain whole and authentic.

I have paraphrased the Buddha before in saying that our lives need to be a reflection of who we are and that it should be hard for others to differentiate when we are playing or working, learning or having fun. I believe this, at my core. We live lives of "silos" at work, at home, and in our communities... guarding our persona at each place, often not wanting to show certain "sides". I contend that we have no "sides". We have who we are, and that, with some need for discretion, we need to be who we are, where we are.

A friend of mine, Harry Tucker, recently wrote in his blog (see my links)that we seem to be living in a time where appearances are more important than results. I certainly agree that that is what we are shown. I do believe that there are stories out there of authentic success where people are making the difference that they intend to make... but Harry's point is well taken... too often, we are more concerned that we look like we have achieved something... more so than actually achieving it.

So, my intent, upon reflection, is to make this blog what it was intended to be... a place to find thoughts on authenticity and truth that bring us together. A place where we can talk about the "elephants" in the room... so that we can better come together within ourselves and with each other.

Here is my thought as we enter into this special season.

This past week, I found myself in a conversation about bullying... and drew upon the thought that, if we want bullying to be addressed, maybe we might want to stop "celebrating" it... how do we celebrate it, you say?

I wish not to judge or be judged. I wish not to censure. I just think that if we are to address bullying in our schools, we might want to question it in our workplaces, and in our passions for shows like Survivor abd Big Brother. What peoplw watch is their business. Still, I find it interesting that we are concerned about bullying but find shows as above somehow entertaining.

Not judging, just a thought. Authenticity requires questioning.

And so, we continue.

My challenge for myself is to live true, be whole. The real war is within... let the battle begin... peace, true peace, lasting peace, my friends.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and more....

Barry G.

PS

For some cool material, check out The Shadow Effect DVD by Debbie Ford and The Joy Diet by Martha Beck.