“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” ~ Joseph Campbell
We are in England for my father-in-law’s funeral. After a few quiet days of just staying around the house Peter and I ventured out after a day of rain for a long drive before dinner in a local pub. We drove west along the south coast and then back again to eat at a pub local to Mum’s home. We were mostly quiet during the drive with Peter making occasional short witty comments of things we passed by. Once we arrived at the pub for dinner I ordered the first glass of red wine that I’ve had for several months. It loosened my tongue.
We found several things to talk about. Peter told me of an online training course he took the evening before to advance his training in domestic violence. This made me think of the pressures that individuals face in this high pressure period we live in.
We spoke about our son, who just moved away, and of our concerns for his now seeking work in California. I mentioned how I would like to see him moving toward writing or film as I think story telling is his calling based on all the accolades he has received in the past – it is where his talent seems to lie.  Peter’s responded broadly about the generation saying that our children needed to bring a change from the way our parents and grandparents were.
Yes, this is what I see, I thought. What is the change about?
I thought of a recent lesson from Sadhguru. I dropped my usual withholding of spiritual teachings and lessons I receive and decided to share with Peter. I told of recently learning from Sadhguru his observation that the prior generations had to focus the behaviors and actions just to survive.  Putting food on the table and having a place to live was not easy and was certainly not insured if even minor trouble occurred like loss of a job or an illness. (Yes there are still some people who find themselves in these struggles but I think the majority of families are able to fall back on social services during times of crisis such as: unemployment, Medicaid, Social Security, public schools, public health, and well as charitable organizations.)

As I contemplated the struggles for basic needs that our grandparents dealt with along with my wish for my son to just be who he is meant to be it hit me! I had a big A-ha that brought about tears to my eyes. I was pulling out my tissue just as our dinner was placed in front of us.
The thought that cracked me open was ‘we feel we must do what is expected of us instead of just being’. This is what brought the tears on. I realized this is what I have been trying to relate to my sons since I woke up in 2012.
And … I realized this is what the 2012 change meant regarding the rising of the feminine energy!!!
(Reminder: male energy is doing; female energy is being)
I now understand that the next generation needs to just be who they are – beingness.
The modern world has evolved to the point where the individual expressing its unique gifts serves the whole. I think we see so much trouble with youth using drugs, attempting suicide, joining gangs or terrorist groups is all due to lack of respect and acceptance for the individual spirit during childhood. No child is born evil. All are born happy and unique but our culture takes the period of childhood to change and mold them into what is believed to be a perfect adult (which we adults all know is impossible and oppressive).
The child who grows into an adult who knows his own worth and value is a blessing to us all. He trusts himself and Life thereby providing the example of well-being to everyone around him.
For the time ahead the beliefs of the past no longer fit. Kids do not have to do all that is expected of them to survive – I think it is better if they don’t.
Just be yourself.
And, we all need to learn to honor and respect the individual uniqueness of each person we meet. Who someone comes to this Earth to be is between them and God.
This reflection makes me feel love and honor toward all.
Namaste’
“Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi