Maintaining the integrity of the “Self” is an essential part of living, and we must be mindful to stand guard at the entry of the soul to keep our integrity intact. To live a lifestyle that resembles that of a Low Density reality, we must be able to realize that we are in the world, but not of the world.
Maintaining integrity is so very important nowadays, especially within the context of the economic climate. Just last week a client mentioned to me that in one day approximately seventy-five thousand people in the U.S. had lost their jobs. Now, I particularly don’t listen to the news that intently, so I had to look that up before writing this article. Well, wouldn’t you know it? It was true. This is the headline I read online:
Layoffs Spread to More Sectors of the Economy!
With this kind of news, there is no wonder the world in general is feeling the stress and strain of the present economic situation. The world has shrunk, as they say, so it’s not hard to believe that news like this seeps into the fabric of society and begins to affect our collective consciousness. Well, in my opinion, and it is always only my opinion, the antidote to making it through this present negative reality is to remind yourself that “this too shall pass.” In the meantime we need to also remember that we need to maintain the health and integrity of the “self.”
To maintain your integrity and authentic nature, you have to remember not to become the event, or to become your title. So in the unfortunate event that your position at work comes to an end, or you lose some material possessions during this time, remember, you don’t have to lose your self as well. Keep reminding yourself that you are greater and more resilient than the present situation, so that when this passes, and it will, you will be able to reinvent yourself and start all over again.
Integrity is an important aspect of a Low Density Lifestyle. When you move in this direction it means realizing that you are not who you think you are. You are actually much greater than that!
Spread the word, live a low density life.
This is so true, Michael. I have experienced this myself, and have thought of it in terms of the Native American approach: it’s all in the naming.
It is human nature to “name” something, define it so it makes sense to us. When tragedy strikes, we name ourselves: unemployed, victim, survivor, etc. I think this is helpful in transitioning from tragedy to health again, but too many end up staying there too long. I left Adult Children of Alcoholics after five years because I realized that the definition no longer applied to me. I’m still an adult, still was a child of an alcoholic, still have an alcoholic parent, but those are all circumstances outside of me, that don’t define Norreida. Affected my view of the world? Sure, but so does any education.
I also spent six years giving workshops at UAlbany for sororities and other young women’s groups, on how relationships learned during childhood affect relationships in adult years. I stopped doing it when I realized that on campus I was being defined as the domestic violence survivor. I remember asking myself at the time – is that all I am? a DV survivor? No, of course not. So I decided to let others carry on that important work for awhile and went out to discover who I really am.
As you say, Michael, we have to remember not to become the event. If we do so in the beginning, as a part of the initial process of healing, well that’s normal. In the moment, we become the widow, we become the unemployed, we become the pain as a way of defining what’s happened to us, because a ‘name’ can create a solid rock to cling to in the storm. But that’s just step one – we can’t stay there, becoming the rock, the name, the event. The power lies within each of us to rename ourselves, redefine ourselves, reinvent ourselves in a definition of our own choosing.
This is a great article, Michael. Many people need to read this, especially in these times. Thank you!