On Tuesday, May 8th, Amendment One passed in NC. I voted against Amendment One, but my greatest concern is not that it passed, but how my son has reacted to its passing. By losing the vote on Amendment One I have been given the gift of being able to teach my children tolerance and respect.
Einstein said you can’t solve a problem with the same mindset that created it. Therefore, I believe that the way to approach the passing of this amendment is with great appreciation. Why? Because that is the only way to create the space needed for a new possibility to emerge. If we are against people who are against us, then how are we any different from them? We are the same; and it is from this acknowledgement that we are one that compassion and appreciation can blossom. If I am hurting another then I am hurting myself.
So, this is how I’ve approached the passing of Amendment One. I have made a list of all this positive things that this bill has created that were not there before it’s conception. Here’s my list:
- I have witnessed very strong & broad coalitions of people that spans age, race & religious beliefs all united together in their support of equal rights for all.
- This bill has brought the topic of equal rights to our everyday conversations these past few months and so the vibration around change has been accelerated.
- But most importantly this bill has given me a platform to teach my children the most significant lesson of all; if you want others to appreciate and accept you then you must appreciate and accept them – especially if they are very different than you.
My son feels passionate about equal rights for all and he was very anti-Amendment One. He has spent hours on Facebook in heated exchanges with people who have differing views. But it is my belief that what you resist persists, so this is how I responded to my son when he asked me why I was not raging about the passing of Amendment One:
“I think it is great that this issue has gotten so much attention. This vote has really activated the energy of discussion around equal rights. I think that even though I do not agree with those who supported this Amendment, I must respect their views if I expect them to respect mine. I believe that asking the majority to vote on minority issues is not the most effective way to create change, so I am imagining a newer outcome; one in which the Federal Government steps in and extends rights to all citizens equally.”
I responded this way because I believe in order for circumstances to change there is a two-step process that must happen. First, I must appreciate what is because I can not create something positive with negative energy. Secondly, I must vividly imagine my desired outcome as if it has already happened, trusting that the events leading to that outcome will fall into place. Now, you may think this is all new age fluff, but this morning the top news story is that President Obama came out in support of gay marriage! Coincidence? I think not!
So join me in my vision of our country being a place where all people have the equality, love, respect and appreciation they deserve. Whenever you are reminded about the lack of any of these things, take a moment to imagine it differently and soon enough together we will make it so!
Please pass this post along to others so our foundation of support for this new, better feeling place can manifest more quickly.
Blessings,
Donna
by Heart Light Digital
