I am REALLY surprised that the ‘joke’ incited such conflict. To address ASSUMPTIONS people are making about me before bothering to ASK what is true:

1. I am double minority, being a woman minority
2. I can very personally relate to two of the three lists in the ‘joke’
3. My immediate, extended and in-law’s family are all minority and can relate to the ‘joke’
4. My immediate, extended and in-law’s minority family HAS experienced discrimination, for several generations!
5. Numbers 1-4 are not important!

Now, maybe it was in bad taste however my intentions were NOT to be hurtful or encourage polarity, (although at some level I guess that is what we all wanted). I honestly thought it was hilarious, especially since I can so personally relate to so many items. The ‘joke’ was simply a listing of cultural idiosyncrasies. It did not call names or even get remotely personal.

HOWEVER, we all have our subjective lens on and apparently there are many folks around here that are still carrying around hurt from discriminating & stereotyping experiences.

Our external environment DOES reflect our internal environment so I would have to say that these sensitive people are receiving STRONG messages of what issues still need healing. That which angers us, controls us. It is a form of handing over our power to that quality that we cannot accept whole-heartedly within ourselves.

Tricky thing is this is often so hidden that it can take a long time to recognize. Fear not, it will be healed regardless. And some of these people are in the thick of the hurt itself, not able to see past the pain. Then there is the process of healing itself. Until we recognize that we WANT to change our patterns and that the POWER lies WITHIN us, we are caught in a cycle of being hurt repeatedly. However even this hurting cycle supports our healing, as we really don’t experience COMPASSION until we know the subject/issue at hand, INSIDE AND OUT. Hence, we often need to experience the exact judgement/criticism/rejection that needs most acceptance internally.

The big lesson I see here? We are still searching so diligently for that unconditional love and acceptance OUTSIDE of ourselves, through other people, things & situations. And as long as we look to others for our fulfillment, approval and who we are, we will continue to be disappointed. For it is not to be granted by anyone else BUT our deepest selves. We are all worthy of love, acceptance and happiness and no one can take this away from us that we don’t allow at some level. This is the drama we are learning.

Yes, we’ve been hurt, it IS real and it DOES affect us. Believe me, I am NOT here to minimize anyone’s experiences. The POWER lies within YOU to heal yourself and love yourself completely, entirely and unconditionally. It is jumping up and down trying to get your attention. It is knocking at your door, waving its hand in your face, whispering in your ear. It is there and it has YOUR name on it. It is simply awaiting your acknowledgement and embrace.

So next time you find yourself becoming enraged at someone’s comments and ways of being, AND you are tired of experiencing the same reactions, QUESTION and OBSERVE yourself.
Why are you so mad?
What is that person doing or not doing that’s inciting you so?
Why is it so important that this person agree with you?
Why are you allowing this person to hold so much power and influence against who you are?
What emotional need are you looking for in this person?
How can you get that emotional need fulfilled from YOURSELF?

Anyway, I can go on and on here but I won’t.

Hasta la vista
And I’ll see you on the forums

Love
Lori