The Best Retaliation is Love
By: Carla Rieger
“A nation cannot be attacked unless we are also the enemy”
If there is a positive side to the tragedy of terrorist attacks, it may be the motivation to look inside, reflect, and cherish the moment. In our hectic North American lives, many of us rarely take the time for these precious endeavors. Terrorist attacks occur not just between cultures, but between communities, individuals, and within the human psyche, as well. Whether an organization of people hi-jack airplanes, or an executive steals from the company, or a co-worker perpetuates mean-spirited gossip, or an individual practices self-criticism - all these actions contribute to the energy of terror. The Universal Law of Attraction states that what you judge, controls you. What you judge, you breed, attract and become. When you judge yourself or others, lay blame, or act out of vengeance, you are adding to the world vibration of terrorism. We are all responsible for what happened last week, and really accepting that responsibility can help stop it.
That said, it is human nature to judge, blame, and be vengeful. There is always the trap of becoming judgmental of those who judge. We all can succumb to it. However, each moment we have a choice to come from love and compassion instead. There are email letters, minister’s sermons, and negotiator’s discussions imploring us to act from wisdom not rage, to find justice not revenge. Yet to rise past the level of judgement, and vengeance is no easy feat especially for those of us with unresolved childhood wounds. We can however use an opportunity like this to transform the negativity, to use it as our soil from which to create something new and beautiful.
Let us study the patterns of human interaction on both the macrocosmic and microcosmic levels. In the field of conflict resolution, we can identify the “terrorist” attack as a huge call for help - whether it is on a grand or small scale. If we listen and validate the core feelings of our so-called “enemy”, we have won half the battle. Some would say these actions come from pure evil, the leaders of terrorist groups have no conscience, and to validate their perspective is to sanction their behavior. It is imperative to differentiate perspectives from actions. Though there may be sociopathic individuals among terrorist groups, the majority of them are people who just want the same things we all want – love, respect, safety. If we want it from them, let us give it in return. Once both sides of a battle feel validated, only then we can begin to access our creativity, and find mutually satisfying solutions.
Many of us are asking how we can help the larger situation in the world. Above and beyond giving blood, money, flowers, prayers, and listening, there is another option. Meditate and/or journal for 20 minutes each day on inner peace. That may sound like a trite answer, but I believe it is the foundation to everything else we say we want. There is an old African proverb that states it succinctly “If there is no enemy within, the enemy without can do us no harm.” If terrorist attacks are in part caused by a rift between the have’s and the have-nots of the world – look inside for that same inner conflict.
Do you validate certain parts of your psyche and invalidate others?
Do you judge yourself for not being good enough in some way?
Notice how the inner terrorist may manifest in your life. For some people it is through illness, addictions or depression. For others it may be losing or forgetting things or having an accident. What are the core feelings behind the actions of the inner terrorist? Write them out. It may be never acknowledging that what you do and who you are is enough. Or, perhaps it is sacrificing important values to be accepted by others. Once you have identified the core interests of the inner terrorist, see if you can really listen and validate those interests. Ask for guidance if that is part of your spiritual practice. Once you can do it within, you add to the collective ability to do it externally. Don’t wait for others to do it. Peace starts at home, within you. Fear and terror cannot thrive in a world of love. If we bombard our own psyches, communities and world with love – it may indeed conquer all.
Carla Rieger is an expert on creative people skills at work. If you want a motivational speaker, trainer, or leadership coach to help you stay on the creative edge, contact Carla Rieger.
Web site: http://www.carlarieger.com
Tel: 1-866-294-2988
Email carla@carlarieger.com