Category: Uncategorized

Mass shooting “Just another Day in the United States”

I don’t understand…

Why is it ok for our students, educators, parents and communities to continue to experience this violence?

Why do our children have to be afraid to be gun down at their schools?

Why do our children get punished each time there is a mass shooting at schools?

Do more locked doors, more active shooting drills, more safety protocols,  teachers with gun, more fences…make them feel safe?

What is wrong with us?

Why is it harder for me to get an abortion or a drivers license than to get an assault weapon?

Why can we not have protocols for gun ownership? 

Why are background check, waiting time period, yearly firearm registration, liability insurance, 21 an older, ban on assault weapons, trigger locks, limits on how much ammunition you can buy so insulting to gun owners?

Why does the police not rush in during a mass shooting? Maybe it’s because they are afraid too? 

Why can’t we all agree that mass shooting is an epidemic? 

Why has there been 27 school shootings this year?  119 school shootings since 2018- the highest number of shootings, 34, occurred last year. There were 10 shootings in 2020, and 24 each in 2019 and 2018.

I don’t understand…

I am not against gun ownership, but not everyone should own a gun.

I am tired of hearing that: 

• “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people” – but they make it a lot easier for people to kill people in greater number. 
• “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun” – Fact: “no mass shooting in the past 30 years have been stopped by an armed civilian”. 
• “Mental health” – It’s an issue that only matters to our politicians in the immediate aftermath of a shooting – then it’s forgotten, until there’s another shooting. Rinse, repeat.
• “It’s our right because of the Second Amendment”- must I remind you that the Second Amend­ment was written by slaveholders before we had electricity, much less the kind of weaponry that would-be murderers can buy today.  Amend­ment II states:

A well regu­lated Mili­tia, being neces­sary to the secur­ity of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

The Constitution is clear that the only militias protected by the Second Amendment are “well-regulated” units authorized and controlled by state governments, not a private citizen militia. A “well-regulated militia” was one authorized, trained and – with growing frequency during the American Revolution – armed and provisioned by state governments. After the American Revolution, the purpose of these state militias was clearly laid out in: so Congress could use them to “execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions.” Today, the militia in all 50 states is the National Guard.

I am really tired of  hearing “Thoughts and Prayers”  – Just stop.  

God isn’t going to fix this, and the victims don’t need our prayers. They need us to fucking do something about the gun insanity in our country. Let’s try something different!  Like creating tighter gun control laws – Analysis suggest that firearm deaths are significantly lower in states with stricter gun control legislation.

I just don’t understand…

I learn this method from Susannah Conway and yes I adapted it to me.  I have been working on it for a week and I feel I am close but I am not committed yet (maybe that should be my word?). Choosing your word is a creative exercise, because it pushes you to think about your aims and distill them into a single idea. 

• Take some quiet time and grab some paper and pencil
• Pause, take a deep breath and ask yourself:
  • What do I need more of in my life?
  • What do I need less of?
  • What qualities do I want to develop?
  • What is definitely happening in 2021? 
  • What am I hoping will happen in 2021?
  • What areas of my life are asking to be supported?
• Write down any thoughts that come into your mind as you answer these questions – there are no right or wrong answers, you are looking for clues. When finish put it aside and come back tomorrow.
• The next day look back through your notes and circle any words that feel important.
• In a new paper write down all the words you circled – order is not important.
• In addition look at list of words below and if any word(s) jump at you add them to the list of circled words.

• Look over your list of circled words and select up to 5 words that resonate with you the most (more than 5 will make it overwhelming so keep it simple- 5 is max).
• In a new paper explore your circled words:
  • What is your own definition of this word? What does the word mean to you?
  • What is the dictionaries definition of the word?
  • Look up the word in a thesaurus- synonyms you like better?
  • How does the word make you feel? 
  • Write it all down and then put aside until tomorrow.
  • Then next day look at your words again. 
    • Do they still resonate with you?
    • Have you uncovered other connected words that are more appealing?
    • Do you need an Active word?  Ex: Are you are ready for a year full of forward movement and change? Then pick a word the inspires and emboldens you: yes, focus, fly, strength, ignite, wild…
    • Or do you need a Passive word? Ex: Are you ready for a gentler ride in 2021? Then choose a word that will inspire that feeling within you: peace, restore, soften, home, ease..
    • Do you need an Inward word? Ex: You are anxious about what 2021 will bring? Then find a word that will fill like a hug: glow, nurture, nourish, tend, become..
    • Or an Outward word?  A word that will empower you to handle what ever 2021 throws at you? Then choose word such as: stretch, brave, expand, adventure..
    • Notice if any word creates a physical reaction in your body when you say it? 
    • Which word thrills you? Which one feels like a relief?
    • Which word do you want to be your word for 2021? Not the word you think you should choose, but the one you really want.
    • You want to pick a word you are a little bit in love with.  Don’t worry if you cannot narrow it down to one word. You can always change your mind to a word that feels most in service to your life and needs.
    • If you cannot decide between two or three words consider choosing one main word and keep the others as supporting words. 

Ex: each word supports a different aspect of your life; you can have an Inward word and an Outward word or Active word for your career and a Passive word for your family; it can be a mantra or a phrase.

• Spend some time with your word, maybe doodle and simply ask yourself: Which word truly light me up?
• To keep your word in your thoughts as you go through the year:
  • Add word  to desktop wallpaper or screensaver for phone and iPad. 
  • Add the word on a pebble and place on your altar, by your laptop, etc.
  • Post it notes everywhere.
  • Paint a picture and include word.
  • Create poem, mantra, jewelry, etc.

• Susannah Conway states that “our words work their mojo whether we check in with them or not, but keeping them in mind certainly boosts their power” and that it is worth instigating monthly check-ins with our word: 
  • Ex: the 1st Sunday of the month, take 30 minutes to sit with your journal and reflect on the reasons you chose your word.  
    • How has it been supporting you? 
    • When did my word make a difference this month?
    • What could you do to bring more of your word into your life?
    • Are there any additional words that would support me next month?

My word for 2021 is CONNECT  and supporting word s are ME and TRUST.  CONNECT is to remind me to reach out to others and not be so much of an introvert. ME is to remind me if this is really me, my words, my desires and TRUST to trust myself.

Do you have your word for 2021? If so share it with me at IleanaYoga  and share it! Keep in touch through the year and let me know if it made a difference.

Blessings to you and your loved ones,

Ileana

 

 Lessons learned in 2017:

• I am surrounded by angels
• That I have the most wonderful, supportive husband, sons, family & friends. Who listen when I need them (though the might not understand) and left me alone when I asked.
• That dreams do come true- with hard work and determination.
• That the world does stops when you hear those 3 words: “it is cancer” – Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (aka breast cancer).
• That I am not afraid of dying… but I am not ready yet.
• That I am afraid of the pain I can cause my family
• That people are kind and loving in the mist of their own pain
• That I am vulnerable
• That I am more powerful than I think
• That I am a Conquer… have always been and will always be
• And that I still need my mom at 60.

Lessons for 2018:

• Let me learn how to be my best self, to be of service
• To create an abundant, successful and fruitful life
• To love and be loved more
• That life is still a wonderful adventure
• To fill all the pages of my book with love, laugher, health, gratitude and crazy fun
• To be pure love, grace and peace