Heart Centered Connection
This past week I spent a lot of time listening to, watching, and reading the files related to the notorious pedophile scandal that is rocking the world in real time.
Some of the people whose names are appearing in the files, emails between them and JE about meeting up on his island, have been appalling, and nauseating. My brain has had a hard time digesting this information, and my gut says these are dangerous times. From revered spiritual teachers and famous skateboard celebrities (which were the shocking reveal), to politicians on both sides as well as the wealthiest, most powerful on the planet, (not so shocking), tho so completely unacceptable and disgusting. Will any of these people be held accountable and punished for abusing and traumatizing children?? I cannot imagine living in a world that does not hold them accountable, and I cannot imagine how and who will be tasked to do so. Literally every walk of life is represented, and those who are at the top of those industries, the very rich and powerful, were involved in some aspect of this criminal mastermind operation.
My first internship when I was in school for my Masters degree in Counseling Psychology was at a Women's Shelter for abused women and children. Tears are welling up in my eyes as I write this because of the horrors I was exposed to during the 3 years that I worked with this organization. How anyone could inflict this kind of harm on anyone, much less a child, was beyond any comprehension. My job was to help the victims know without a shadow of a doubt that they were in no way responsible for what happened to them. It was not their fault. SA is all about power and control and has absolutely nothing to do with love. It is confusing for children and for adults who are abused by people who are supposed to love them, who they perhaps love and depend on. I was given strict boundaries to not ever even consider working with an abuser, which I could never have done anyway, knowing their actions, often without any consequences. It was truly an honor to work with women who awakened and realized the strength and conviction within them. Many ended the cycle of violence and started a life free from their cruel past.
How do individuals, much less our nation, not to mention our world at this time move on from the violence and blatant horrors that are being revealed in black and white, and photos. How do we shift from the denial to the truth and live among these pedophiles and rapists, supporting their businesses and living among them? I have no answers, only tears and compassion for the victims and the survivors. Many of these victims did not survive.
These are my thoughts in these dismal times this week as many crimes and criminals are brought to light. We cannot dismiss this. We cannot say we need to focus on other things. We need to keep this in our minds and hearts, and spread love and compassion to the victims and the survivors.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please stay safe, stay strong, stay optimistic and loving. Fear has no place in where we are headed as individuals and as a collective human race. Love you.
"Love when you can, cry when you have to, be who you must, that's a part of the plan. Await your arrival with simple survival, and one day we'll all understand."
-Dan Fogelberg
