Revolt for Change

My small tiny home country seems to be in a state of revolution. For a few days now millions of people in all neighborhoods have been demonstrating, asking for change. Change in government, change in process, change in economy, change in view, change in grass roots ideology. In a united front it looks like more than one third of the population has stood up and said enough! 

Has it been a long time coming? Yes! Has it been something on everyone's mind? Yes! Has the governing body just done too little, not enough, too much? Yes! What did it take to start a friendly peaceful uprising for regular people wanting better for themselves and their families? Probably just like in every revolution one tiny event that was the last straw. The populace stood up and wanted to be heard, seen, felt.

As I am neither a political analyst nor an informed citizen on the history of governing in my country, (ssshhh do not tell anyone, my excuse is I have not lived there permanently in 40 years), what I would like to talk about in this blog, is personal revolutions. The day you woke up and decided enough is enough, a need for change has come. 

In the real world, humans after a certain age, move forward with their life in practically unconscious manner. We have jobs, families, obligations, bills, responsibilities, the list is endless of things requiring our attention. We do not have an inordinate amount of time to question what we are doing and why. Or to analyze our beliefs and why we stand for what we stand. Or to analyze in depth where we are today and where we would have liked to be instead.

The modern economies of today make humans a slave to the job and the cash. We are followed every minute of every day with our careers. At home, on vacation, at gym, at the store wherever we are, we are meant to be on call 24/7. Add to that your personal life and all the other duties to be looked after, aging parents, households etc. and who has the energy or the commitment to think past that days to do list?

We start out with the best of intentions; we have ambition and drive. We are committed to live the best life we can. We work hard and pull through hardship to make things happen for ourselves and our families. Then we wake up one day in midlife or maybe even later and look back and think, what have I done? My life is unrecognizable.

It feels like the last 20 or 30 years even, have been lived by someone else. The ladder we thought we were climbing seems to be moving in another direction, the large aspirations we thought we were achieving never came to fruition, the image we had of our life does not make sense.

I read stories of people that have started running marathons in their 50's, of people that went back to school in their 60's, of writers writing that first book late in life, the stay at home mom that invented a product and successfully sold it way after her children had left the nest. Stories of positive change and movement forward at any age.

Yet, your average Joe, that has bills to pay and people to look after, has never once stopped to think of what else? What more? What next? A personal revolution has never been entertained.

A revolution is the overthrow of the old for the new. Usually associated with governments and countries. But what is stopping us from having our own revolutions. Throwing out the old and bringing in the new.

As I sat to write this, I had my own self-reflection, as one would in order to pass on an authentic message. Have I ever had my own personal revolt? Probably not. In adulthood I have lived a linear existence. The expectations laid upon me have been met. A good job, a good mom, a good wife, a good daughter, sister, friend, a life full of duty and reward.

What do I mean by a personal revolution and what is stopping me from going through one?

Personal revolution to me, means the cleansing of one’s disappointments, ideas, set thoughts, limitations we place on ourselves, the removal of toxic weaknesses that hold us back, a revamp for better use of a word, of one’s internal culture. A personal revolution is letting go of the emotional baggage we carry through life.

We all build relationships in a pattern all our own, we fulfill ambitions or not in a set manner, we promote or demote ourselves in a way we think is right for us. 

I feel it is time for me (as I near a new decade), to take a swipe at the cobwebs in the corners, to sweep the emotions that are just not working for me, to shine a light at new internal adventures, to take stock of the whys and ways, to bring myself in line with a future me that works in more balance and peace. Out with the old and in with the new.

The luggage I haul from years of missed opportunities, unfulfilled dreams, and dashed hopes, it is time to pack all that away. Press the re-start button, look at what I need now today to be a better version of me, how I can change and grow. How I can influence those around me with renewed energy and positiveness. How can I embrace change and accept aspects that I am unable to change?

I am happy to let you know that I have started taking baby steps in that direction, making a personal revolution happen, on the inside which will eventually manifest on the outside. My view of the world I exist in and my role in it.

Here is what I have learned: A personal revolution is needed. It is a way to reflect and analyze in depth one’s life. It is an affirmation of what is good and functioning well in one’s life. It is also a welcome friend to change, what one does not enjoy or longer accepts in one’s life before it’s too late. Take the challenge my readers, revolt! See what bounty and metamorphosis your soul and in turn your life will hold, once your personal revolution is complete!