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Losing Humanness

Lately, it can feel like our patience and grace as humans is being tested. If the purpose of being human is to maintain humanity (aka, the collective care for the human species, in consideration of all humans), it can be difficult to understand and process why things like civil rights, human rights and personal rights are still subject to dogmatic control. In the not-so-distant past, there seemed to be hope for collective survival through a global pandemic, yet what have we still not learned when we’ve readily reverted to a climate where decisions are being made for, not with, the people impacted? It can feel like compassion and empathy are non-existent. This prompts the question: where exactly is our humanity?



One of the most important aspects about being human is supporting others. We are a community-oriented population, reliant upon all our varied strengths and talents to ensure our survival. We cannot singularly be everything, know everything and do everything. It’s impossible. We need our tribe, our community, the broader sense for humanity, to support us through the many paths of life. When any one group of people are isolated from that community and stripped of their value and worth to be seen and heard for who they are, the essence of humanity is broken.


With charged political decisions, waging wars, continually perverted food sources, environmental deterioration and blatant exclusion seeming to spread rampantly across the world, one may struggle to make sense of life and the future. What all humans share is an over-arching value for self-preservation, yet when it starts to feel this is unattainable, strong sentiments arise, including sadness, disenchantment, hopelessness, disappointment, frustration, angst or anger. We need such visceral emotional responses to know when our core sense of Being is challenged. These are red flags indicating our own values are in conflict, which invites us to question who we truly are, how we're showing up, and what needs to come into balance for us to feel more secure?


Is this existential crisis? More likely, it’s about feeling helpless in situations where we perceive we we have little to no control. This, in turn, asks us to consider the myth of control: we desire to feel certainty and security amidst chaos, but in truth, we can only control ourselves – no one and nothing else. Through understanding this, it allows us to change how we relate to what’s happening in the world. We learn that we may control our own sense for peace and sanity by actively choosing how we react, respond and move forward, solely owning the outcome for ourselves. In this way, we become less triggered by challenges or dogma that feel unfair, one-sided or divisive, and we stand in our power of free will. We may elect to internalize, process and hold onto anger or resentment, or we may choose to use that energy to take accountable action and support change where it is needed. We may feel drawn into rumination or worry about the future, or we may choose to practice adaptability and meet life as it happens in the present. Owning our response releases us from the polarized social and political worlds and allows us to recognize more clearly what matters most to us.


When decisions are being made for us, instead of with us, we also have the choice for how we respond. We may relinquish our power, or adamantly claim it back. For some, this is not possible, given social, financial or physical limitations. And so, it becomes imperative that those with the means speak loud enough for all. We ignite this power in how we decide to react and respond to the things happening around us. When we can come from a place of peace, acknowledgment and self-control, we may better understand the larger needs of our communities, and then open to the inquisition of ‘what is important for the greater good of humanity?’ This puts us in a place to support others and welcome back isolated groups with care and positive intention. We possess within each of us, the capacity to perpetuate humanity.


While injustices occur and humanity subsequently crumbles, we cannot stand by idly, quietly. We must advocate for equality, empathy, liberty, compassion and our essential right to the pursuit of happiness. It is our responsibility as humans to support our greater community of humankind. How can we do this? We might support local programs that benefit the greater population, or take action when and where we are able. It's also important that we talk about how we’re feeling, and truly listen to others as they share their struggles. And if we are the under spoken and disempowered, we need to find the people who can help us. Through coming together in collective grace, we can return humanness to humanity. We can stand together, united in strength, to ensure all humans feel welcome, respected, valued and significant.


By Jennifer Rizza, Healthy Living Guide, Reiki Master Teacher, Yoga Instructor, Humanitarian


*this is a revised article, the original appeared on Jen's personal website: www.hdrestorativewellness.com in June, 2022


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