Finding Your “No” (Summer 2011)
I don’t have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It’s a depression. Everybody’s out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel’s worth; banks are going bust; shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter; punks are running wild in the street, and there’s nobody anywhere who seems to know what to do, and there’s no end to it . . .
I don’t want you to protest. I don’t want you to riot. I don’t want you to write to your Congressman, because I wouldn’t know what to tell you to write. I don’t know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Russians and the crime in the street.
All I know is that first, you’ve got to get mad. You’ve gotta say, “I’m a human being, goddammit! My life has value!” So, I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window, open it, and stick your head out and yell
“I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!!”
– Howard Beale, Network, 1976 (see the clip)
Hi everyone,
2011 has been an extremely eventful year — revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and all across the Middle East, Sudan splitting into two countries, a tsunami in Japan, fires in Texas, tornadoes in Joplin and across the region, our petty, divisive politics, a “jobless” economic recovery… And it’s not like 2010 was a piece of cake either (Gulf oil spill, Haiti…). Invariably, the above speech from Howard Beale in Network comes to mind. Yet, while Howard’s speech was entertaining and easy to relate to, is that the best we can do?
In the face of being overwhelmed by tragedy, horror and injustice, a strong “no” is essential. A healthy “no” doesn’t necessarily need to be an angry “no”. Yet, why is this so difficult? How does this show up in our personal relationships? Do we defiantly dig our heals in and get stuck there? Or do the opposite, avoid all conflict, sweep things under the rug and stay invested in why-can’t-we-all-just-get-along “positivity”?
This is what we’ll be tackling in the Living Ubuntu Summer Body Group. Like past body groups, the focus will be on learning to become grounded, getting more in touch with our limits, and healthy expression of feelings. We will use experiential body-centered methods extensively (because these issues are not simply in our minds). To create a safe, secure space we are limiting attendance to no more than 10 people. If you’d like to attend, please get in touch with us. All details are below and on the website.
Hope you will join us,
Barbara & Anshul
Living Ubuntu
livingubuntu.org | blog| facebook
Healthy expression of negativity, protest and anger
“If you deny the power you have, it is just as bad as wielding it as a weapon.”
– Barbara English, Living Ubuntu
Living Ubuntu Summer Body Group
June thru September 2011
6 sessions every other Sunday afternoon (2:00p-4:30p)
Orange County, CA
Starts Sunday, June 26th
see all dates »
Why is anger such a tough issue? How does someone that starts out passionate, wind up embittered and burned out? Standing our ground in personal relationships isn’t any easier. Why do we defiantly dig our heals in and get stuck there? Or do the opposite and avoid all conflict and people with “negative energy”?
For those who over-rely on anger and also those who run from it, learning the power of a grounded “no” is essential. Yet, what makes it so difficult? This is what we’ll be tackling in the Living Ubuntu Summer Body Group.
Visit http://livingubuntu.org/events for more information or call (949) 891-2005.
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