The Magic of Naming the Bad

Sometimes we feel down, on edge or blah and call on a bit of magic to give us more energy or to keep on coping. That is acceptable.  But there is a power in naming, and therefore facing the "isms" and other messes that are keeping us from our best life. We can go beyond 'coping' to working for change.  In the United States there has been movement going on for a year or so (maybe longer but I have only become strongly aware of it in the last couple of years) to move towards a better life for more of our citizens.  This movement speaks out against corruption, discrimination, financial imbalance, racism, and mistreatment of our environment, among other things.  It takes courage to face and name problems.  But apartheid ended in Africa because people faced it as a problem. We can end some of the imbalances in the U.S. I believe it was Thomas Jefferson who said, "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance."  By the very act of choosing to be courageous and name the "bad" we have taken on a magical aura, we are magicians with a latent power to make a change.  Whether it is a change we want to make in ourselves, our life or our society we must first conceive of the need for that change.  Sometimes the road to change can be started with a simple step, looking at the "bad" as a starting point then deciding exactly what is bad.  A client recently told me that her doctor told her she needed to engage in 'diet and exercise' but they weren't her thing.  She didn't want the ill health she was facing by not dieting and not exercising, however.  So we examined what 'diet and exercise' meant to her.  When she realized they meant 'discomfort and deprivation' we agreed that 'discomfort and deprivation' was never a good goal.  But she became excited about "sensory celebration' , 'dance', 'self expression through movement', and 'creative cooking for health'. Often the essence of what is "bad" is that you are denied your voice and control over your own life.  By realizing that you have a voice and the right to that, you are moving towards more power in your life.  People will try to 'groom' you to take on a certain role or submissive position.  You will encounter 'isms' all over the place. That isn't necessary. Speak truth to yourself and then it will be easier to speak truth to others.  I was heartened to read the the state of Delaware is suing to revoke the charter of Massey Energy.  This is a big corporation that mines coal and has been abusing the environment as they operate.  If they have their charter (right to do business) revoked  a powerful message will be sent to other companies that are abusing our Mother, our Earth.  So, I suggest to all wise magicians, that if there is something dark that needs to be named, light up your world, name the 'bad' and open the way for that which is better.  May the spark be with you.