Canceled and Downsized
On Indigenous Peoples Day, I read “Being Downsized” from Mark Nepo’s “The Book of Awakening.” It made me think of how racism, patriarchy, and evil downsized the First Nations people, while we simultaneously celebrate Thanksgiving – one of the myriad contradictions that holds up the capitalist doctrine of the USA. I thought of how Africans were canceled – made to be 3/5 human – because then it would be okay to own “things” that were not wholly human.
I recalled the numerous times that I was downsized, laid off, contract not renewed, let go. And I thank the Almighty. For in the release was a message that I overspent my valuable, nonredeemable time with people and for people that could not possibly understand my worth. Nor did they really ever want to, viewing me as less than, a threat, or a “who does she think she is.” As Nepo says, “…there are countless stories of people whose lives truly find their meaning after events force them to give up careers that they have been devoted to.” This is the Satya, the truth that I have lived through, that informs my current decisions and choices.
Those participating in the “cancel culture” seem to lean on this inauthentic notion to feel something, some wrong thing that was done to them that they hope that karma will return. It does not work that way, none of this works in the manner in which we believe. The Universe removed me every single time because I was playing myself small, short, minimizing my light – the people that did the deed believed that they were in control – but my life and guides and ancestors are so much bigger than that.
To be sure, I received the lessons and the knowledge. I am very careful now not to allow this to happen again; indeed, I am human. But I know why I must continue to create space and work to “pour myself into.”