We should all have a fair chance to succeed.
Justin Trudeau was asked about his number one priority for the next two years at a recent Women in the World convention. He acknowledged that there was a lot to be done but the big one was around fairness, stating a desire that ‘everyone has a fair chance to succeed in Canada. … Everything I can do, everything we can do, to shift the world in the right direction continues to be something that I am going to work on in the next two years, but spoiler alert, I’m not going to fix everything.’ From the interviews around the current tax debate, I can sense the underlying drive to fix the disparity between the working middle class and the wealthy. Both at home and abroad, it is very apparent that a concern for human rights and fairness are key underpinnings of Trudeau’s leadership.
This is a wonderful goal. Many of us were raised with this core value and it is strongly embedded in our belief systems. I can fully appreciate the strong desire to achieve fairness and to make a difference. However, I have been challenged to explore my interesting beliefs that the world should be fair and my need to fix it. In turn, I pose the challenge to others to explore the energy in these beliefs.
But the world is not fair!
It can be difficult to hold something that is not comfortable to us. We are trained to take action and help when something is broken. But what if we took a moment to notice our stress response. Think of your energy when you say: ‘That’s not fair!’ or ‘I need to fix it!’. Often we try so hard to fix things for others that we end up imposing our version of what is needed to make ourselves feel better. In reality what people really need is the space to fix things for themselves. They need tools to help them let go of what is causing them to suffer or holding them back so they can build their personal resources for a fair chance to succeed.
Examples of current topics.
The current tax debate is a relevant topic in the media. The desire to have the wealthy pay more to help the middle class aligns with the notion of fairness. Our belief is if it is not fair, we should intervene to make it more fair. But notice what happens. Each side becomes reactive and closed. The conversation loses rational judgement. Resentment kicks in, which has the opposite effect of growing wealth by limiting goodwill. Rather than growing jobs and having businesses support their communities, they pull back to protect themselves.
The legalization of marijuana can spark a similar debate. Many people are in pain. We need to help alleviate their suffering. We will make drugs more accessible so they can better cope. As we intervene, we may feel that we are helping them when in fact, they are not building their resources. If we could provide them with tools to help them let go of the triggers that are causing anxiety, they would better equipped to let go of the triggers that drive their need for pain relief.
Past experiences play a role.
Our past experiences and our culture have a profound impact on our ability to cope. Canada was founded by indigenous people who have suffered the loss of their homeland and immigrants who left their homelands with the hope of a better life. Their hardships has left a mark in our country and in our souls. It has influenced the belief systems of our parents and communities. As the world accelerates in the rate of change, things are no longer comfortable because they are not aligned to our culture and beliefs. We all react. If we can acknowledge and let go to heal our past, we can create space so that we all have a fair chance to succeed.
So how do we fix it?
The answer is beautifully simple:
- We let go of the energy in our need to fix things, driven by our need to make ourselves more comfortable. We create space for others.
- We provide tools to others so they can begin to fix things for themselves. So they can claim space in safety.
Logosynthesis is a beautiful philosophy and method that is effective for both self-care and care of others. The work starts with each of us. It is not a quick fix but is certainly intriguing!
We will get to a fairer world together. But it is not through the energy of fixing things for others but rather accepting the world as it is and creating a space for others to feel safe and secure so that they can fix things for themselves.
Get started now using Logosynthesis
Are you interested in a fair chance to succeed? Check out these resources to get you started. You can also watch the guided video below to experience what can shift. Firstly, grab a glass of water and find a quiet, uninterrupted place. Allow at least 30 minutes so that you are not rushed. And then, simply follow my guidance on the video. Energy shifts can feel subtle or intense, so take some time to notice what shifts over the next few days and weeks. Enjoy!