Amma's blog: "I Am"

Safety

Boundaries

Feelings

Self-Esteem

Communication

Types of Abuse

Conflict Resolution

Assertiveness

Responsibility

Healthy Relationships

Domestic Violence Within the Family

Those 11 topics are part of the counseling program at a domestic abuse shelter called E.V.E. - Ending Violence (and I do not know what the last E stands for but I will fling out a few possibilities Eternally, Eventually, Ekphrasis.) ((I have never heard the word Ekphrasis but apparently it could to refer to all the writing I do in blogs - as my words do represent a picture of my individual life and mind))...

We all know that Jackie Gleason never punched out his wife on the Honeymooners - but was he instructing boys to become men that would threaten their wife with a punch when he said I SWEAR ONE OF THESE DAYS, ALICE - POW - RIGHT TO THE MOON!! - or was it just a humorous hook. Probably it was just a catchy phrase for a program that was one of the first to capture a new generation that had access to the technology called TELEVISION. A little back to the future referencing, because television still captures us and shows us ideas and ideals that might not work off of a controlled sound stage, and yet the babysitter boobtube teaches our children. Now the babysitter YouTube does too...

I like creative freedom. Freedom of thought, freedom of speech, the freedom to unbuckle your seatbelt and move about the plane. But with freedom comes responsibility.

How many people can truly say that they are adept at being assertive, as opposed to aggressive; communication is already an incredible feat to achieve between like-minded people - toss in the differences of life experience and comprehension is lost. In this modern age with texting and online environments where the majority of cues - body language and voice intonation - are not present, misunderstanding that can lead to a feeling of being abused is almost certain.

As I watch the world around me I see that we could all benefit from some teachings regarding how to be assertive, communicate properly, and be able to identify abuse when it is dealt to us, and how to move out of its shadow. Both men, women, and especially the children who will become men and women need to learn how to be a person in full - with empathy, compassion, patience, and the knowledge of how to deny the sway of victimization as a mindset, and how to rise above a situation that victimized us.

I am trying. I do not need to give until it hurts. Nor should I give hurts. Sometimes it is inadvertent, or even unavoidable, but the goal is for the idea of E.V.E.E. (Ending  Violence Eternally Eventually) to thrive and for behaviors be taught that will assure that we can all live together - peacefully.