Stand Up and Be Heard

The Archangels Tell Us We Can Do This Without Violence

I think we can all agree that the escalation in violence lately is concerning, to say the least, as is the attack on basic rights and freedoms we have enjoyed for so long in our country.  It’s amazing to me that so many of the people who want to curtail the right to free speech for anyone who disagrees with them are the same ones who fight so earnestly for the freedom to bear arms.  Can they not see the connection?  When so many people disagreed vehemently on incorporating common sense gun control laws, the only reason I could think of that made any sense was that perhaps there was a fear that if they agreed to that, other basic constitutional rights would come under fire.  I didn’t agree with it, but it at least made sense to me in terms or ideology or what might be behind their fears and protests.

I don’t agree with a lot of things that Charlie Kirk and other Christian nationalists have said.  I have found them offensive and hateful, but I believe he had the right to voice them.  I’m pretty neutral where Jimmy Kimmel is concerned.  He seems like a nice enough guy, and I think he’s sometimes funny, but I don’t watch much TV, and I’ve never watched his show.  I did, however, take exception to him and his show being shut down, simply because some people – including some powerful people in government – didn’t like what he had to say.  I found it very hopeful and gratifying that a lot of people agreed with me and stood up not necessarily for Kimmel, but for the freedom of speech.  Unlike Kirk’s murderer, they did so without violence.  People who disagreed on so many things, came together in unity to protest the tyranny and travesty being exercised by the government, and I find that very hopeful.

I asked the Archangels about how we could do more of this type of protest, powerful yet peaceful, and why it’s so important, and their answer follows.

Question:  Can you please discuss the importance of unity and standing up for what is right without adding violence into the mix?

Answer:

This is a very good topic to consider at this time.  Truths are likely to be revealed the rest of this year and into the next that will anger many people.  People in power are getting increasingly bold and pushing limits and boundaries all the time, and as more people begin to refuse their dictates and demand accountability, they will become more desperate to maintain their power.  There are those who consider violence as an option to subdue their enemies and already you see shows of force throughout the world.   Behind these actions is not a desire to solve problems or help people.  No, the intention is to force compliance, preserve power, and subdue the truth.  They will first lose the battle to subdue the truth, for it will come out.  If you refuse to engage and participate in their violence, it and they lose their power.  It is when you meet violence with more violence that the situation always worsens.

Do not engage with these people or be manipulated into participating in their plots.  You can still stand firm in your beliefs without resorting to violence.  Emotional responses will not serve you well in situations such as these.  You are entitled to your anger, but do not act on it in such a way that either leads to violence or puts you at risk for violence. The saying, “They wouldn’t dare …” no longer applies, for those in power will dare anything at this point.  They are desperate to maintain and exercise their power, and they are not above violence.  The sacrifice of others is acceptable to them, so do not put yourself in a self-sacrificing position.

This is not to say that you should stay silent or do nothing.  Take a stand for what is right, against what is wrong, but do this in a safe and smart way.  It is not necessary to face an army or take up arms.  Allow courage, integrity, and righteousness to be your weapons.  A simple, firm statement that you agree or disagree with something or someone can be just as powerful.  You do not have to reach millions of people to have a positive impact, and you do not have to resort to vitriol in order to be heard.  In truth, a peaceful statement said without anger is more effective than screaming insults and threats, certainly if you want those who disagree with you or who are undecided to hear what you have to say.

There are many non-public options available these days for you to consider.  It is possible to reach more people using social media than it is to join the largest of protest marches, yet these options are often misused as a way to abuse other people and warp the truth, rather than to spread facts, offer solutions, or give comfort and encouragement.  Many people feel safe and invisible enough to attack people using social media, as it offers them an anonymous way to spread their hate and fuel anger, rather than as a means to encourage and spread hope and love.  Social media brings out both the best and the worst in people.  The likelihood of those who manage these platforms guarding against abuse and propaganda is nearly non-existent.  You must guide and control yourselves.  Do not concern yourselves with whether or not others do this; focus on yourself only.  Make sure your participation is helpful, rather than harmful.

We understand anger and frustration.  We understand thoughts of resentment and retaliation, but you must not indulge in these things, not because it upsets others, but because doing so hurts you.  It takes your joy, hope, love, and peace, and you need these things more than ever right now.

The recent attacks on human rights are against everyone.  You must come together and present a united front, whether the next issue at hand affects you directly, or not, because as smaller, targeted groups are subdued and overcome, those who persecute them will move onto larger groups, until everyone is under their control.  The sooner you join forces, the safer you will be.

Find common ground.  Whether or not you agree with transgender care or the lifestyle choices associated with it, can you agree that decisions regarding children’s health concerns should be left to families, rather than to outsiders and the government?  Whether or not you consider abortion acceptable, can you agree that a woman should have the right to make medical choices concerning her own body?  Whether or not you like or agree with what someone says, can you agree that they have the right to say it?  Whether or not you agree with the life choices within the LGBTQ+ community are acceptable, can you agree that everyone should have the right to marry who they choose?  Whether or not you agree with immigration policies, can you agree that all people should be treated humanely and with dignity, whether they are legal citizens, or not?  It is alright to disapprove of someone’s actions and choices, but it is not alright to try to control them or take away those choices.

There will never be a time on Earth when everyone agrees on everything.  You are too different.  However, that is not necessary.  You do not have to agree with or approve of everything other people choose to do in order to recognize that, as long as someone’s actions do not directly harm other people, they should have the right to make their own choices and live their lives in their own way.  If there is to be peace on Earth, you must forsake the desire to control others and force them to do your will, regardless of any reasons you have for wanting their compliance.  People should not be held to someone else’s standards, beliefs, or desires.  Hold yourself to your own guidelines, but do not try to impose them on others.

It will take unity to preserve and protect your safety and security, your rights, and freedom for the future.  Do not entrust these things to others.  Do not resort to violence in order to be heard.  Do not remain silent.  Do not leave it to others to protect your rights and freedom.  Stand up.  Be heard.  Be counted.  Unite.

Final Thoughts

The loud, obnoxious people you see on the media do not represent the majority of people.  There are zealots and extremists in every group, but they’re much fewer in number than we are led to believe.  A friend of mine recently went on a rant against Christians, criticizing the movements to mandate the teaching of the Bible and post the Ten Commandments in pubic schools, and persecute the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, Muslims, Jews, and basically anyone and everyone who was different from them.  I countered that all Christians were not like that, that many did not agree with or support those movements, that those were largely examples of Christian nationalism, rather than Christianity.  His response was that, if that was the case, the Christians who disagreed with such things should speak out against them, and I had to agree.  That can pertain to all of us, though, whether we consider ourselves to be Christians, or not. 

Generalizations and stereotypes, propaganda and outright lies, should be questioned and highlighted.  People who endorse and spread these things should be called out, not violently, but peacefully.  We don’t need to hold massive meetings and press conferences to take a stand for what is right and wrong; we can make our positions clear at the lunch table at work, when we see friends and family, and when we run everyday errands.  We don’t have to be hateful, pushy, or raise our voices.  We can simply state that we agree or disagree and why. 

I spoke to someone recently who was criticizing Jimmy Kimmel for inciting violence and spreading lies and accusations and that his show should’ve remained canceled.  First, I asked her if she’d seen the monologue in question, and she had not.  She’d read someone else’s thoughts and opinions on the matter.  I very calmly said that I had seen and heard it, and that I disagreed with that assessment and repeated what I could remember of his speech.  I also stated that there were a lot of things people said that I disagreed with, including those who actually did incite violence and spread lies and accusations, but that I still supported their right to say those things.  She said she’d look up the video on YouTube and reassess.  No voices were raised.  No insults were thrown.  No challenges were made.  Just an exchange of information and ideas. 

Was I aggravated that she’d formed an opinion without considering the source?  Sure.  Did I disagree with the assessment she’d based her opinion on?  Certainly.  Did I yell, scream insults, or berate her?  Absolutely not.  What good would that have done?  I assure you it would not have inspired her to reassess.  I definitely wouldn’t have listened to her if she’d yelled at me.  We agreed that violence wasn’t the answer, regardless of the problem, and we parted on good terms. 

I like what the Angels said about social media.  I shut down my social media, because it became too toxic and abusive for me, not necessarily because I was a target, but because others were.  I also noted that there was a lot of untruthful, volatile material, not to mention hateful and persecuting comments against others.  Why does it have to be that way?  Frankly, it doesn’t.  If we ignored and discarded content like that, rather than interacted and commented on it, people would tire of posting it.  They want to agitate, aggravate, and anger other people.  They want to spread lies and propaganda and fear.  If we refuse to buy what they’re selling, there would be no point in continuing to market it.  Hitting “delete” or “block”, rather than “comment” can work wonders!

If you haven’t yet signed up for my website newsletter that came out today, the new intention for Friday night meditation with the Archangels is Compassion.  It’s not the first time the Archangels have asked for our help with this.  It’s easy to find compassion for compassionate people, but they’re not the ones who need it the most.  It’s the folks who don’t practice or understand compassion who most need it.  If you’re willing, please call on the Archangels tonight and every Friday night in October, at any time and from any place, and add your loving energy to the intention for Compassion for everyone.  If people don’t practice compassion, the only way they can possibly begin to understand it is by experiencing it from others.  No matter how angry, fearful, or hateful someone is, they deserve compassion simply because they’re a member of the human race.  It makes us stronger when we offer it to them, whether or not they accept it.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and if you have an opportunity to take a stand for what is right or against what is wrong, I hope you make use of it in a way that is acceptable to you and to whoever is the receiver of your opinion.  We don’t need anger, hatred, or violence to get across our point of view.  We don’t even have to acknowledge that stuff.  Let’s rise above it and focus on joy, hope, love, and peace, instead.

Blessings, all.