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Author
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Topic: Labels limit us!!!
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Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 18, 2007 09:49 PM
 
Labels limit us
"When I let go of what I am,
I become what I might be."
-- Lao Tzu How do you define yourself, to yourself and others? Are you first and foremost a husband/wife? A mother/father? A bus driver, dentist, musician ... ? A Christian, Moslem, Jew ...? A nag, joker, dreamer ...? Be aware that any label puts limits on you. Today, experience how it feels to let go of the labels to rest in ‘I am.’ Feel the freedom, the spaciousness, the infinite potential of simply being. "With every breath, the possibility of a new aspect of self arises." -- Wayne Muller "As long as I am this or that, I am not all things." -- Meister Eckhart IP: Logged |
Mirandee
Knowflake Posts: 4812
From: South of the Thumb - Taurus, Pisces, Cancer
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted September 18, 2007 10:10 PM
 Though we all know our social security number by heart in the U.S. because should we ever forget that we could not prove to the government and many other institutions that we actually do exist. Sad that we are relegated to be a number.  IP: Logged |
MoonWitch
Knowflake Posts: 293
From: Somewhere Out There
Registered: Jun 2006
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posted September 18, 2007 10:47 PM
Is "I am" also a label?IP: Logged |
OMG Jay
Knowflake Posts: 360
From:
Registered: Sep 2007
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posted September 18, 2007 10:51 PM
No...because you are you  IP: Logged |
SolarJustice
Knowflake Posts: 159
From: USA
Registered: Sep 2007
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posted September 19, 2007 01:10 AM
everything you shared is so true.i try my best each day to not label others as well. nice subject, thank u ------------------
yes, im new -please be kind. IP: Logged |
fayte.m
Knowflake Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 08:02 AM
Without labels and numbers how can we know which Bob Smith? Is it Bob the guy in a wheelchair needing his disability check? Or Bob
the thief in prison? Or is he the Bob needing his retirement and SS check? Is he blind Bob, poor Bob, which Bob Smith? Is he little Bob with special needs?
We need labels.
Each Bob Smith is identified by a different number. Even if he legally changes his name, his number follows the paper trail. Even if he moves we can still find whichever Bob Smith we are looking for.
There are simply too many people on the planet to not have numbers and labels.
A form of negative and unnecessary labeling is the opinionated labeling, not the fact based labeling of folks. Such statements as;
People from Arkansas are all hicks. Or all boys from that side of town are hoodlums. or all fat people are slobs and pigs. The list goes on.
Fact based labels aid us as a society. Opinionated labels do not.
Labels are needed to serve people in the proper frameworks.
What chaos would reign if all important documents, legal papers, medical, social programs, drivers license, etcetera; were not using a numbering system or any labels.
What is wrong with labeling people thusly:
quote:
husband/wife? A mother/father? A bus driver, dentist, musician ... ? A Christian, Moslem, Jew ...? A nag, joker, dreamer ...?
Sure, if one personally only sees themselves within those limited confines they limit themselves.
My body is disabled...but I AM not my disabilities!
My body is fat, but that has nothing do do with me inside.
I write, I draw, I am a mother, wife, sister,
friend, etcetera; but I am more than that. Those are identifiers of what I do in my life and where I fit in society.
It is when we think we are only our labels that we fall into a label only trap.------------------
"Heaven doesn't want me and Hell is afraid I'll take over and start a rehab for the damned!"
~Judgement Must Be Balanced With Compassion~
~Do Not Seek Wealth From The Suffering, Or The Dire Needs Of Others~
~Assumption Is The Bane Of Understanding~
~ if you keep doing what you did, you'll keep getting what you got.~
Everything changes.
Fear not the changes.
"My body is physically disabled, but I am not my body nor am I its disabilities!"
}><}}}(*> <*){{{><{
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SattvicMoon
Knowflake Posts: 2282
From:
Registered: May 2007
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posted September 19, 2007 08:05 AM
quote:
When I let go of what I am,
I become what I might be.
Eternal Wisdom! Moreover, I have been labelled in a big way and I have lost out life in the process - and the day I decided to "unlabel" myself, I was freed from the perils of life. It helped me improve my self-worth, it helped me regain my concious vision - and a path to My S-Elf. Labels often restrict us, and only OneNess with The One helps us to remove it! And hey Religion itself is a label which divides and keeps us different! ------------------
SattvicMoonz Home Page and Blog IP: Logged |
Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 08:11 AM
Take a number and just wait in line folk!!!!LOL!!!Calling number NINE!!! Calling number Nine, please!!!! Next!!! IP: Logged |
SattvicMoon
Knowflake Posts: 2282
From:
Registered: May 2007
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posted September 19, 2007 08:18 AM
I dont have a number, Im a name! Fayte, we posted around the same time I guess, I see where you are coming from, I guess we are discussing about the "self imposed social labels"! ------------------
SattvicMoonz Home Page and Blog IP: Logged |
fayte.m
Knowflake Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 08:21 AM
quote:
Take a number and just wait in line folk!!!!LOL!!!Calling number NINE!!! Calling number Nine, please!!!! Next!!!
Indeed! How many folks would not keep their place in line while waiting to be called on? The more aggressive would barge ahead of the other folks. quote:
And hey Religion itself is a label which divides and keeps us different!
It is the way we treat others who believe differently not the labels. Even without the labels the differences would still exist.------------------
"Heaven doesn't want me and Hell is afraid I'll take over and start a rehab for the damned!"
~Judgement Must Be Balanced With Compassion~
~Do Not Seek Wealth From The Suffering, Or The Dire Needs Of Others~
~Assumption Is The Bane Of Understanding~
~ if you keep doing what you did, you'll keep getting what you got.~
Everything changes.
Fear not the changes.
"My body is physically disabled, but I am not my body nor am I its disabilities!"
}><}}}(*> <*){{{><{
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fayte.m
Knowflake Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 08:24 AM
SattvicMoon quote:
Fayte, we posted around the same time I guess, I see where you are coming from, I guess we are discussing about the "self imposed social labels"!
Yes! The self imposed self limiting labels we take to heart do indeed limit us! I segued because the non self imposed labels were brought up;
Social Security numbers and waiting in lines. ------------------
"Heaven doesn't want me and Hell is afraid I'll take over and start a rehab for the damned!"
~Judgement Must Be Balanced With Compassion~
~Do Not Seek Wealth From The Suffering, Or The Dire Needs Of Others~
~Assumption Is The Bane Of Understanding~
~ if you keep doing what you did, you'll keep getting what you got.~
Everything changes.
Fear not the changes.
"My body is physically disabled, but I am not my body nor am I its disabilities!"
}><}}}(*> <*){{{><{
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Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 09:07 AM
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fayte.m
Knowflake Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 09:23 AM
However, conversations and even getting to know anyone would come to an abrupt halt if when we asked;
Q. "So tell me about yourself!"
and one replied;
A. "I am"
Q. You am what?
A. I am me!
Q. Ok...what does that mean?
A. I am!
Q. Huh? Why are you being evasive?
A. I am not being evasive I am being.
Q. So what does that mean?
A. I am.
 Yeah, it would become futile quickly. ------------------
"Heaven doesn't want me and Hell is afraid I'll take over and start a rehab for the damned!"
~Judgement Must Be Balanced With Compassion~
~Do Not Seek Wealth From The Suffering, Or The Dire Needs Of Others~
~Assumption Is The Bane Of Understanding~
~ if you keep doing what you did, you'll keep getting what you got.~
Everything changes.
Fear not the changes.
"My body is physically disabled, but I am not my body nor am I its disabilities!"
}><}}}(*> <*){{{><{
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Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 09:44 AM
If 20 people that think they knew me, stand up and tell people who they think I AM and then I come along and tell all my take on it, (it is my story is it not) I AM sure there will be some common preceptions here. But I'm sure my story will be totally different then their's. I have the inside scoop!!! LOL!!! No matter what anyone says!!!LOL!!!
But the final story and labels always end with me and how I precieve it to be!!!!
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Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 09:53 AM
" I Am " What I believe to BE TRUE for ME, not others!!!!I don't live up to others expectations of WHO they think I should BE, to BE ME, thats for you and you are also FREE to Believe what ever You think I AM to BE, but thats not the real me, the me you see!!!LOL!!! One will never know the real me, unless one has walked in my shoes, at all times!!! IP: Logged |
Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 09:56 AM
It really messes others up, when I change MY SHOES!!!LOL!!!IP: Logged |
Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 09:58 AM
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Lialei
Knowflake Posts: 1887
From: blank canvas
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 10:03 AM
"So tell me about yourself"I think the reason for this question people ask, is more often their feeling out for comfort levels with another. They can gather information (not always of course, but often, labeling/defining in their mind as they go)
and discern whether the person is acceptable or not.
I usually feel repelled by that kind of instant intrusion. I don't think I've ever asked someone that question--feeling strange about being presumptuous and barging...but usually intuit as I go their readiness to reveal themselves to me in their own time, rather than have them feel put on the spot to define themselves in 10 sentences or less. I like when this happens in little bits at a time, more naturally, as I get a broader spectrum of who they are~ what they feel and think. It also makes me feel more comfortable to open myself to them, when I feel I've been given the consideration of complexity as well. Actually, if they replied, "I am"... I would probably be impressed, and smile, more at ease, thinking, "Cool, they get it."
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fayte.m
Knowflake Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 10:40 AM
quote:
I think the reason for this question people ask, is more often their feeling out for comfort levels with another. They can gather information (not always of course, but often, labeling/defining in their mind as they go)
and discern whether the person is acceptable or not.
Ascertaining acceptable, or is it ascertaining if compatible, and trying to find common ground? That is how I see it. What if they dance around for a long while and it ends up they have nothing in common and have just wasted each others precious time? That is rude.
I think of it more as a polite segue to start a conversation rather then just standing there saying nothing after the;
A. "Nice weather today!"
B. Yeah.
A. My name is Betty, whats yours?
B. Bob.
A. I like that name.
B. Thanks.Then they stand there blinking and blushing and eventually walk away from each other. If they replied "I am", I would think cool! Unless they continued to do that without saying nothing else. Then I might think, space cadet maybe? Or trying to be mysterious but no one is actually home. Or just plain smart A$$ and rude. Yeah if one meets another at the gym or class or someplace where it is obvious you share something in common, it can slide into a relaxed getting to know someone.
But in many cases it is not that easy.
I did not ask the 20 questions so to speak of my 2 exes before marrying them. I felt it would be invading their privacy or being too curious and pushy. I felt that they would feel interrogated.
Big freaking mistake!
Or another time...
got along great with someone, until I invited them over only to find out that not only did they hate cats but went out with a cross bow to kill them!
Nice person otherwise, but that one quirk I found utterly revolting! 
Another I talked to but did not meet in person for some time. We got along great until we met! My house was too shabby for them,. I was too fat for them and they had a dog who ate cats which they thought was funny. 
So I now see nothing wrong with starting off up front with questions.
------------------
"Heaven doesn't want me and Hell is afraid I'll take over and start a rehab for the damned!"
~Judgement Must Be Balanced With Compassion~
~Do Not Seek Wealth From The Suffering, Or The Dire Needs Of Others~
~Assumption Is The Bane Of Understanding~
~ if you keep doing what you did, you'll keep getting what you got.~
Everything changes.
Fear not the changes.
"My body is physically disabled, but I am not my body nor am I its disabilities!"
}><}}}(*> <*){{{><{
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Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 11:02 AM
" I should like to be a sunflower most of all”„Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are.” (1) Cat Stevens
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Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 11:08 AM
 FOLLOW THE YELLOW SUNFLOWERS!!!!IP: Logged |
Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 11:43 AM
SunFlowers for Alfred Roy!!!!! Thank you for forgiving
Hurtful things Ive done as a child
Adolescent or woman
Thank you for embracing a flaxen-haired baby
Although Im aware you had doubts
I guess anybodyd have had doubts Please be at peace father
Im at peace with you
Bitterness isnt worth cling to
After all the anguish weve all been through Thank you for the mountains
The lake of the clouds
Im picturing you and me there right now
As the crystal cascades showered down Strange to feel that proud, strong man
Grip tightly to my hand
Hard to see the life inside
Wane as the days went by
Trying to preserve each word
He murmured in my ear
Watch part of my life disappear Father, thanks for reaching out and lovingly
Saying that youve always been proud of me
I needed to feel that so desperately
Youre always alive inside of me
Now youre shining like
A sunflower up in the sky
Way up high Mariah Carey
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Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 12:34 PM
 I still believe that after every storm eventually a rainbow appears.... / Mariah CareyIP: Logged |
Solane Star
Knowflake Posts: 5378
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted September 19, 2007 12:47 PM
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Mirandee
Knowflake Posts: 4812
From: South of the Thumb - Taurus, Pisces, Cancer
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted September 19, 2007 12:58 PM
Some very good thoughts Sattvic, Star and Lialei. Yes, the article is addressing defining ourselves from who we are in the soul and not what we are in the material world. What I said about SS was really said lightheartedly. It most definitely is a necessary thing in the material world. As are our birth certificates and drivers licenses. I think that is just common sense in a country as large as the U.S. And is probably the case in all nations. We all need I.D. in the material world. Star, you made a very good point. People who may have known us for a very, very long time could not accurately define who we really are because they base their knowledge of us on their own judgments and perceptions of who we are. They do not see our souls. Mostly others miss the glimpses of our soul in our words and actions. I think that is because so many people are too busy judging for themselves our intentions which is futile because they can never know that. Mainly because most of us don't actually know our true selves and many, many people never honestly go inwardly and question their own intentions so they don't know their true intentions on the most part anymore than others do. That point about others not truly knowing who we really are inwardly is supported in that even those desciples who were the closest to Jesus did not have a clue as to who and what he really was until after his death and resurrection. Even then they were uncertain. When he appeared to two of his desciples on the road after his transformatin they did not recognize him. Thomas had to put his fingers in the side wound of Jesus before he believed it was really him. Even Mary Magdalen who was the first to see Jesus at the tomb after his resurrection did not recognize him. He said to her, " Mary, have I been with you so long and yet you do not know me?" She then recognized him when he spoke those words t her and fell at his feet. They knew him when he was in his physical body and based their knowledge of him on what they saw and perceived. But they did not know him truly until he had transformed and they saw the true inner soul of Jesus. Just my thoughts on the subject. In the Old Testament in Scripture God defined himself to Moses as I AM. When Moses asked God who he should tell the Hebrew people sent him God said, " I AM. Tell them that I AM sent you." IP: Logged |
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