As I was walking home the other night, I found myself walking along Bloor St W, past all the ritzy stores. I noticed all the adverts, the beautifully clad dummies, the expensive watches and bags, I came to a realization. Now my realization might not be your Truth, it might not resonate with you, and that’s ok. If this does resonate with you, it might contribute significantly to your own healing journey, as it did mine.
We live in a post-colonial capitalistic society. The cogs of society run for the generation and spending of money; in its’ most basic function, we earn money in order that we can exchange it for things we need to live. In this capitalistic society corporations that sell us goods believe growth in their business is a huge measure of success, better shares, happier shareholders. To make more money, they have to sell more product or reduce costs, or both.
My theory is that in order to motivate us to want to buy more stuff, to get us to want to line up excitedly for the latest dodad when the current dodad is doing a fine job, they needs us to feel as though we or what we have are somehow less !
Around us the advertising, the latest products, nudge us into feeling that we are not good enough the way we are. So many of us in Europe and North America, areas where capitalism has had a stronghold for several generations, feel that we aren’t as good as that other person, too fat, too old, too dark, etc. The endless subliminal messages that surround us reach deep inside, and we who have been programmed since we were young, don’t even notice the bombardment.
Did you know that in Asia, they don’t have levels of systemic self-hatred anywhere near cultures like this one we are drenched in ?
The good news is you can unplug from this. Know that this is a game and you don’t have to take part. Know that you are perfectly fine as you are, in fact you are the best version of you that there is. From time to time, check in with yourself and ask yourself, ‘how do I feel right now?’, ‘how is this effecting me?’, ‘what’s the message for me here?’ Remember the things that have value for you, perhaps family, friends, music, dance, nature and spend more time in those environments. By doing more of what makes your soul sing, you are living authentically, and you are helping to heal our society simply be being you.
You are good enough. In fact, you are Divine 😉
Relational Psychotherapy & Hypnotherapy Toronto 