“You must be the change you wish to see in the world” –Mahatma Gandhi
There’s no question that the Occupy Movement is making an impact on the world in terms of catalyzing human collaboration in new ways and creatively challenging the status quo. 
Regardless of the protests’ immediate impact on regulations, the community spirit and grass roots empowerment is palpable and contagious. Many of us can’t help but be moved by such a vast variety of people uniting their voices to birth a vision for a new world.
Still, real change that is sustainable is also an inside job. We are each a hologram and microcosm of the collective, and the inequities of the world will only be fully resolved when we heal the inequities of our own projections. Even if you don’t fully subscribe to this point of view, just imagine what kinds of transformation could be possible in your own life by applying some metaphors of the Occupy movement to your personal development.
First, we can recognize that there are parts of ourselves that run the show in our lives and those that we dis-empower. There are elements of our personalities and life experiences that we prefer to identify with and therefore give more power and glory, and fractions that we either take for granted or do just about anything to avoid.
The time is now to get in touch with the parts of ourselves that we ignore and oppress. To give them a voice and a platform. To allow them to meet and share and learn and grow from each other, and to INVITE them all to the round table of our conscious being.
By lovingly tending to shadow parts of ourselves and our lives, we transmute them into gifts that are longing to emerge and grace our world.
Unfortunately, though, the “one” in charge is easily tempted to take the quick fix easy route, and foreclose on our opportunities to authentically grow. And since many of us are busy “occupying ourselves” with things like television watching, web surfing, shopping, eating, drinking, gossiping, and various other addictive habits, its pretty easy to distract ourselves from our unmet potential and power. And its certainly a LOT easier to blame others, right?
The next time you are having a difficult time in your life, consider that it might be these marginalized parts of yourself trying to get your attention! Instead of beating them into submission and locking them away lets support their human microphone and listen to what they have to offer.
In my last blog article, I illustrated an example of turning toward a part of myself –neediness & helplessness –that most of us usually prefer to cover up and minimize. By doing so I was gifted with big breakthroughs in my own life and in the lenses by which I viewed the world.
If you are ready to be a stand for your inner democracy and to “occupy yourself” and your life more fully, I invite you to be a part of my community. Subscribe here and receive free tools and inspiration for your movement.
