Living Beyond The Bounds of Co-dependence And Independence (Part II)
Shahina Lakhani
In the last post as we played with the idea of independence and Co-dependence we found out that both are like two sides of the same coin. A victim who is co-dependent may become a survivor who believes in total independence and a false belief that says, "I alone matter."
Today we are going to explore another option. It is a path less traveled. It is a path taught by many world figures. Nelson Mandela is a prime example of a world leader who successfully used this principle to bring his country out of the darkness of racial segregation.
In the movie Invictus, Nelson Mandela says in one of his speeches,
"… we have to be better than that. We have to surprise them with the compassion, with restraint and generosity. I know, all of the things they denied us. But this is no time to celebrate petty revenge. This is the time to build our nation using every single brick available to us. Even if that brick comes wrapped in green and gold (Referring to the white population of South America)".
Nelson Mandela's message of compassion and generosity is what united a nation that had been separated for generations. He stood up for generosity and compassion. He also spoke against domination of any one race over another.
It is this message of generosity, compassion and coming together as human beings that takes us beyond the bounds of co-dependence and independence. It takes us beyond being victims and survivors into the realm of interdependence.
Interdependence is a way of living that takes us beyond competition to mutual respect, harmony and peaceful coexistence. It takes us beyond the fear and scarcity consciousness of the victims and survivors, of the eliete and the unprevilaged. It has its roots in the truth of an abundant universe.
Through interdependence we can allow ourselves and others to begin living powerfully. Knowing full well in our hearts that it is through the full expression of who we are as human beings that each one of us can thrive in our own way.
We then begin taking people around us at their face value. We stop attaching our wellbeing to how the other behaves. So we no longer have hidden agendas and a need to manipulate others for our own gain (consciously or unconsciously).
In this time of wide spread wars and anarchy created by our need for domination, coming together with compassion and generosity as people and nations is the only is our only hope.
Interdependence with compassion and generosity is the only way we can get back to the basics of human kinship (sisterhood and brotherhood) and thrive. This way we can experience peace within ourselves and in the world around us.
This path of compassion is our return to love. It is the very essence of our creation.
Yours in love, peace and gratitude
Shahina Lakhani
Shahina Lakhani RN MSN Author, Poet, Speaker, Holistic Life Change Strategist. She advocates using holistic strategies in personal empowerment, care of the sick, the dying and their loved ones. Shahina Lakhani has been a nurse for more than 25 years. She has worked as an educator, Nurse Practitioner and a Hospice Nurse. Her passion is to empower people to Live Powerfully and experience Wellbeing until their last breath.
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Loved this article and never heard of "interdependence" phrase. I can see its real value. I appreciate you opening my eyes wider. Great post.
Thank you Shahina! YES…true 'Community Living'…kinship, compassion, generosity!!! …Great article..Hughie
Great article! Compassion and generosity should be at the core of who we are and definitely can provide a peace in our lives. Thanks for sharing!
As the old paradigms are revealed and discarded, we move forward to embrace interdepence with ALL life, planetary, intergalactic, all of it.
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