An awesome interview with Oprah Winfrey on Netflix. Uncannily I found myself in a whorl of echoes that is me. Thanks Michelle. Thanks Oprah. Each quote is me, mine.

Inspired to change my mirror. Find my self whatever it be. Greet myself with gladness and fuel my own light. I have been otherised for sure. This inspires me yet again to find my own mirror! Find my light and let NOONE Dim IT.

The Light We Carry, the book written by Michelle Obama

Some quotes:

She talks of Slings and arrows, otherising. Even as the First Lady!

Othering is a phenomenon in which some individuals or groups are defined and labeled as not fitting in within the norms of a social group. Othering also involves attributing negative characteristics to people or groups that differentiate them from the perceived normative social group.It is an “us vs. them” way of thinking about human connections and relationships. Othering is a way of negating another person’s individual humanity and, consequently, those that are have been othered are seen as less worthy of dignity and respect. On an individual level, othering plays a role in the formation of prejudices against people and groups. On a larger scale, it can also play a role in the dehumanization of entire groups of people which can then be exploited to drive changes in institutions, governments, and societies. It can lead to the persecution of marginalized groups, the denial of rights based on group identities, or even acts of violence against others.

Let go of the need to prove yourself to others because the peoples bar is so low for you. People who continuously underestimate and talk down to you, talk less of you, misjudge you because of the differences. Judged, downsided publicly, accused, right or wrong.

Find my light and not let anyone else dim it. Become positive, the attitude of “ You don’t think I can do it. I will”

Work my way into visibility, represent the truth of what I always have been. Lots of us, people who feel different who are proving their way into relevancy and are not making missteps.

I cannot prove myself out of somebody else’s mirror if they are choosing to see me in a different way. Their poison cannot be mine. That cannot be my focus, according to limits that people are trying to set up in the world.

Reevaluate your life and connections. If anyone has an opinion of you that is so low, it is time to let go.

Practise to be kind to ourselves, greeting ourselves with gladness, fuelling our own light and managing our own fears. Some people out there will never see us. If somebody is that locked into their smallness , they are struggling with self doubt struggling with a level of not enoughness.

Find compassion for that and then keep living my life as real, as truthfully as I can, not let that bog me down.

~ Michelle Obama

  • Are these naysayers the guardians of morality. Making others look into their mirror.
  • Can one be forced to conform. Is there a RIGHT, a White?
  • The other person’s poison cannot be anyone else’s
  • Let go of the need to prove yourself
  • Find your own light and let no one dim it!

 

“Every day, you have the power to choose our better history—by opening your hearts and minds, by speaking up for what you know is right.” What is you!