Peaceful rebel

Source: appleday.tumblr.com via Kat on Pinterest

Further to a little convo I had with my good friend kerri about her skull design top, (i do not like skulls but kerri shared how for her they symbolise rock n roll & a spirit of rebellion.)
I was thinking about how my gentle photos & what i am drawn to share, may not always show all sides of my personality. How softness does not always appear strong, and strength does not always appear gentle. Yet they are the ying and the yang, the masculine and the feminine balance within us.

It may not appear that I am a rebel in the traditional sense of the word, but infact there's more of that side in me than it seems. Especially if the word rebel is interchangeable with that of free...as I'm definately a free spirit (despite physical lack of freedoms) And it takes a balance of both strength and gentleness to be that way.

Source: littledoeislove.com via Kat on Pinterest

So i continued thinking about what rebellion is and what of it applies to me. If its about not being comfortable with a lack of freedom for self or others, (yes) how it's about seeking for new ways to break out of old restrictions (yes) how it's about not just listening to what society tells you you are worth (yes) how it's about somehow taking a different path to the norm, being interested in different things (yes) Maybe it's also about not caring what others think - in a good way. (Yes that's me also)
Where it may stray in to not caring about your actions, influencing or hurting others themselves - then of course that's not me, where its about being self centred, violent, or anything like that, in order to get what you want, again no way me. That's an imbalance of strength & not true power.

Source: Uploaded by user via Kat on Pinterest

So I wrote a few short lines....
Being
a rebel
Is about
not accepting the way things are
as the way things have to stay
If you feel they are unjust or restrictive
You rally against them, you thirst for change
Why should your freedom to express be contained in anyway
Why should you be told the thoughts you must have
Don't just go by the rules
If you want to break out and think differently, do do do!
It's the only way that things ever evolve

Carve your own niche
Take your own path
Be your own self, not the self
that society things you ought to be
Go beyond definitions placed on you
Go beyond roles, labels, age
Go even beyond geography
To be truly free,
You must break free of those ties
And if that takes a bit of rebellion
then so be it!

But letting go of what is
You need to find something more
Something to replace that structure you broke away from
Else you feel a freedom
But it has no place to take hold
And contain meaning
It risks blowing away from you
You need to root yourself in a whole new way
To something that means something
That speaks to your heart
Something you hear from within
Rather than take and believe from without

Touch the eternal in you
Reach the place where everything originates
Connect to that level of sameness
And then draw back into you
And sense your uniqueness within that oneness
Then you have a source to sustain your individuality

Then
Strike out
Dance to the beat
But make it to your own rhythm
And do it with inner strength, conviction, intention

Never does it need to be with attack on another, don't build yourself up by knocking others down
make sure your empowerment & progress is non violent, & respectful to all life, for that life is an inseparable part of your own soul.
Peacefulness has more power than at first can be seen
Gentleness more strength than we yet realise
Despite all our differences and ways of expressing who we are
we have more to unite us than we have to divide us

Source: oh-soboho.tumblr.com via Kat on Pinterest

Peace and Love and a little bit of rebellion (smile)

Kathryn x

Comments

[Kerri Jones]

I love everything you said here and I will revisit and reread this many times...what you speak about is so true...funny, as I've gotten to know you better...the most prominent quality I see in you is strength and now, rebellion {“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” - Albert Camus}.

Because, you my friend, are a spiritual leader, in every sense of the word, your thoughts, ideas and unselfish acts of sharing encourage all of us to think for ourselves, to find those thoughts that set us free from our -unfree world. Yes, that's you. As Maya Angelo said “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” You are that butterfly, rebelling against negativity each day to reveal a strength so powerful that it touches the hearts of all of those around you, and in turn makes them that much stronger. xx

[Kathryn]

Kerri,
What an angel you are to me to say those things and share those beautiful quotes. I am learning so much and inspired in all that I get to share with you my friend.
How special this comment is, one of the best I have received at Secrets ever!
I was blushing a little on my first read of it and felt so apprehensive to post it up, as I dislike anything that makes us sound egotistical or full if our own importance. But then I thought it is ok to be full of our own worth. And to take in the full acceptance of praise from another.
So deepest gratitude for highlighting this and for honouring the teacher in me ...a role I maybe am not used to but which seems to be a big part of my path.
I am reminded of the quite by Marriane Williamson
"Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do"
Playing, writing, sharing and even teaching, whether big or small, I just foolish my heart and speak from it and its an honour if it resonates with anyone out there.
Makes me feel I have connected and interacted with life and that's SO precious.
Love you sweets,
Kathryn xxx

[Kathryn]

Oops iPhone auto correct! I meant follow not foolish ;)

[Louisa Rose]

Can I just say, I agree whole heartidly with everything dear Kerri has written and expressed so perfectly. You resonate strength Kathryn, to all who have the pleasure of knowing you. You truly are a natural spiritual educator, an inspirational free thinker and I know I too, will be returning to read these words over. You have a gift for cutting through the 'noise' and writing words that touch on the purity and love within us all. Love & Light dearest friend xxxx

Louise

[Kerri Jones]

Perfect quote from Marianne that applies well to this. You can never go wrong when you speak from the heart...I think, no matter how revealing that can be.

[Kathryn]

Louise

I love that "cutting through the noise" phrase.
I wonder if I can do that because of the time I have had to spend in the quietness. Maybe that creates a link.
I know that it turned down the noise of the everyday ness, and enabled me to "hear" what lies beneath that. Thankfully, as I most needed it.
I like how when i hear people's kind views back on what I write, it can in turn teach me further.
It comes full circle. I wonder if whenever we create or give or share, or teach, that happens.
Love you,
Kathryn xox

[Kerri Jones]

Full circle. Yes, I definitely think so!

[Susannah]

Beautifully, wonderfully said.
xxx

[Georgianna]

You are a wonderful writer, Kat. You have great skill as a visual communicator but I feel your writing is what most speaks from your heart, and it is beautiful and full of inspiring ideas.

lots of love,

G