Protest is Good for You
Protest is Good for You
By Donna Henes, Urban Shaman*
I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
—Jewel, from "Hands"
The media likes to portray peace, environment and human and animal rights protesters as a fringe element of whining malcontent sickos teetering on the margins of proper society. The truth is that those who step forward to speak their mind are happier and healthier folks than most.Protesting is not complaining nor is it sending out negative messages.
Pro means "for," "in favor of." Test means, "to speak," as in testify and testimony. So, protest actually means, "to speak for."
Protest is a completely positive endeavor.
Albert Einstein said, "The world is dangerous not because of those who do harm, but because of those who look at it without doing anything…Nothing that I can do will change the structure of the universe. But maybe by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all causes -- goodwill among men and peace on earth."
A new study by John Drury, professor of social psychology at the University of Sussex in England, shows that it is good for you to protest. Even though protesters may be depressed about the state of the world, their physical and mental ailments improve dramatically as a result of taking part in a group effort for change and the betterment of conditions.
Involvement in social causes and participation in political demonstrations banishes sensations of isolation, discouragement and impotence and replaces them with an exhilarating awareness of connectedness, well-being and empowerment.
When people participate in large-scale protests they get swept up in a communal mood of optimism that feeds their feelings of hope. They believe that their actions can help to change the course of history.
"Collective action can therefore be a life-changing, uplifting and life-enhancing experience," concludes Drury.
A small body of determined spirits
fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission
can alter the course of history. —Mahatma Gandhi
So let's get out there this crucial week and shout out our disapproval of the deadly policies of this administration. Let us project, instead, our own healthy, positive vision of the possibility of peace, justice, and the true American Way. And may we each manifest this vision in the purity of our thoughts, words, and deeds every minute of every single day.
Join us in spirit and support from where ever you are.
With utmost blessings of Peace,Mama Donna*
(c) Permission is granted to copy, reproduce, re-print or promulgate in any manner this copyrighted material so long as correct attribution and contact information is included.
*******************************
Donna Henes, Urban Shaman, is a contemporary ceremonialist specializing in multi-cultural ritual celebration of the cycles of the seasons and the seasons of our lives.
She is the author of The Queen of My Self, The Moon Watcher's Companion, Celestially Auspicious Occasions, and Dressing Our Wounds In Warm Clothes, as well as the CD, Reverence To Her: Mythology, The Matriarchy & Me. She is also the editor and publisher of the highly acclaimed quarterly journal, Always In
Email: CityShaman@aol.com
http://www.DonnaHenes.net
http://www.TheQueenofMySelf.com
By Donna Henes, Urban Shaman*
I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
—Jewel, from "Hands"
The media likes to portray peace, environment and human and animal rights protesters as a fringe element of whining malcontent sickos teetering on the margins of proper society. The truth is that those who step forward to speak their mind are happier and healthier folks than most.Protesting is not complaining nor is it sending out negative messages.
Pro means "for," "in favor of." Test means, "to speak," as in testify and testimony. So, protest actually means, "to speak for."
Protest is a completely positive endeavor.
Albert Einstein said, "The world is dangerous not because of those who do harm, but because of those who look at it without doing anything…Nothing that I can do will change the structure of the universe. But maybe by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all causes -- goodwill among men and peace on earth."
A new study by John Drury, professor of social psychology at the University of Sussex in England, shows that it is good for you to protest. Even though protesters may be depressed about the state of the world, their physical and mental ailments improve dramatically as a result of taking part in a group effort for change and the betterment of conditions.
Involvement in social causes and participation in political demonstrations banishes sensations of isolation, discouragement and impotence and replaces them with an exhilarating awareness of connectedness, well-being and empowerment.
When people participate in large-scale protests they get swept up in a communal mood of optimism that feeds their feelings of hope. They believe that their actions can help to change the course of history.
"Collective action can therefore be a life-changing, uplifting and life-enhancing experience," concludes Drury.
A small body of determined spirits
fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission
can alter the course of history. —Mahatma Gandhi
So let's get out there this crucial week and shout out our disapproval of the deadly policies of this administration. Let us project, instead, our own healthy, positive vision of the possibility of peace, justice, and the true American Way. And may we each manifest this vision in the purity of our thoughts, words, and deeds every minute of every single day.
Join us in spirit and support from where ever you are.
With utmost blessings of Peace,Mama Donna*
(c) Permission is granted to copy, reproduce, re-print or promulgate in any manner this copyrighted material so long as correct attribution and contact information is included.
*******************************
Donna Henes, Urban Shaman, is a contemporary ceremonialist specializing in multi-cultural ritual celebration of the cycles of the seasons and the seasons of our lives.
She is the author of The Queen of My Self, The Moon Watcher's Companion, Celestially Auspicious Occasions, and Dressing Our Wounds In Warm Clothes, as well as the CD, Reverence To Her: Mythology, The Matriarchy & Me. She is also the editor and publisher of the highly acclaimed quarterly journal, Always In
Email: CityShaman@aol.com
http://www.DonnaHenes.net
http://www.TheQueenofMySelf.com
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