ReSOULutions

Happy New Year everyone. It’s the 12th day of the New Year and here I am. Some would say that I'm late in posting. Am I?

Every year people use the start of the New Year to implement change, with a long list that is usually abondandoned by February or way before that. Why? In my experience the list is usually unachievable, unrealistic and lists lots of great things, but no plan of action to accompany the fabulous things written on lovely paper, in your best handwriting. I am sure at some point we have all experienced the overwhelming feelings of failure, as we reflect over what we did and didn’t do within that year.

For the majority it is this feeling that has led many to abandon resolutions all together. This is not my reason. At some point years ago, I woke up to question how wasteful and absurd it felt to reflect on my life at the end of 365 days and then on the same day, plan what I wanted for the forthcoming 365 days. A new day is born with the rising of the sun and therefore each day provides the perfect opportunity to reflect, change and implement what we want.

This yearly rite is not to dissimilar to what I call “living for the weekend” syndrome, which refers to people who are unhappy within their 9-5 positions and just look forward to getting smashed on the weekends. Alcohol and the rest are merely blocking out tools that suppress the pain and gripes for the moment. The cycle starts all over again on Monday morning. The overwhelming feeling of hope does not need to be delayed until New Years eve, which is symbolised by fireworks and unity. Everyday is a celebration, the only difference is there aren’t fireworks to mark the occasion.

I therefore see the benefits of what I will call ReSOULutions, the awareness of what is going on for you internally now, consciously acknowledging how you deal with the feelings and thoughts on an external level. I don’t care what anyone says, ignorance is not bliss. Reflection, awareness and action are the keys on the same ring holder that promotes change. Hiding the keys until the end of the year, restricts the accessibility to freewill and various choices. No choice is still a choice as existentialist would argue, but what a waste of possibilities that is.

As there is no time like the present I am not late in my posting, just as you are not late in thinking about your ReSOULutions. Move away from goals influenced by external factors and begin with internal acknowledgement and awareness.

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© 2011 Lisa Bent

The right to die. Who has the Power?

Assisted Suicide or Euthanasia is a topic that has returned for debate and will continue to do so. However the voices of those who are directly affected haven’t been heard with as much volume. Medicine and science have evolved to what some may say an alarming rate. Abortion, IVF, Cloning and GM products for example have now taken a some what acceptable position within today’s society. Acceptable in the sense that it is happening and laws are in place. What makes Assisted Suicide or Aid in Dying, the preferable term for many and reserved for the terminally ill, so different? 

The topic is usually met with confusion or immediate opposition for numerous reasons which may include Britain’s Christian/Catholic infrastructure and the likelihood that many are unable to put themselves in another person’s shoes. I also think the Existentialist notion that we all have death anxiety, is an important thought to acknowledge and one that can and should be included in future debates.

When an animal is ill “putting it down” to avoid further suffering is viewed as humane, yet the same view is absent to the terminally ill sufferer who has expressed a wish to die. Not wanting to play God springs to mind, though isn’t this already happening with the deciphering of DNA, Cloning and even doctors giving patients an estimation of how long they have to live?

An alternative perspective from other religions is missing and would be beneficial to highlight. Spiritualists for example believe that we are all spiritual beings having a human experience, as a result death is seen as a release from the body, the end of an experience/journey and not the terrible end of life. This is my belief system and one which makes sense to me though I respect other views. Either way terminally ill patients pro aid in dying, need to tell their story and those that judge need to try and see it from the sufferer’s point of view. If you had a debilitating disease what would you want to do? Now imagine that right being taken away from you on the basis of shaky moral high ground. At the end of the day it is the sufferer that has to live with the condition and feelings, so surely the rights should remain with the individual.

I personally think that the time has come to look at different views in order to help create a different world. For this to happen effectively I feel we need to incorporate spirit into mind and body, as it is lacking in all current medical conversations within the western world.

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 © 2010 Lisa Bent