Prelude
As a child growing up in Ireland, I was christened as a baby, received my holy communion when I was 7 and my conformation when I was 12. My whole education was controlled by the catholic church, everything I learnt had to be approved by them. I was born into a religion that I have no choice over, their views on how one should live their life were forced on me. I was married off to some guy in the sky who was their to control and make sure I followed the rules laid out by him and his followers. This never sat right with me. For one I could never understand why everyone had to attend a cold grey building every week and give thanks for our life. Surely giving thanks should be done outside, in nature.
I never fit into this world, I really struggled to live up to these ideals that were forced on me. I couldn't accept that this was what life was all about. The only time I felt at peace was outside in nature, when I was free to roam and be who I really was. When I was in my natural state of being. I had no words for what I was feeling, or this aversion I felt for this forced way of life, I just knew it was not right, it not feel right to me. I struggled with this for many years, with this feeling that I had to make an effort, that I had to try and fit in. Yet I did not not want, but growing up in the countryside in Ireland I never really got to meet anyone who could identify with how I felt. So when I was old enough I left home and moved to London.
During all that time I was growing up in Ireland, especially as a teenager, I would have come across the word anarchy, but of course that would have been the view that the media portrayed and we all know how that plays out, Anarchy was and still is seen as being a movement that was violent, aggressive and dangerous. Something I could not and did not want to identify myself with.
So What Does Anarchy Mean To Me?
Anarchy to me means freedom, means being true to myself, staying true to my younger self that sought out that way of life that is not controlled or forced. It is living as naturally as possible, finding ways in which to tread gently on this amazing planet. Living in a way that respects all living things. It is continuously finding and searching out ways to improve the world in which we live in. It is studying permaculture and practising it in my day to day life.
It is moving away from a lifestyle that is governed by greed and domination. Living in a way that has no ties to any government, not taking any money from them, not relying on handouts in order to live. It is educating my children away from schools, educating them in freedom. It is not vaccinating my children, because they are not guinea pigs. They have the same rights as anybody else and they have the right to choose and live in freedom. They have the right to decide who they will be with out any coercion or interference.
Anarchy is having the freedom to live my life how I choose, to live in a way that does not cause any harm to anybody else and strives to leave the world in a better place. It is living in my truck with my family, not paying any taxes or bills. It is doing my up most to advocate a life of freedom but to not force mt way on anyone else.
Anarchy is living in a way that stays connected to the earth, that celebrates the changing of the seasons, that celebrates our relationship with the earth. Anarchy to me means celebrating our existence by the life we live. It is not forceful or aggressive, it is in harmony with the earth.
Of course we all know anarchy means no rulers, but there are some underlying understandings between those who do wish to live this way. We are respectful to one another and accepting, we do not always have to agree as my idea of anarchy is most likely not the same as others. But then that in itself is anarchy. But it is not aggressive or violent. It is about empowering people, supporting people to live their lives freely without any fear of retribution. It is people taking control of their own lives.
It is not being controlled, not being forced to conform, not being spoon fed all this bullshit that the media wishes to feed us.
It is being aware of what is happening around you, being aware of the injustices, of the corruption and making a stand.
It is deciding no I not support this, I will not feed into it, I will not help to keep those wheels of corruption and manipulation turning.
It is finding your voice and using it, it is not being silent, it is standing together with others and being true to yourself.
This is what anarchy means to me, please feel free to let me know how you feel.
8 Pillars of TribeSteemUp
All throughout life, there are those whose 'job' it is, to keep all the little peons in line. Make sure their lawns are mowed to some false set of standards, and all the little peons march in lockstep to the whims of whichever party is currently in power. Thanks for sharing your views and impressions...I, too, grew up in the Catholic church; so, while denying the paternalistic dogma of the ones who made the rules, I was able to embrace the mysticism in the deep ceremonies where incense allows the mind to slip into a state other than the here and now. In this world, but not of it...stay strong, my friend! Peace!
thank you @mamajeani, for your lovely feedback xxx
That was beautifully said. I think that would be our future if we could eliminate the interference by force in our natural good will.
Just like the body heals better and faster once you eliminate toxins from your diet. I imagine how quickly we might heal as a species if we could eliminate the toxins interfering with our nature.
thank you @truthabides I really do think we would heal quicker without all those external toxins being fed to us, very well said xx
I was fortunate enough to not be baptised. My mom had an argument with the priest just after I was born so she gave him a few choice words and walked away from the Catholic Church.
Another beautiful post, you always shine with your writing. :-) <3I completely agree with you and @riverflows summed up many of the same points I wanted to make on your post beautifully. How lucky you are to be living the life you do and well done to you for breaking free from the system and control of religion.
thank you @holisticmom for your comment and your friendship on here xx
You're so welcome and same to you too 💖💖
So beautiful @trucklife-family.. I would expect no less a beautiful response from your gorgeous heart. I can't imagine growing up with church! Our church was the ocean so we were lucky that way.
I love the way you are living outside of the mainstream rules and far more within natural laws, which seems to me what it's all about. Xxx
thank you lovely, yes it is all about living naturally, our natural state of being xx
This is beautifully said! I have to admit, I've never really considered myself an anarchist, but after reading this I think that I probably am.
thank you @rachelhanson, without wanting to upset anyone I think that if we strip away all the layers that have been put on us, we all might be xxx
I think you're right, haha.
Hi @trucklifefamily! I really enjoyed reading your entry. When I joined Steemit i hot a whole new perspective on anarchy. My perspective previous was of violence and caos. Probably fueled by media --- i don't know where the 'understanding' came from. It's refreshing to get new understandings on the topic. They are starting to sit better and better. Good for you for being true to yourself amid your roots of Catholicism. That takes bravery. Peace, love & joy to you and yours.
thank you @yogajill, yes we have been led astray by the media for quiet a while, I am happy that you are getting to see and understand the true meaning of anarchy xx
Yes! I am happy about it too! It's very empowering. I was raised pretty wild i'd say, but my grandma introduced me to a little Christian Sunday school when I was a kid. I became exploitative in my youth and baptised myself into the LDS church. It didn't take long to see through their ploys of concrete. To me God was every-bit in the mountains and nature and far stretch from being in their man made concrete! Geesh! 😂 as if.
Well said. Only one exception...”anarchy” doesn’t mean no rules, it means no rulers!!! :)
thank you @definethedollar I have amended that xx
I wish everybody felt the same way. I respect the way you are living with your family and the values you are teaching your children. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on what Anarchy means to you. It resonates with me.
thank you @cecicastor, I hope you and your family are doing okay, my thoughts are with you all xxx
Thanks, @trucklife-family. We are okay. Things have gotten worse. We are unable to leave our homestead and my son and his family cannot leave their house in Managua. The country has been shut down effectively since yesterday. Nothing is moving except the guys with the high powered rifles.
Beautifully put Aishlinn. What is apparent is that we all have slightly different views on what it means and that's great, as everything in life can be a personal choice.
thank you Sam xxx
Nice response! I think freedom is a great focus for this answer!
I copies my post to Facebook and it started an epic debate that is still going days later! Most people seem quite unable to comprehend that we can still have things work without government! Most also think we wont have rights and there would be chaos.. great that we have an opportunity to try to set the record straight!
I can imagine the debate, I really wanted to just get the truth out there and the reality of what it is about, I love that some people are living an anarchy lifestyle but have no idea because the term has been so twisted, how dis empowered some are to believe they could not survive without being ruled or controlled. we are so capable, we are a living example of how it can happen, maybe not totally but we are definitely able to show what is possible xxx
Thank you for this Aishlinn, it actually aids a bit in my continued healing. I am also an ex-victim of catholicism, along with 8 yrs of catholic school. No wonder I was such a weirdo for so many years! All those years of feelings of total disconnect, and darkness. Although it did give me this: I am a passionate proponent of Anarchy, and in probably almost all its beautiful flavors!
My best to you,
-Logan
thank you Logan xxx
Speaks for me! ;)