Gravity Shirking for Mental Wellbeing

Gravity shirking’s meaning is a question whose answer is in progress. Let’s discover the explanation.

What is gravity?

Gravity is a force on this earth which draws us to the earth’s surface, and below. It is a law of physics. Gravity applies to anything that has mass. The mass of the entity in question pulls on the mass of any other entity with mass, creating the unit of weight (pounds or kilograms).

Gravity in the universe keeps the objects in the universe in their respective orbits. Gravity also pulls on light. The pull of gravity varies slightly from place to place on earth based on the mass underneath a given spot on the earth.

Why Gravity Matters

No pun intended but gravity matters. The mass of an entity made of matter affects the gravitational pull on the entity by the earth or other larger body (larger being in relation to mass not volume).

A gravitational pull from earth on a fire engine causes the fire engine to remain on the surface of the earth, standing on the ground. A very important piece of matter which we want to be available whenever we have a fire, the fire engine is designed to roll on the earth’s surface. The design of the fire engine does not intend it to float in the air. So, the fact that the fire engine succumbs to gravitational pull is a good thing.

Planes Fly, Despite Gravity

Planes fly because they are designed to rise above the earth. In order to do this, planes need to counter the gravitational pull of the earth. They do so by being propelled into the air and countering the effect of air resistance. The act of rising above the earth requires energy to nullify the effect of gravity.

Recall the scene from “Wicked” in which Elphaba challenges Glinda to join her and free herself from the power of the Wizard in Oz. Glinda perceives the situation differently than does Elphaba. Glinda believes that Elphaba should apologize in order to be able to stay in Oz, be able to be with the Wizard. Elphaba deems she should capitulate to no one, especially not to a person whom she sees as not good (The Wizard) and that this is her opportunity to free herself from the shackles of a false story. Thus, Elphaba decides to defy gravity and to fly away.

We can fly. We can defy gravity.

The Story of Life and the World’s Mental Wellbeing

According to the words of Don Miguel Ruiz, author of books on Toltec wisdom, including The Four Agreements and The Three Questions, each one of us has a unique perspective. Consider the variables which influence our perspective on life. Our upbringing, our cultural values, the impact of our primary language, our country of origin, the countries in which we were raised, our spiritual background, our religious views, the states and regions of a country in which we have lived, the community to which we feel affiliated, the institutions which provided instruction and education to us during our formative years, the generational experiences of our ancestors, and many other aspects of our life experiences influence how we view the world. The lens through which we experience life on this earth is distinct and unique to each one of us. We are unique as individuals.

Our individualistic approach intersects with the collective approach of the community, creating a perspective that only the individual can truly understand. The challenge is to put oneself in the shoes of another person in order to get a taste of what it is that motivates, drives, inspires, or constrains the view of that person. Only by taking on their lens can we perceive what they see and appreciate what may be underlying their take on a particular situation or a specific topic.

Then, compromise and critical thinking skills join hands, ushering in harmony and civil discourse. Then, I can say: I see your point of view; I understand where you are coming from; I grasp your take on the situation; I am willing to listen and to hear your opinions.

Why I Defy Gravity

Watching the antics occurring in the world, I am amazed at how inhumane and egocentric we have become as a species. I will not cater to the demagoguery of much of the sociopolitical encounters occurring in this day and age, masquerading as political debate and social discourse. Playing upon emotions, enlisting a visceral and reactionary response, and parading sporty attire and trite mantras do not constitute civil discourse.

The current of inflammatory remarks, stereotypical caricatures, and superiority infused diatribes is succeeding in dividing us. Dehumanizing anyone gets us nowhere. Reducing a person to what you wish to believe about that person encourages hatred, demonization, and victimization.

I will not fall prey to the predator and I will not cave into becoming a predator.

I choose not to play by the rules of a game organized by someone else, someone whose motives are less than laudable. Nobody can stop me and no one will bring me down.

I am going to stand by values and ethics. I will continue to treat each person as a person with unique characteristics, deserving of humane treatment and consideration for their perspective on life.

I am going to continue to be interested in languages, cultures, customs, and distinct lifestyle choices.

I will not be shamed into submission to anyone, anywhere.

I remain committed to experiencing life as an opportunity to learn from everyone, even those who admit they harbour hatred and animosity towards me.

Our Mental Wellbeing Depends on Interdependence

I am a firm believer in interdependence, social connectedness, and mutual respect. We need each other. We need other living beings, whether they are human or not. And, those other living beings need us. As humans, we are obligated to protect and preserve Mother Earth: this is my belief.

So, I am going to shirk the nonsense in society.

Gravity Shirking for Mental Wellbeing

I am shirking the pull of following the crowd whose leader is the Pied Piper of Hamelin (a European legend familiar to me). Others may be led away for not paying the price of the services of the Piper (who, according to one version of the legend, rid the town of Hamelin of its rats during The Plague) and may permit their children to be led astray.

I am defying gravity.

Wicked- Defying Gravity, Jacob Fisher version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iafwY4x4_-U

I invite you to join me. Join me in conversation. Join me in discussion. Join me in song. Join me in cleaning up the refuse in the community. Join me in cooking up a buffet for all of us to enjoy.

I may be your neighbour. I may be the cashier at the grocery store. I may be the mail carrier. I may be the person who delivers your home appliance. I may be the person experiencing homelessness at your local shelter. I may be any of a number of people in your community or in the world. Let’s connect amiably, because that is what community members do.

Be kind. Be open-minded. Lend a hand in harmony with fellow human beings and in honour of Mother Earth.

Life is too short for shenanigans.

Selected References:

NASA Science. (Updated June 3, 2024). What Is Gravity? Accessed online on June 11, 2024, at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/what-is-gravity/en/

Ruiz, don Miguel; Emrys, Barbara. (2018). Las tres preguntas: Cómo descubrir y dominar el poder de tu interior. Harper Collins Espanol.

Ruiz, don Miguel. (1999). Los cuatro acuerdos: una guía practica para la libertad personal. Amber-Allen Publishing.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is not meant to substitute for a consultation with your healthcare team.

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