Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Seven of Wands - The Struggle of the Underdog


Unlike here in the Seven of Wands, where we see a competitive and evenly matched fight, the struggle of the underdog is all too often not a fair fight.

Our world seems to be in a battle that has historically resulted in socioeconomic problems affecting marginalized individuals within our society. As well, environmental and climate change are all serious issues that usually involve the underdog, fighting government and corporate power. Unfortunately this battle revolves around financial gain and exploitation.

My grandfather who was a humble and very wise man always said, 'The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. ' I do believe this to be generally true, but this does not mean that we can afford to cease to have hope and no longer fight the good fight for the principles of social justice.

 The worst thing we can do, is to sit on our laurels because we have become apathetic, cynical or fearful in demoralizing defeat. We must have the conviction of our beliefs, have courage and learn our value as human beings, knowing that we all deserve and have a right to fight for justice and dignity. We must advocate for, and have faith in ourselves and in others.

The saying, ' It's a dog eat dog world ' may certainly appear very true in our competitive society.  There will always be envy and competition and it is something we must accept.
 I am not saying competition is a negative thing, only when it is destructive and infringes or exploits the rights of another. We need to support, and encourage each other in loving kindness, in order to make for a kinder,  more hopeful world, in service of peace and freedom.


Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers,
But to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain,
But for the heart to conquer it.
Let me not look for allies in life's battlefield,
But to my own strength.
Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved,
But hope for the patience to win my freedom.
Grant me that I may not be a coward,
feeling your mercy in my success alone,
But let me find the grasp of your hand in my failure.

                                                                               -  Rabindranath Tagore

 

2 comments:

Ellen said...

Sometimes it is so hard for humans to overcome there instinctive survival mode and be more compassionate for the weak and needy.It is tempting to become complacent when life is good; why bother with the less fortunate????
We have a lot to learn as a people. A handful of individuals are doing great but the rest is often unwilling to change
Great poem/prayer. I've googled the writer. He looks so special and wise

Unknown said...

That's for sure Ellen, so true. When I think about the difference between East and West, I think about what Mother Terese once said about the material poverty of the East, and spiritual poverty of the West. We are monetarily rich in the West but spiritually poor, and the East are monetarily poor but spiritually rich. I know this isn't always cut and dried but it seems to be true in many respects.