reflection

Covid-19 is a wake-up call
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Covid-19 is a wake-up call

I put a question to you, and I invite you to have a real think about this:
If we did not have TV / Social Media / Radio / Newspapers – How would we have responded to Covid-19?

The answer is probably different for everyone. But please, do have a think about this question. How would the virus have affected you if you hadn’t got the constant news feed?

It depends on one’s life circumstances, heritage, and how affected one was by this new virus. If one lives in a crowded place, the experience is probably much scarier than in a more remote living area. Some of us may not even have noticed that there was a bad killer virus out to destroy us.

If one has health issues which affect one’s immunity it is probably constantly a worry when a virus goes round as it is always possible that it may cause severe illness or death.

If one is healthy and leads a healthy life style it is very likely that one gets through it okay; maybe bruised, but most certainly okay.

I remember getting the seasonal flu once or twice a year during my childhood and early adolescence. It was always scary for my parents, because I got them really bad. I was always in bed for two weeks and struggling big time through it, and my mum was super worried. Over time, I’m sure I built up good resistance in my system; and from a certain age I never got the flu again; only normal, manageable colds since. I never felt I needed a flu jab. I’ve always somehow managed to lead a balanced life style, thanks to my mother teaching me to eat well.

Vaccinating our children and youth seems wrong to me, as we’re telling them their immune system can’t cope by itself. The message to them is, “live in fear”. Living in fear weakens our immune system. Where will this lead?

I understand that we need to care about and protect the vulnerable, but as far as I know we’ve always done that. Most people are caring and loving. Before this Covid-19 narrative of fear and panic it was actually normal to lose a loved one to a virus, especially a respiratory one.

Since when is it not okay anymore that old people die? What age is actually okay for them to die? Within a very short period of time, our average dying age has risen to quite a high one. Why is it so important to keep people alive at all cost? Is dying not okay? Why? Of course it is devastating. Is it not part of life, though, to deal with illness and loss? Would there be any life without death?

If we as a society keep patching up every ailment instead getting to the root of our health issues and keep vaccinating preventatively, where is this going to lead?

Our planet’s biggest enemy is the human with his greed. We’re all greedy – me included. Why can’t we own that and actually really work on it?

For nearly two years we haven’t been living in order to avoid dying or seeing loved ones die. Is that the answer?

And how is a continuous vaccination programme which makes big pharma bigger and richer (and the beneficiaries much more privileged) the answer to a virus that has changed to a less severe one? Omicron is clearly less severe than Delta. What is this telling us?

What this bug has taught me is that systems are failing. It seems to me that we need the vaccination programme only so that the health care system doesn’t get overwhelmed. Why then not investing in a better health system?

Apparently some medicines are showing good effects in treating the lurgy. Why is not more known about this? Why is that part not more invested in?

Why is there only one narrative out there? Namely, that this virus is a killer and dangerous. If that was so, then mother nature would be quite stupid. A virus can only live if its host lives. I don’t believe that nature is stupid. She shows us in a million trillion ways how intelligent she is.

Nature is about survival of the fittest. Just look at wildlife and you see this very clearly.

So, for me the question is, how can we learn to be more fit.

Our life styles have made us sick and vulnerable. So, is the answer not to invest those billions in better life styles?

It’s not only the amount of money being shoved into patching up. I also see an enormous amount of rubbish being produced and growing our waste mountains exponentially with PPE and all we need for this vax programme. We’re literally causing our planet more grief by trying to control something that humans simply cannot control.

Of course we’ve had big casualties. But this is because we’ve all been not conscious enough about how to live well and be well. We’re still smoking, eating shit, drinking too much, overworking, working in jobs that are bad for us, not addressing our traumas etc etc.

I think the virus is calling us to come back to who we are meant to be – just another species which is called to be in harmony with nature. We are nature.

If we didn’t think (or listen to our thoughts), we would naturally just make sure to live in harmony with nature. Like other species, the weak and vulnerable die sooner than those who are stronger and more adaptable.

What do we want? Do we want humanity to evolve in harmony with planet earth and nature, or do we want everyone to live to 100 and further at any cost?

Our society, our systems are built on quick sand, and we’re simply feeling the effects of it. It’s a collapse – the fruit of our seeds.

Why not concentrate on finding solutions which are beneficial to all rather than forcing us all into submission to systems that are failing? Humanity’s self destruct will only happen if most of us agree to go on as we have and to follow orders from above.

Hey – we have power! We have brains to work this out – collectively.

If we feel humanity should go on, the only answer is to work in harmony with nature. To listen and be in tune with nature. The way we’ve been dealing with crisis is leading us to self destruction. The governments are leading us to self destruction (including themselves, by the way).

Fine, lets vaccinate our vulnerable. But please leave our children out of this! Their bodies will deal with new viruses. They are young and equipped to do so.

And yes, there are people who can’t get vaccinated. Why not pour all those millions into the research, protection and the care they need?

Constant and ongoing vaccination is not the only answer to this virus.

I know only three people who were very ill with Covid-19. All three were not vaccinated, but they survived. Yes, it was hard and ugly. Yes, recovery took long, but they’ve all three come through okay. I know of only one unvaccinated person who died with Covid, and I know it was a shock to the surviving kin. Yes, it is a tragedy. Life doesn’t feel fair.

Who said life was fair?

I truly believe that we with our limited brains cannot really decide what is fair and what isn’t. I think we need to leave this to our mother planet. She definitely is bigger than us, and much much wiser.
Humanity is either going to evolve or self destruct.

I don’t believe that submitting to big tech, big pharma, stupid governments led by self serving clowns and allowing ourselves to live in a virtual reality is what Earth has ‘in mind’ for us – it is not what I think evolution is. To me this smells of self destruction.

I think we all have a choice to make:
Being lead by our hearts or being led by our greed, fear and need to be comfortable.
I have seen so much loneliness, and I’ve witnessed so many being let down by the systems, it is heart-breaking.

We are all called to wake up to what is at stake.

We need to accept that we are finite. We have a life span. It is up to us how we live that life. But living is what we all want. Right?

Well – I am definitely not going to put my life on hold anymore. I will live, even if it means dangerously.

I will resist vaccination mandates and passports. If I have learned one thing during these last 20 months or so, it is that I won’t be liked by everyone, and I can’t please everyone. I also can’t save myself or anyone else. It is literally impossible.

What happened to us through Covid-19 is division.

I stand for unity, kindness and peace. And I know that we all have different needs because of where we come from and where we want to go. All I can do now is to respect my needs and yours and to decide for myself what is right for me and what is not. I can’t decide that for anyone else.

I have experienced the distancing and divide within my own friendships and families. So far, there are not many casualties for me. I am lucky. I am not only lucky, though. I also am courageous enough to stand for my beliefs, but also to keep an open mind and heart.

I choose not to believe anything written or streamed out there anymore. I only believe what feels in alignment with my heart. I should have done just that 20 months ago. But that is another story.

Wherever we stand in this challenging time, I wish us well. I really do.

Silvia Siret

My next Systems Constellations workshop is going to happen on 29th January, 10 am – 5 pm, in Abingdon-on-Thames. If you experience family, friendship or work issues, a constellation is very insightful and often healing.

Here’s the link to my Eventbrite page: https://OxISC.eventbrite.co.uk

Capitalism – A potent ground for the growth of fear?
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Capitalism – A potent ground for the growth of fear?

When this advert kept coming up on my facebook timeline, I noticed I felt triggered:

Silvia Siret, Therapy, OxISC

When I’m triggered, I become active. So, I wrote something on facebook to express my thoughts. Following that, I wrote a blog post here, on this very page that you’re reading right now. A few days have passed, I’ve calmed down, got my thoughts together and I’m now much clearer about what happened for me. So, I’ve deleted it all and start again.

At first, I just ranted about me not wishing to see adverts like that, as I believe they talk to my conscience with a bit of a preacher attitude: “Save yourself, but most importantly, save everyone else!” I’m not a person who enjoys unsolicited advice from anyone, really. And I also don’t see myself as a person that doesn’t care about others.

Then – while I was writing – my post turned into a rant about capitalism. Some people immediately applaused me, some were just left confused about what this advert had to do with capitalism. I get that.

I’m going to try again.

I think that the above advert is a phenomenon of our time (playing with people’s fears – I get to that later), but also, at least to me, that facebook has become a powerful tool for those who want to change (shift) people’s opinions. Why? Because this platform reaches billions of people all over the globe.

With lots of money one can pay for advertising that reaches lots of people. So, imagine you’re a millionaire or huge organisation, and you have a mission. Let that mission be, to remind the UK to get the flu vaccine done. Who is the millionaire or rich organisation behind this advert? Probably the NHS. But how do we know who is behind that advert, really? I guess, it’s possible that some pharma companies somehow financially support the NHS to put out such an advert. I don’t want to start a guessing game. I simply don’t know why I’m seeing this and who posted it. It could be that the advertiser is really just caring and believing in the cause. It could also be that this advert is used to maintain or boost the health system as it is. Vaccines save lives. The problem I have with it is that the advert kept popping up on my timeline, although I am not someone who gets a vaccine to avoid having the flu. Yes, I can tell it to go away, but I did see it, and I did feel annoyed. I had my children vaccined when they were young. So, I’m not against vaccines. I just never felt the need to have one against flu, because I’ve had them a lot as a child, they took about 2 weeks to go away, and I haven’t had the flu since I was about 15. I consider my immune system to be fairly good, although I do get the common flu once or twice a year. I’ve been choosing to let my immune system deal with bugs, germs and viruses. Somehow I’ve also been learning from every illness I’ve had. They’ve always stopped me, made me suffer, made me think, made me live more healthily and balanced. I have been growing through physical and mental illnesses through deeper insight and understanding about myself, my habits.

When I saw the advert on the top of this page, I jumped to the conclusion that this is just the beginning of how we are all being told what to do, by addressing our conscience. “Save yourself from the flu, but more importantly, save others from getting it.” How can I do that? How can I save others from getting the flu? If I have signs of a cold, I always consider it could be the flu, so I stay at home, take it easy, throw in the vitamins and/or lay in bed and get through it. Once the symptoms are very mild, I usually get up and going again, slowly, and eventually I expose myself back into the community. On reflection, I feel this is a sensible approach.

Of course, my mind went a step further very quickly: “They’re starting to prepare us for the Covid-19 vaccine.” And that’s why I was triggered, really, I think. If there was a vaccine for Covid-19 available within the next few weeks, I would not want to have it. Why? Because I wouldn’t yet trust it. Why am I panicking about having to get vaccined? Because there are voices out there (mainly on facebook), who make me think I might be forced to be vaccined. Or at least, that I will feel forced to have a vaccine, in order to be able to get a job, become a college or university student, use public transport, and so on. So, I realised that my trigger comes from the fear of being told what to do.

As an adult and a responsible human being, I don’t like to be told what to do, anymore. And, to be quite honest, it has never felt good to be told what to do. You could say, she’s got an authority problem. Yes, I’ve had an authority problem all my life, but I am actually working on it. I don’t like to be told what to do and not. Do you? What I am looking for, all my life, is guidance not stop signs or go signs.

The advert on top of this page, didn’t tell me what to do. But it reminded me that I might be an irresponsible person if I don’t get the flu vaccine. And that, I think is my point. This is what’s lying underneath it for me. I also don’t like to see adverts like that on my timeline, because they seem to drip-feed into me that I am not responsible if I don’t follow the health system’s advice.

What has all that got to do with capitalism? Well – as I said – only very rich people or organisations can afford to put out a thought-provoking advert like the one above. If I, for example, wanted to put out an advert for my cause, which is to stop and reflect on your overall health situation before you buy into pharmacy and pills, I’d need to pluck up a lot of money to create such a powerful advert that reaches millions of people. I can, at the most, invest about 50 pounds per month to boost posts.

Why is this worrying me, and again, what has this got to do with capitalism? Well, it worries me because I believe that the majority of human beings are not aware enough to see through the system of manipulation that has created separation and oppositions in a way that seems to rock the world right now. I am now not sure how safe it is to openly admit that I don’t get vaccinated for the flu. I’m in fear of getting silenced.

Have you seen “The Social Dilemma”? Watch it, because those who co-created facebook and other social media are telling us what it was always about, and that we are all herds of sheep if we don’t wake up.

Wake up to what? I would like to give you the answer to that, but I can’t. For me, waking up means, to start seeing a bigger picture. It means starting to question traditions, habits, world views, so called truths and so on. To me, waking up means to stop being a sheep and becoming an observer and space holder.

Capitalism has led humanity to selfishness, fear, huge gaps of wealth, poverty, inequality and playing with people’s disadvantages.

facebook is one of the platforms on which capitalists can use their power of wealth to keep us in the dark and mislead us. Yes, I agree, it is also a great platform for those who spread the light. facebook is not the enemy. It’s our capitalistic world view. And I could go on about that one. But I’ll do that in another post.

I hope all of this makes sense. Do feel free to comment, but if I get abusive comments I might just disable the comments.

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Goddess Liberation

Hi all,

it’s day four of me being bald, and I’ve had some time to catch up with my heart. Because I’ve had a horrible cold, I’ve been home most of the time, not doing much at all. This has given me the time and space to feel into the new me. I’ve been looking into the mirror a lot. It’s always strange. Never seen me like this before. I’ve had very short hair twice before, in my early and in my late twenties. I remember on both occasions having this same feeling, like wanting to let go, making a new start. But I’ve never been bald. This one was radical. During the last days my scalp felt odd – very sand-paperish – not a nice feeling at all. Today it’s feeling a little nicer, a bit like dry moss on an old rock. When I now look into the mirror I feel good, really good, about myself. Not only did I achieve to raise over £2,000 and quite a bit awareness for A Band of Brothers in only 21 days, but I also received so much kindness, so many wonderful messages, and my husband has been looking at me in awe for the last 4 days (sho shweet). Wonderful. I did it for me. I needed to let go of the beautiful hair when it looked its best. Seems bonkers, I know. But I am on a self-healing path; finding my growth edges and  shedding layers is what I do. It is very important to me that I walk my talk, that I’m an integral, authentic person. As someone who supports people to let go of old patterns and habits I need to lead the way first and be an example. Right?

Today I was asked twice if I wanted my long hair back. And twice I replied, “I don’t think so, I like myself more like this. It is more me.” The long hair was pleasing others more, in hindsight. To be quite honest with you, long hair felt like a pain to me. The washing, the conditioning, the combing, the hair in my face (urgh – hate that feeling), especially when walking outside with the wind blowing, also the pony tales (not very flattering and giving me headaches), and not being able to wear a hat when having a pony tale. Annoying. All that just to look feminine? Nope. I think I’m done with it. I am feminine. It’s not my looks that make me feminine. It will be interesting to experience how my new look will change people’s perception of me. I think they will see me better. The hair was kind of in the way between me and others; like a barrier.

Anyway – I’m a happy girl. And besides – this whole hype was in order to raise awareness for ABoB. I am so proud that I have done something for them. Because of them my husband is a lot happier in himself, has male support; has more access to his needs and emotions; is able to talk feelings with me and his ‘brothers’; has created deep, long-lasting friendships with some of them; and last but not least he has become an even more amazing partner to me. After 2 years with them he is now ready to mentor younger men and will soon attend another ABoB quest weekend. I am so very proud of him and blessed to love and be loved by him.

All I want with every fibre of myself is to motivate and encourage others to also be bold, courageous, brave. I do believe that if you don’t play you won’t win. Yes, it can back-fire sometimes. But without giving it a go you’ll never know. I certainly have landed on my bottom a few times in my life, but I far more often felt like winning the jack pot. Do make sure, though, that you have created a support network around you first. It’s important to be held by your community of like-minded people. It can feel very lonely if you do a courageous act and have no one to cheer you on, back you up and hold you during the transformation.

bald, bold, brave, courageous, Silvia Siret, OxISC, change, positive change

Silvia, the liberated Goddess

PS: Huge thanks to Amanda Tracey, who did the shaving and holding space for me. She’s my big hero. Her page www.goddessliberation.com is worth checking out. Lots of great events on offer for women.

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My work life

I’m at home with a sniffy nose, a lot of coughing, a painful stomach and a headache. I chose not to go to work this morning. I always think I should not call in sick – feeling guilty and full of shame for being not well. Anybody else feeling like that? Also, when I’m ill, I feel so very ill and so very upset and low.

Anyway, I wanted to write about my work life.

2 years I’ve been with this department now. The time for change has come, ….. I thought. I’ve just had a radical haircut, which is usually an indicator for change in my life. Two years is enough. Isn’t it? No, don’t get me wrong. I love (most of) my colleagues, and (most of) my job. It doesn’t pay very well, but – compared to other reception/admin jobs – it pays pretty well. There is no obvious reason why I should leave. Well – that’s not quite true. It’s the city I’ve got to commute to and from; it’s loud and full of tourists and students – overcrowded, I’d call it. At least I’ve changed to three full days from five half days. But still, a minimum of 2 hours commute on a work day? Okay, it gives me time to read (on the bus). And – really – an hour to work is not that bad. Is it? It’s like I’m looking for a good enough reason to change jobs. My husband calls me a job junky. I think he’s right. Maybe I’m just addicted to changing jobs after it has become routine. Maybe I’m just addicted to change anyway???

I’ve been looking, locally, but nothing compares to my current position, neither the pay rates nor the stuff I’d have to do to earn my wages. And – will I ever find such a lovely team of colleagues again? I’d be taking quite a risk.

There’s something else bugging me, if I’m honest. When I came to this country, in the beginning of 2005, I did not intend to work in admin much longer. I’d had enough of it when I left Germany. I actually hated being a PA/secretary/admin assistant. The whole admin crap – I didn’t want it anymore. And here I am – still doing admin. I wanted to be a full-time therapist. That’s what I wanted. In eight years I have not managed to earn a living from being a therapist. I am now not earning a living from anything I do. The part-time job in admin doesn’t pay enough to live – at least not in an independent way. I’m contributing to the bills, that’s it. The other days I’m spending hours and hours trying to get my name out there and trying to convince the public that constellations are fantastic and that I am a great therapist.

Drawing a balance: I failed.

Is that the deeper reason I’m at home, feeling pretty grim? I think I feel sorry for myself. Yes. I feel sorry for myself. “Poor little Silvia! You are a loser! Let’s face it. But I do feel sorry for you, I really do.” Is that what I need?

Wuh, – – – wait!

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I am not a loser. And I have not failed. Let’s face THAT, shall we?

I have changed jobs a lot, because I was never happy in them. I finally found a job, in which I am feeling happy enough to stay. I may only contribute to the bills and not earn enough to make a living, but I could if I wanted to. I don’t need to earn more than I currently do, because my husband and I have an arrangement. More than the income I need the time to build my therapeutic practice. And that is what the 2 other workdays are dedicated to.

I learned a lot on my way, and I learned that it is important to give energy into the things I’d like to grow. I also learned that I have most of my energy in the mornings. I know I haven’t made a rocket start; I’ve taken – I had to take – the little side roads, and I still am. On the way, I got to know exciting, supportive people, and slowly but surely I’ve been getting my name out there and still am. Don’t forget: I had to adapt to a new country. I left all my friends and family behind and had to start all over again. I’ve built friendships, strengthened my relationship, was a mother and bonus-mother to five children. I fostered two young people and I looked after dogs. I simply had no time to make a rocket start.

I know what it is: I’m sitting in this space that is empty. My kids are no longer here, the dogs are gone, too. I caught a bug. I’m feeling crap. That’s why I get this sense of emptiness. I misinterpreted it as failure.

I’m not failing. I never failed. I only ever did as best as I knew at the time.

There is so much to learn, still. But I’m on my way. I may not be the rocket therapist, but I may be the one who has been there, done that. And – once this bug has left my body – I’ll be my old sparkling self, inspiring and full of kindness and love.

Watch this space!

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Self esteem

I saw my mentor today. He felt slightly irritated about me feeling great every time I’m seeing him, and his view of me was that of a very busy woman being all over the place and at the same time appearing quite calm all the time. He must have sensed something else, something going on underneath that self-confident woman, especially when it came to the topic ‘money’. Building up my business means I have to apply a value to my work. I have always had an issue with money – I can’t remember feeling rich or well off, ever, or being able to receive money without feeling guilty. I always had this view of myself being a poor church mouse, and that this might possibly never change. I always think of myself not being able to ask for real money for my service. Am I worth it? Am I allowing myself to be successful, wealthy, better of than my parents, am I allowed to fail if I ask for real money? Today, being confronted with those questions, I suddenly became that – maybe – 13 year-old girl again, that was constantly being told she wasn’t good enough, had to change, had to do better, was inappropriate, wouldn’t achieve anything in life etc. I felt tearful, small, but also touched by this young spirited girl, who just did not get the assurance that she needed to become self-confident or build self esteem. I realised that my path was to build that up on my own by creating circumstances, which challenged me and made me reflect and grow. It actually started with my birth, when my mum had to give up and was sedated, and I was pulled out with forceps. My life, if I look back, has been a little like that. I’ve always pushed myself towards becoming a therapist, but I couldn’t do it without being pulled so often. Does it have to remain like that for the rest of my life? My mentor thinks, no. But I need to find that place in me that is able to get me where I want to be, to then fill that vacuum with self-esteem. Am I worth it? Am I valuable? Am I loveable? The only way of feeling worth it, valuable and loveable, is to re-assure myself as often as I can, that I am all that – until I feel it. The aim is to be independent from other people’s judgement about me. Isn’t it?