This is a question that divides my friends, as well as the country. Why is this question so divisive? What drives each side to take such a strong stand? The real issue has nothing to do with masks. It’s tied in with differing belief systems and fears.
Each side is generally being driven by a completely different fear without realizing it. At the same time, each side is accusing the other side of acting out fear. Each side has data to back up their viewpoint, but the data isn’t important because it isn’t relevant to the underlying fear of the other side.
On one side there is the fear of loss of freedom along with the beliefs that masks aren’t effective, masks cause health problems, and the government can’t be trusted. By not wearing a mask, you are caring for everyone by refusing to start down a path that leads to a totalitarian government. On the other side, there is the fear of getting sick, the fear of infecting others, and the belief that masks are effective. By wearing a mask, you are caring for everyone by helping them not to get sick.
Since this is a new disease, there is a lot we don’t know about it. We don’t truly know enough to say whether masks are good or bad. What we can do is let go of fear and come together in unconditional love and acceptance for everyone regardless of what they believe. We can do our best to support others in making choices from love and not fear. Everyone has the right to make their own decisions about how best to live their lives and about what potential consequences they are willing to live with. Taking action in this way can potentially keep us healthy and keep a totalitarian government from forming.
Totalitarian governments form out of fear that convinces people to do things that aren’t good for them. The antidote to this is awareness. I can choose to wear a mask and choose to require them at Stones Throw without living in fear. It’s the choice I feel is best based on my research. When I wear a mask, I wear it out of choice. I will change my mind anytime it no longer feels like the most loving thing to do. I make my decisions based on what feels right to me, not what I am told to do. That’s the difference.
When someone tells us that we should or shouldn’t wear a mask, they are telling us that we can’t be trusted to make our own choice. They are being just as totalitarian and fear based as the government‘s mandate or lack of mandate. The right choice is the one that feels right to you.
Following this view, the government would not be setting laws around wearing a mask or anything else. We would all make our own choices. However, we don’t all have the time to do the necessary research. In an ideal world, we would have a government that we could trust to make the decisions that are best for us. We wouldn’t have to do our own research. We have allowed the government to create laws around seat belts and bicycle helmets. We’ve created laws around traffic lights and speed limits. Most people don’t break these laws because they trust that they are there to keep them safe.
If you get angry when people have different views from you, you are acting from fear. It’s important to stand up passionately for what you believe in, but do it from a place of non-judgment. Honor and accept the views of others. Change the world by uniting, not dividing.
Jasmine Gold is the director of Songbird Community Healing Center, a Toltec Mentor, certified Four Agreements Facilitator, and Reiki Master. She has spent her life awakening to Spirit in an on-going dance of discovery. Her most profound shifts have been through the Toltec path and a three-year intensive Dreaming program with don Miguel Ruiz. She would love to help you live the life of your dreams.