Justice: A Reflection

I think the majority of my life has been rooted in understanding justice and healing from injustices done to me that were not resolved by those who had power. I think many of my knee jerk reactions as an adult are rooted in those injustices long ago. To stand up in the name of justice requires tact, grace, dignity, wisdom and peaceful confidence born of the virtue assertiveness. 

This past year was rough because of the adjustments I had to make professionally as a teacher and many of the things I was seeing registered really loudly with my "NOT JUSTICE" alert system. There is also not a very constructive, responsive system set up for legitimate concerns to be voiced and rectified. As a result of this, I have become very impatient with the administration here. I also became a complainer and backbiter/gossiper which was never the type of person I was. I realized, before going home on vacation, that I was angry all the time. I pondered on it and came to the conclusion that it was a build up of frustrations and anger with injustices that I perceived. I could produce a LONG list of things that I know are wrong, regardless of culture, but I don't want to rehash stuff. What is done is done. 

To make this year better for me personally I need to start recognizing what I have done when there was no recourse. When there was no support. How did create justice out of injustice? I did it in my classroom. I made sure my students felt safe. That they had predictable patterns to learn in. I went over and beyond to make sure my dear Asma, my blind student, became familiar with the classroom and I adjusted my teaching style to make sure she was included as often as possible. I also used my gift for writing to compose emails to people in administration that voiced my concerns in a respectful but firm way. The best I could do was write and I always got a reply even if there was no action on their part, I knew someone had heard me. 

I have become less patient in this environment where patience is the paramount virtue that is needed. I guess I need to start letting more things go, especially those things I cannot do anything about, and address  those things that I can bring to light. So, over the next few days, in preparation for another year of craziness, I will reflect on the year past and begin to look at the different paths to justice. 

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." 

Virtue Pick 2: JUSTICE

Justice ~ Justice is being fair in all that we do. We continually look for the truth, not bowing to others' judgments or perceptions. We do not backbite. We clear up problems face to face. We make agreements that benefit everyone equally. When we commit a wrong, we are honest in correcting it and making amends. If someone is hurting us, it is just to stop them. It is never just for strong people to hurt weaker people. With justice, we protect everyone's rights. Sometimes when we stand for justice, we stand alone.
 ~ The Virtue's Project

Justice in practice: I think for myself. I do not engage in prejudice or backbiting. I make fair agreements. I make restitution for my mistakes. I honor peoples' rights including my own. I have the courage to stand up for the truth.

So, this is the virtue I picked at random to focus on this week. When I look back on my life it has been my sense of justice that has been at the root of most of what I have done. My name, when broken down in Arabic means justice, Jeong-Eui in Korean. This past year most of the anger I have felt has been as a result of things I felt were unjust. For me, the test is not seeing injustice but in my response to it. So it makes perfect sense that the very first virtue I picked was Assertiveness. It is the most complementary virtue to apply when I am in a position to speak on the injustice of something. So, this week I will do my best to be mindful of the practices involved in being just in my life, including not backbiting and gossiping. Gotta make some changes.

Assertiveness: Becoming Mindful of Gifts

Yesterday I started something that I hope will become routine and that is choosing a virtue for the week. I am hoping this routine will become habit because Lord knows I really need to be getting more positive information in my brain. My first virtue is assertiveness. Yesterday I focused on the practice of speaking my truth with peaceful confidence. I really didn't get much opportunity to do that but it helped to have it forefront in my mind. In addition to, "I speak my truth with peaceful confidence", I will add, "I value the gifts I have to give".

"Dost thou reckon thyself a puny form, when within thee the universe is folded?" ~ Imam Ali
Today I will also give myself the chance to ponder on the gifts I have that will help me to loose my temper a lot less often. I will also take the time to become mindful of these gifts and speaking my truth so that when I am confronted with something that I can become angry about, I approach it in a different way.

Virtue Pick I: Assertiveness ~ Speaking My Truth

ASSERTIVENESS~

Assertiveness is speaking one's truth with peaceful confidence. It is discerning the song we were given to sing and using our talents as gifts to the world. WE have the courage to speak for what we believe is right. We tell the truth about what is just. Assertiveness comes from knowing our own worth, and honoring the dignity of who we are.We stand on our own holy ground, and set boundaries without guilt. We never beg or make demands. We ask for what we need by making simple, positive requests. We treat ourselves with respect and expect respect at all times.

In practice I will speak my truth with confidence. I will value the gifts I have to give. I will stand up for what I think is right. I will honor my own worth. I will set clear boundaries. I will know I am worthy of respect.

My aim is to focus on at least one of these practices everyday. I have come to finally realize the only way to 
weed out some of these negative habits, thoughts and behaviors is to focus on virtues and being of service.


Today I will focus on speaking my truth with peaceful confidence. I will look for opportunities to put this practice in action.

The Inner Battle

I have come to realize that being brave includes travelling a different path and risking "falling behind" others. I own nothing of consequence only my choices, my adventures, my hopes, my desires, my projects that have yet to find full expression, and insecurities that impede the realization of my potential.

I have to make a concerted effort these days not to look at the lives of others and feel a sense of "less-thanness". I see people with successful businesses, professor-ing at universities with phds, raising children, owning homes, directors of dance companies, choreographing dance combinations that I could not imagine in my wildest dreams and my life seems so small and inconsequential.

Making an effort to prayerfully and with submission to God's Will, focus on myself and the work that needs to be done by me is my only safeguard against the jealousy born of ego. I have held myself back from doing many things because of my fear of ego but I have only fed the beast. By not following my intuitive voice I leave myself feeling unfulfilled and open myself to comparison to others and envy. When a person is not focused on their particular work they are looking at others do there's. I certainly do have my own visions to fulfill and at no time can I loose this vision as it means losing myself in many ways. I pray God that I have the openness of heart and mind to perceive His will as I move forward.