Reflecting is a concept that many people struggle with. In our fast-pace world with everything at the tip of our fingers, reflection is something of a lost art. The rise in popularity of mindfulness is an indication of how much people are craving to get in touch with themselves. To be present in the moment. To be aware of surroundings, feelings, emotions, thoughts, time and space. And then to let it go long enough to rest. To breathe. To centre.
What of reflection though? What of self-reflection? What of cultural reflection? What of sexuality reflection?
What does reflection even mean? Getting technical, reflection is defined as serious thought or consideration. Some words that resonate with reflection are contemplation, deliberation, rumination, musing and cogitation. Yep… sounding pretty deep.
As a culture (western culture), I’m not sure we’ve done reflection well. And I’m not sure we’ve had the capacity to encourage our teens to do it well either. I have a feeling we’ve either been too harsh or too liberal. Either demanding perfection and presuming everything is black and white – where if we do A + B, the outcome will = C every time. OR, taking the Que Sera, Sera approach. Whatever will be, will be. No need to reflect – stuff happens. It’s someone else’s fault anyway, so why reflect about my part in the equation?
Reflection requires taking a step back to pause. And when it’s related to people, culture and outcomes, it’s looking at whether the thoughts, attitudes and behaviours we’ve adopted and accepted are doing us good… or not? Reflection is taking the time to understand – think deeper – and ask the tough questions.
This blog – Sexuality Reflections – challenges, questions, goes deeper and inspires readers to reflect about sexuality, particularly the messages we (individually) and within western culture have given our young people. A time of development that should be filled with wonder and exploration in order to embrace meaningful connection (the foundation for healthy relationships), has met full frontal with an industry that has reduced sex to a one-dimensional act intent on reducing women to a degraded object. It should come as no surprise that our young people are struggling with this shallow version of sexuality.
Who knows… maybe it’s time within the realm of cosmic awareness to centre, get grounded and refocus on the gift that sexuality is in order to truly embrace the healthy richness it has to offer.
What tough questions do you think ‘culture’ needs to ask about sex? What is the good, the bad and the ugly about sexual attitudes, behaviours and expressions that need more thought and action for change? And what messages do you think we need to ask our teens about sexuality to reflect upon as they carry the future of our culture on their shoulders? Send me your thoughts and I will open up the discussion for readers. Who knows – maybe you have a missing piece to someone’s puzzle that will release personal freedom. Parenting and inspiring teens is a privilege. To journey with them and open the realm of sexuality reflections is sacred.
