It is fascinating how your home land or family can cast a shadow on your life. It can seem like there is a purposeful attack to dim your light. The light is even denied. That could be because they know you and know you are just another human. We are just humans, but every human is having a spiritual journey and are the energy and light of God. Our humanity is noticed by those that know us best as every person struggles with the complications of life.
There are so many bands that have tried to make it in their home, but if they go and try it in another place like Europe or Japan, they are a sensation. They become huge and when word gets back to America let’s say, suddenly there is interest. Jimi Hendrix and his band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, initially found greater success in the UK before breaking through in the United States. Hendrix moved to London in 1966, where he formed the band and quickly gained a reputation for his extraordinary guitar skills and innovative style. Hits like “Hey Joe” and “Purple Haze” topped the UK charts before he became a household name in the US. Other bands like The Velvet Underground and The Stooges found fame in Europe long before their genius was recognized in the US.
Even Jesus was denied his perfection and authority in his home. This is an interesting parallel. Jesus’ story, as told in the Christian tradition, does follow a similar arc Initially, when Jesus began his ministry, he found more acceptance and recognition outside his hometown of Nazareth. The people in the towns and regions he traveled to like Galilee or Samaria were more receptive to his teachings and miracles. Jesus initially faces skepticism and lack of acceptance in his hometown of Nazareth. When he returned to Nazareth and began teaching in the synagogue, he faced rejection and the people there doubted his Wisdom and miracles because they knew him as the son of a carpenter and were familiar with his family. The people there found it hard to believe that someone they had known as a simple tradesman could be the Messiah. They could not reconcile his humble origins with the profound teachings and miracles he was performing.
Jesus said in Mark 6:4, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” Jesus was more readily accepted and revered in other places where people did not have preconceived notions about his background. It is also noted that in Nazareth, the people questioned his authority, saying things like, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:55). Again, they couldn’t reconcile his ordinary background with the extraordinary claims he made.
On the other hand, in places where people didn’t know him well, there was more openness to the teachings and the miracles he performed. In Galilee and Judea, Jesus gained a significant following due to the authority with which he spoke. People from these areas were more open to his message and saw him as a spiritual leader and healer, rather than just a local carpenter’s son. It’s a theme of outsiders often accepting something new before those familiar with his humanity will. It is the “big in Japan” idea, where people from outside an artist’s home country might see something special before the home country does. This dynamic highlights a common human tendency to overlook or undervalue individuals based on their familiar or humble origins, while being more open to their merits when they come from elsewhere. Of course, it must be stated that the story of Jesus’ life is also one of gradual recognition of his perfection or divinity, with people in various regions gradually coming to understand who he was, sometimes after initially rejecting or misunderstanding him. This happens in life. It is even comical how the hometown jumps on the bandwagon after notoriety is achieved and claims them as their own. It suddenly bolsters their self-esteem and someone may even brag that they saw them before they were big.
So, why is it that you can be big in Japan or make a name in another country before you are recognized to be special in your own country? I think it is the nature of our small self, the overwhelming communal conscious rooted in fear that dominates our thinking. We have a separation problem. We have a self-esteem problem. Our perceived worth is threatened if one of us makes it big. What does that say about me? I should have that fame and fortune. They are no different than me! It is not fair that they have the amazing and beautiful partner like they do. They don’t deserve the “luck” they are having because they got the promotion and are doing better than you in your perception.
Jealousy is rooted in fear. Other emotions rooted in fear tend to be born and related to jealousy and will spread like anger. Jealousy is an emotional response to a perceived threat. Maybe it is a fear of loss, a sudden sense of inadequacy, or the conjured possibility of being replaced. Jealousy can be a fear of not being “good enough”, again a self-love problem. When we compare ourselves to others and feel we fall short, we may fear that we are unworthy of love, attention, or respect. Jealousy can also be driven by the fear of being replaced or overshadowed by someone else. This is common in relationships, friendships, or even your job. Our minds often imagine worst-case scenarios, amplifying feelings of fear and jealousy by making assumptions.
By understanding that jealousy is rooted in fear can help us address our issues of inadequacy. Knowing our True Worth will reinforce our self-love. We are all children of God! No one is better or worth more or loved more by our Creator. We all are divine spirits having the human experience we are supposed to have for our actualization to be more like Christ. Building self-confidence in our Knowing, improving communication in relationships by not making assumptions, and addressing our underlying insecurities will allow you the skills and tools to correct jealousy. Practicing Trust, mindfulness, and self-compassion can also help alleviate the fear that fuels jealous feelings.
There are so many reasons one can be “big in Japan” before a person is accepted and loved by his home. We see it all the time when a wife has been telling a husband some helpful information for improvement and the husband cannot hear her, but when a co-worker he respects mentions the same thing the husband takes notice. Maybe he buys the book and comes home to tell his wife what he discovered.
Judgment by those that know you best and the issues of inadequacy, not Knowing your true worth, the fear of loss and other issues all contribute to a feeling of jealousy which can become other emotions like sadness or anger or frustration. We can be the observer however of our emotions and be honest with ourselves if we want healing. We can ask for the healing and the openness to learn why we are not feeling good regarding issues. Acknowledging how we feel is the first step. Wanting to not feel this way is next. We must realize that we can grow and learn and change. This is the hope of our transition for moving higher on the emotional scale to Love and Joy. We can then support our brothers and sisters that are doing well.
I make the joke that I cannot stand Lenny Kravitz. Why? It is because he is incredibly good looking and has lived a wonderful life of fame and fortune being born from an famous actress. He is an unbelievable talent as a multi-instrumentalist and seems to be a very conscious human with an “old soul”. Aren’t these good reasons to dislike someone I don’t even know? Let me be clear that this is a joke. He is a wonderful person. There is a new person I have become aware of. He is a major force these days in the spiritual world. He has a podcast, reads and interacts with insightful artists and writers and intellectuals. He is good looking with a beautiful wife who is conscious … all the things. After reading about him, I suddenly was inspired. I don’t even know my possibilities at times. I don’t know what I don’t know and this is related to what I can have or achieve. Sure, I know my dreams are unlimited from what I have read. I say if you can dream it, then it can be done. But, when I actually see a young, good looking man have things that I didn’t even know I can have, I can feel one of two ways. I can react with Love or fear. I choose Love. I am inspired by this man. I am encouraged that there are others that have the same views and desires for enlightenment. I see the possibilities that I never actually thought could apply to me.
Today, let us be aware of our emotions. We can have anything we want. There is no limit. You can be the inspiration for so many people you touch. Your granddaughter, your children, your friends can all be impacted even if they do not show one sign of recognition. They may even push back and feel threatened. Be aware that those that don’t know you as well can certainly be impacted by your ministry and Light. Dancing as if no one is watching is a concept to apply. We can just be us and know that the reactions that others have are from their wounds. Their responses are not an accurate response of Truth. Most people are hurting and have fear based reactions. If we can keep our perspective, Know our true worth and choose our unique Path without the need for approval, then we can live a full and abundant life. Remember today that the reactions of others are not a true barometer of Truth. You have to know the Truth and know that we all forget what is True sometimes.
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