Chains of "FAMILIAR"

Let's discuss Continuous Professional Development, progress and growth that make us flourish as artists and individuals in every aspect of our lives

Why FAMILIAR is referred to as a demon in stories about witches? Something that is also referred to as a well known, something we used to, a habit..? Let's Discuss!

Where does "familiar" come from? A family, programming, society, maybe majority? You've probably guessed where I am going with this. What does it mean to be in the chains of familiar? Is it indeed a demon in disguise? Layers of habits and behavioural patterns that we are used to and never question. But why? Why don't we ever question them? 

Well we probably don't - until those habits no longer serve us, and no longer fit, whilst keeping us hostage in the house where we no longer feel at home. When old rules become a true-like of a tight-tight box we find ourselves in, which won't let us stand up and spread our wings and fly, then it's probably time to re-evaluate everything, reflect and adjust accordingly.  

IF YOU CAN RELATE, READ ON

When we eventually grow out of that house, out of that box, out of that "familiar", what is the next step? Do we just stand up and walk away, the old walls forgive us and let us go, we get up and the box collapses,  or on the contrary - the house is too "comfortable and cozy" to let go of, and the box is made out of metal and it's easier said than done to actually get out? 

And if we do get out of that old house, out of that tight box somehow, how do we actually build our own life with new habits, new patterns and new rules? What if we end up following the same old pattern and build exactly the same house with uncomfortably small walls, and create exactly the same box for ourselves that we were in before just because we felt so "comfortable" in it, used to it, yet were unable to thrive in?

How many years have to pass by for a person to learn the difference between comfort that we are used to with limited results, and the comfort that we built ourselves with new rules that lets us grow and thrive? How many people do we have to let into our lives just because they feel familiar and comfortable only to end up in the same old codependent or toxic relationship, and instead actually start letting unknown and unfamiliar yet healthy energies in? How can we make healthy choices that are our own, and not choices imposed by someone else or the choices programmed into us by our family, environment, circumstances, society, but the choices that will finally lead us to our true full potential, to a true meaning and true purpose of our lives? 

How do we know which one is a healthy choice and which one is a destructive one? How do we feel the difference between ego and intuition voice, difference between fake false image of ourselves and our true authentic selves? Does it take faith alone to know that this choice is right and is ours alone to make it? Do we follow our guts because it makes us feel alive, leads us to a true meaning of love, kindness and constructive future, true potential & ultimate fulfilment? Perhaps yes, providing we have stood the Test of Faith.

According to the science of Human Design, I learned that sometimes to tell a difference between a "true-self" and a "false-self" we can look at our shadow, which can manifest itself in something like frustration or anger, sadness or bitterness which may serve as an indication that we are on the wrong path and maybe wrong place. And on the contrary, the true sense of joy and happiness can be arguably an indication that you are on the right path and in the right place.

THE SONG

You may know the story of Eva Cassidy, how she felt that she was on the wrong path most of her life, looking for a record deal, which could reflect her unique interpretation of jazz. Not a single record company could pigeonhole her style. And only by the end of her life, in her early 30s when she was diagnosed with incurable cancer - she has been given a chance to tell us her story, her way of interpreting those songs, put a stamp of her own style, and showing us the way to our own original interpretation of jazz. Eva Cassidy was noticed and appreciated for who she was and ever since has been celebrated for her bravery of following her guts, for singing her heart out and for making a history. 

In spite of numerous setbacks and rejections by a number of companies, due to her being too original in her own interpretations of all familiar tunes, Eva Cassidy has determinedly followed her true path and surely enough made an impression on the whole music industry and generations that followed her. Eva Cassidy's unique interpretation of familiar revolutionised the way we look at popular songs today, it opened the door into unknown unfamiliar territory of new ways to improvisation and freedom of expression. 

I like the line in Tall Trees in Georgia by Buffy Sainte-Marie that Eva Cassidy covered so beautifully:

Control your mind my girl and give your heart to one

For if you love ALL men you'll be surely left with none

If this article speaks to you, please leave us a comment, and tell us what you do to find your true authentic self, or if you have ever had a feeling of seeing a glimpse of your true self and then losing the sight of it all over again, or if you are clear about who you are, because perhaps you were blessed with someone who has guided you in staying true to yourself throughout your whole life and you live to your full potential already, and if so, tell us what it is and share your story with us!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I look forward to seeing you at our next blog entry soon! 

Much love, Elena, from the SJI team