This turned into a long post and includes pictures from my Peace Corps service in Poltava, Ukraine 2018-19. Enjoy!
As you read and look at many of the pictures! , ask yourself: How do you define your identity and what is your fear in losing it? What would you do to protect your identity?
Plato said: Be Kind: for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle. How true, right? I used to say it doesn’t matter the battle. Now I say that battle is a FEAR – a fear of losing (one’s) identity. Think about it: what else is worth a battle other than fear of losing your identity – how you view and define yourself emotionally, intellectually and physically. That fear comes out whether it’s an argument or even listening to someone with a different life experience.
Plato was (likely) referring to our internal emotional battle’s and not one fought on physical ground. (I assume he was acknowledging individual insecure fears!) Yet, doesn’t every bullet fired begin with this fear? This fear of losing identity. A fear that becomes: I’ll get you to make me feel good/better/whole, etc. etc. etc.??? Fear resulting in: I’ll get you first – and worse – so I don’t lose – you do instead? Isn’t this fear being written after every mass shooting here in the USA where the shooter has felt slighted, bullied, demeaned? Is this fear applicable to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
Global wars, like the Holocaust began with Hitler’s fear, personal insecurity, and low self-esteem. Now think of the current genocidal leader: Putin. Putin and his fear of losing his own personal legacy and his fear of Russia losing its identity as an authoritarian world power.
As Pluto would advise on personal levels, we should listen with kindness.
In this GLOBAL situation with Russia and Putin, kindness, unfortunately isn’t enough – not now.
Sadly, can’t you imagine Putin saying this? Can’t you imagine every bully having these fears and insecurities with the intent of making others lives miserable?
So many headlines imply this fear of Putin’s:
Much is being written of Russia’s past (and current) atrocities. Russia’s past fears that have erupted into death and destruction. And of course Putin himself is being analyzed as to what’s going through his mind. I say, let’s acknowledge Putin’s FEAR.
These words and warnings of Putin’s reaction to fear of losing have been written over and over: Let’s remember this war is about his FEAR – his FEAR not to lose.
Putin’s fear has turned into a physical, violent battle against Ukraine, the environment, the west, all of civilization, and what it means to be human – even to Russians themselves.
If this sounds dramatic, it’s meant to. After more than a year of a treacherous and meaningless war against Ukraine meant ONLY to defend/protect Putin’s ego/legacy and the image of Russia as treacherous, it’s time to learn from his fear that’s turned to a global battle to our individual fears that erupt into small battles with ourselves, others, and the environment.
A year ago, Putin’s fear of losing produced this explanation.
Fear of losing should be listened to: whether it’s ours, buried inside that comes out in self-defeating ways. Fears that erupt into conflicts that are safer than talking to each other with kindness.
Fear of losing is fierce (think of personal anger and vendettas you hold on to). NOW, think of Putin‘s fear of losing – and see the horrific destruction he’s caused – including the recent Kakhovka dam bombing- an act of ecocide along with the genocide.
Shared by my Ukrainian friend Ira L. – Russia’s bombing/destruction of the Kakhovka dam is ecocide and will have long-term impact in a world and region already suffering from ecosystem/environmental dangers.
Add ecocide to genocide and we all have to ask how Putin, how Russia can continue – how the UN, how the world is allowing this.
March 17, 2023. Words without action. WHY????
Putin’s fear of losing should be addressed with global power – a physical battle won’t work – too many lives and too much has been lost already. But it’s time the world unites and recognizes his fear and realizes he and Russia MUST lose this time. His fear must be acknowledged and STOPPED. Before his fear becomes a bigger fear for us all.
A
A chronology of conflict in Chechnya – Russian Federation
Ukraine is NOT Russia’s first genocidal ‘rodeo’.
ReliefWebhttps://reliefweb.int › report › chronology-conflict-che…
Aug 20, 1996 — 11, 1994 Russia sends troops to Chechnya, starting military campaign to crush Dudayevs independence movement. January 1995 Russian troops and …
The Holodomor, Russia’s imposed famine on Ukraine in 1932-33 was one of Russia’s fear based genocides, not to lose status as a super power: stealing grain to pay for weapons. (Watch the movie Mr. Jones on Amazon!) Photos here are from Poltava, Ukraine (2019) during my Peace Corps service there in 2018-19.
Memorializing WWII dead, VE day, May 8, 2018.
VE day is a solemn and serious commemoration in Ukraine and throughout Europe where battles were fought in their streets, and in places like Ukraine where mass killings (of Jews particularly) are too often buried beneath overgrown fields unacknowledged. There are many reminders – past and once again present – of the horrors humankind can impose on each other.
Fear of losing identity turned around – showing Ukraine’s strength to protect and uphold her identity as a democracy.
Ukraine is also fighting this fear of losing its identity. An identity of a free, independent democracy free of corruption. A national identity of a country that leads with tech innovation, beautiful clothes, culture, art, music, etc. An identity of a country that feeds the world with its rich, black, nutrition-filled soil. An identity of celebrations of everything. And I hope, soon, the identity of a tourist-must see place. Ukraine’s proud cultural identity holds so much to see, do and experience.
Here are pictures demonstrating what protecting a proud cultural identity looks like:
Ukraine Independence Day 2018 – here and above.
Yes, every holiday is celebrated there. Imagine the celebrations – and the grief-filled memorials after this war is won.
Below, pictures from Poltava Day (celebrating the founding of the town I served as a Peace Corps volunteer) , 2018. A day when (mostly) University students wear their traditional dress (vyshivankas ) and march through the town, ending at a park where even the pets wear traditional clothes.
See why Ukrainians are fighting so hard: They know the power of Ukrainian identity. Ukrainians are proud of their strong culture, accomplishments, and goals. Ukrainians are working hard to join the west through education, learning languages, and IT innovation.
Ukraine is proud of her many artists and writers, including Nikolai Gogol. Gogol is from the Poltava region; here in Myrhorod, a spa town where people come to drink the mineral waters, sculptures from Gogol’s many works are displayed in a park.
Myhrhorod was recently bombed by the Russians – attacking another cultural spot?
Too often current times have felt like we are all living in the 1930’s. Starting with Trump’s election here in the USA in 2016, the rise of Anti-Semitism in the USA and around the world, and in general a rise in bullying and hate crimes of so many ‘others’ including Asians during the pandemic is scary. It should have all of us scared. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a bit like Hitler’s of Poland isn’t it? Remember the world – especially the USA went after Hitler with the strength and conviction needed – even though the knowledge of the danger was known. Shouldn’t the world’s leaders know better now? It’s like Ukraine is fighting Putin – modern day Hitler on her own. And this is why the world should help Ukraine.
Putin’s fear of losing and current genocide and ecocide should be taken as carefully as Hitler’s fear of losing was NOT, erupting into WWII and the Holocaust.
Remember ‘Fiddler on the Roof’? Jewish culture has strong roots in Ukraine, and here at Hadiach, in Poltava region, is buried Reb Shneur Zalman of Liadi, and many Hasidic come to pray at his grave.
These amazing paintings were done by one of the caretakers.
I really felt like every weekend was commemorating Ukrainian culture, reminding me of the strength and pride of Ukrainian identity.
Ivano Kupala night where women make flower wreaths to float down the river and found by their intended. And there’s jumping over fire too – or just dancing around it.
I danced but felt hopeless to send a flower wreath down the river.
I spent hours sitting in lovely cafes drinking lattes and eating hand-made chocolates (Ukraine is very European in that way – make plans to go soon). Another entertainment was challenging myself to read signs.
This sign simply reads ‘Fast Food’ and shawarma – I admit it always took me a minute or so to read signs – even after a year!
Poltava boasts the home of two authors, including Vladimir Korolenko. This was one book I could read since it had been translated into English.
Ukraine trains have sleeping compartments since it often takes hours to cross the country. The sleeper car to the right is 3rd class – but look at all those comfy looking bunks made up! And truly, this was the best way to travel – never noisy after about 10 pm and as comfy as it looks! And if you’re squeamish looking at this, the sheets come in plastic bags, washed and ready to use!
This is what a 40 year old Volga (Russian made car) looks like alongside it’s 3rd generation owner, V. who worked with foreign students at the University. V. drove me when securing my visa – and the door was a bit wonky, but, it drove!
Easter bread – isn’t it beautiful!(Unfortunately at the same time as Passover!)
The ‘best’ toilet at the University. Never have I been so glad NOT to have suede shoes….
This won’t surprise anyone who traveled to Europe – I”m thinking specifically France last century – or as I remember from the early 1980’s!
I didn’t expect this to turn into such a long post – or to include my own pictures. As you’ve read through I hope you’ll now read through headlines of Russia’s rationale for invasion and destruction and think about Russian/Putin identity.
My intent is hope you now read about Ukrainian action and strength with thoughts of her fighting for this Ukrainian identity.
Ask: What’s In It For Me to focus on this fear of losing identity, with global and personal conflict.
Ask yourself: What would I do to protect MY identity (and what IS that identity)? What do I do when someone ‘attacks’ with words or action that make me fear a ‘lose’? How many conflicts in MY life can I tie back to identity?
Please share your thoughts – strengthen your identity by putting it into words – you deserve it and we all need to benefit from what you have to share.
Support Ukraine in this battle – and support yourself so you can support others in expressing a strong and proud identity.
Human Nature Concepts 