There are times when the world and all its uncaring nature becomes so intense that the dragon within (a Jordan Peterson expression) breaks out of its cage and is released upon the world. I have mentioned in a previous blog, one that was extremely emotional for me to write (Steroids & Tattoos), that I have a tattoo, a dragon tattoo, one deeply meaningful to me. Allow me explain a little more about my Dragon.
Chinese Folklore of Dragons
It is written that the origins of the Chinese dragon, also known as the loong, long, or lung, is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and Chinese culture at large. Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms, but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs and no wings. Allow me to repeat that because it is important; they have no wings!
Figure 1. Dragons are depicted different in different folklores. Some majestic & beautiful as this one, some more terrifying.
Academicians have identified four reliable theories on the origin of the Chinese dragon: snakes, Chinese alligators, thunder, and nature worship. They traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly power that holds control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of strength and good luck for people who are worthy of it in East Asian culture. During the days of Imperial China, the Emperor of China usually used the dragon as a symbol of his imperial strength and power, although this has not been validated. In the Chinese culture, excellent and outstanding people are compared to a dragon, while incapable people with no achievements are compared to other, lesser-esteemed creatures, such as a worm.
Winged Dragons and the “I Don’t Care” Era
The winged dragon has a different meaning, by many. Referencing J.R.R. Tolkien’s Smaug, it is the fiercest beast alive, believed to be indestructible. The first winged dragon ever spoken about was the dragon of Ra, also believed to be a god by both the Japanese and the Egyptians. Ra was also known as the sun god, and was considered one of the most powerful spirits of all the gods. He was one of the three dragons that were usually called upon to fight. Of course, no evidence of their existence has been proven. They are the depiction (to this very day) of creatures feared by man; their wrath is uncontrolled and unforgiving. It is the combination of these two dragons I am writing about, and the one tattooed on my back.
Triggers like uncaring, lack of kindness, rudeness are but pry bars against the steal cage that keep one’s dragon locked up, that is, if they have not achieved balance within. As the world around us seems to be falling apart when it comes to caring and kindness, it is clear to see why more and more winged dragons are being released. While those who are kind and caring are retreating into their own caves, allowing the winged dragons to roam freely across our existence.
As I stand, what seems alone, amongst these uncontrolled beasts unafraid, I look over my shoulder and see an ever-increasing population of what once was good, kind and caring people branded with the flames of those winged beasts. That brand is as clear as red flame and it says “I don’t care”! But I know they do care! In fact, they care deeply, it’s just that they have been convinced by the winged dragon to be afraid, and fear is one of the most affective ways to control people.
Figure 2. Taming a dragon (inner one) is difficult yet easy.
I am now convinced that we live in the ” I don’t care” era, as the number of times I hear people say that these days is beyond count. I have to ask myself, what was so wrong about caring that forced otherwise good people, to not care?
When we adapt the ” I don’t care” mentality and our children hear us repeat it time and time again, are we not teaching them, not to care? Are our children intelligent enough at four years old to discern what you truly do care about, or could they possibly just learn that you don’t care about anything, including the child? Could this be the catalyst to why here in North America, children have little regard for their parents as they grow up?
I can hear the voices now say, ” no, that’s not what I meant!” To which I would reply, “Are we to be mind readers then? Figuring out what one means as opposed to what was actually said?” Remembering, Highly Responsive People pick up on details, and words matter! The lack of proper meaning sounds like a recipe for confusion. Combine that by our actions, actions such as intonation, and body language, let alone how we react to the world around us when we forget our children are watching closely? Take a look around, do you see it? confusion is everywhere.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, allow me to make it clear, I care! In fact, I care a lot! So much so I am throwing myself into the dragon’s den in a desperate attempt to, not change the world, for that would be unrealistic, but to maybe, just maybe, create a pause in one person’s life. A moment where their minds begin to open to a new possibility of understanding outside of the winged dragon’s spell. Possibly leading to that door that allows them to escape the social beliefs they are trapped in, even for a minute or two.
As I travel this world, I have experienced so much understanding, not entirely because of the places I have been, but also because I have learned to open my mind and my heart to its amazing diversity. Like a rainbow of brilliant colors, it is. In doing so, an angelic feeling flows through me, hence the angel also tattooed on my back. As a result of all I have learned, and all I am about to learn, I find the lack of caring in this world to be the biggest downfall we all face. And if we continue on the path we are on, as a society, more and more winged dragons will be set free, bringing with it anarchy.
Figure 3. Three Dragons of Daenerys Targaryen from the Game of Thrones Universe
The Dragon Within
Some would say, I live in a fantasy world, and maybe I do! But I can see clearly who they are, they are the winged dragons who want to control all of us. No, I cannot face all those winged dragons on my own, nor will I even try. But there is one dragon I can tame, although it will continue to take much effort, effort I am willing to put in. That dragon is my own, the one that lives within me. The wingless one. I have the strength and have learned the lessons life presented to me to teach my wingless dragon to peacefully live with the angel inside me for they both need each other in order to live a balanced life.
Owning the High Responsive trait, we HRPs must beware of our inner dragon, for its fierce wrath is equal in intensity to our angels kindness, compassion, and empathy. When it is released, people see us in a completely different light while we find ourselves so embarrassed that we could not control it. But maybe that’s the problem, we are so busy trying to control it when we should learn to manage it. As we HRPs begin to unite, and share our life lessons we can learn the skills needed to manage these inner dragons and put them to work in positive ways to change our own lives and the lives of those we so deeply care about. Once we master managing both our dragon and our angel, just think what we could do next!
