Navigating the Unknown…
Does life boil down to one giant transaction?
Since arriving in Los Angeles, I’ve been feeling quite uncomfortable about life and how best to move forward, with a question arising… does it truly boil down to one giant transaction?
On the one hand, I want to meet people on the same frequency and potentially exchange/trade some food and lodgings for what that person needs most… this could be editing, gardening, cleaning, caring, the list it would seem is endless, as my abilities are varied.
*I found this flower-shaped seed pod on one of my walks… isn’t it beautiful?
On the other, I find the challenge is everything in this country relies strongly on money. And as I write this, I surmise Australia is no different. If that’s the case, then what is occurring is most likely the old programming rising to the surface to be seen for what it is… that which is false and misleading is leaving.
*The other side of the flower seed pod is equally beautiful.
Until yesterday, every person I connected with had been busy… let’s face it, everyone has their own life to live and many are still deeply involved in and running with the old monetary ways where the external directs one’s life. I remember when the question was first posed, ‘Do we really need money at all?’ At the time, I had thought, yes, of course for I couldn’t imagine a world without it. But now, feeling the way I do, which is attached to an identity and is not me in the multidimensional anyway, I am open to considering this because I don’t want any of my relationships to be based on, or viewed as a transaction—especially from a monetary business sense.
If money is a transaction, then there are plenty of other examples as we give and receive every day in myriad ways. For example: I have deeply appreciated many drivers in the suburbs of LA when I have waited patiently to cross the road and a driver has stopped their vehicle to allow me to cross safely, sometimes in the most unlikely places. I mean, in Australia very few would stop for a pedestrian unless they stood on a road marked with white lines depicting a crossing or crossed with the lights at an intersection, as two examples.
So, what is a transaction?
In late Middle English (as a term in Roman Law): from late Latin transactio(n- ), derived from transigere, this means ‘drive through’. When we consider the word ‘transact’ was derived from Latin trans, meaning ‘through’ and agere means to do or lead, it perplexes me that we have been led to believe that this word is about money. Let’s look at the verb for ‘Drive through’… we are travelling through a designated area. The noun is an example of an entrance outside a takeaway food business. The adjective describes the thing, which is most commonly spelt drive-thru!
If we break down the word ‘transaction’ to trans (through) and action (move) we can appreciate when we move through something, or ‘through’ movement we continue on our journey, but to perceive this word as a money deal doesn’t seem to fit, at least to me. I dare say, originally, a transaction was a negotiation between two parties where agreements were made or matters of importance were adhered to so people could move forward. Only when money came into play from an unknown source was the word manipulated to accommodate and embed this system into the human psyche.
It's not easy for anyone attempting to operate from the original native intent to ‘move through’ life without money because the majority still use it - myself included - though I am doing my best to reduce my dependency. For example: before leaving Australia for this adventure in the Northern Hemisphere I found growing my own food was a must, reducing the need for money and supporting healthy eating. However, travelling and growing food don’t mix. Yes! I did search for a community garden and after a 45-minute walk found a small plot that would barely feed one family let alone a neighbourhood… there were padlocks on the gates and although Google said they were open until 11 pm, they were locked.
So, what I’ve been feeling is the contrast of opposing forces where I genuinely want to assist others and in doing so, support my physical body. But I have encountered and felt that our meeting is a transaction where the other person perceives me as using them as a means to an end, as if I have an agenda.
I guess you could argue that an exchange or trade, such as I’ve mentioned, is an agenda. Here again, is another word misused for the business industry… if ‘agenda’ comes from the Latin word agere, which means ‘do’, then there are things to be done. When we simplify and go to the root meaning of any word we can discern the original meaning from the one it is today.
In answer to my question: Does life boil down to one giant transaction?
Yes! From my perspective, it does as we are ever-moving through life as it presents from one moment to the next, listening to our internal compass and trusting in our gut instincts.
However, it has nothing to do with money and has everything to do with how we can assist and support each other as we navigate life. Why? Because that’s what love does… only when we function as an instrument of love in everything we do, can we see and feel the loving presence that supports us every step on our journey.
What are you transacting – moving through – at this time?
I sincerely wish you well in all you do and be.
Quote: ‘I remain open to see where I am led to be” – Earthaum LM
Love in Harmony,
Leanda Michelle ✍️📚
I have been writing about love and belonging since the year 2000. Discern which title might be for you. When you do, you’ll find we have more in common than you may have realised. I look forward to connecting with you.