Instrument of Change
Disappointment comes from expectations … typically our expectations about the things others should do or accomplish. Yet we have no control over the actions of others. We can influence others, but if we attempt to control them, we are manipulating, coercing, extorting, etc … and it’s really not our place to control anyone other than self. Yet we often find ourselves expecting others to make choices we think are best for them … ignoring what they want or feel and often placing our happiness in jeopardy due to their action or inaction.
It’s often a challenge to accept someone for who they are when they are disappointing us. Yet we misunderstand that acceptance of someone does not mean we condone their behavior or attitude. It simply means that our love is not based on their actions. And I’m not talking about love of a family member or spouse … I’m talking about love of people, in general, and also of self. If we don’t love self, we can’t truly, unconditionally, love anyone. The world is full of people with emotional scars that we can see or even begin to understand. Many people today grow up and live in a culture that finds fault in everything and everyone that is not the same. Society regularly condemns a culture simply out of ignorance … and it’s been going on for thousands of years.
It’s time we fully accept that all humans are the same on the inside. We all need to eat and breathe. We all bleed when we are cut. We all have an inner desire to love and be loved. Are you part of a loving culture that builds people up? Or are you part of a culture that degrades people based on their looks or their actions? How can we have a caring society if we demean and make fun of people (tear them down)? A caring person, one who is sensitive to others, develops by being cared for, encouraged and nurtured (built-up).
Do you spend your time telling insulting jokes or sharing humiliating videos of people who are having a hard time or a bad day? Are you laughing at another’s calamity rather than helping them recover from it … a fall from a bike or horse, someone walking/running into a pole or tripping over something, getting hung up in a car door and dragged … these are not funny. People get hurt, sometimes seriously. When did we become a society that finds humor in this rather than rushing to the other person’s aid?
If you fall, do you want someone laughing at you with a video camera in their hand? Or do you want someone there to help you up and ask if you’re OK? The latter is what it takes to build people up and help them be accepting of who they are … faults and all. When we can accept ourselves, we can accept others. The world is full of rejection and it’s time for a change. Will you be part of that change? Or will you be part of the problem?
Be the change you want to see in the world. ~ Mahatma Gandhi
