“I’m not saying your a bad friend. You just aren’t a good friend to me.” Khalil Gibran
“A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.” Khalil Gibran
We all try so very hard to do the decent thing. I honestly believe we do. I believe we are doomed at times because we fail to take everyone into consideration. I am not faultfinding but it surprised me to find out how many times we attempt to be a savior to someone but in the process we fail to take account of the actions and feelings of all involved. I must admit that most of the time I end up on the wrong end of the stick. While trying to aid one person I hurt another.I like many of us tend to want to take care of others to the point of missing the hints of refusal. As I proceed forward pouring my kindness, others insult me with their own agendas. I am left wondering what went wrong and why I am at the receiving end of unkindness and misunderstanding, rather than appreciation. I came across a couple of conclusions. the world is full of people wanting to do good but forgetting that goodness must be generated for all people.
Many times goodwill begins with those we like, love or have things in common with. This is fantastic for those in our circles but what about all of the other people. I see the hope we all have for displays of care and empathy. This emergence is a wonderful thing. However, generosity of actions and words must filter throughout all of mankind. We can’t save only those we want but also those we don’t care for. That is the beginning of true empathy and altruism.
How much glory is there in being kind to those we care about and who return the favor. How much more worthy is it to command the same attention to strangers and even more difficult, to those we dislike. People who are different from us or who irritate us or even despise us require respect. When we can continue showing mercy and respect for all living creatures, then we come to understand the meaning of love, mercy and empathy. Our hearts become so filled with another pain that it reaches our hearts regardless of their connections to us. Our humanity is called upon and it responds.
How hard it is to care about people who are threatening or jealous of us or who overshadow us. Our minds and hearts are full of negativity towards this person and no matter what the situation, likely we would feel no remorse for ignoring their feelings. Truth is we have no idea the amoount of pain we have caused them because of our own misguided senses. Everyone loses. Overpowering the notions that fill our brains with the choices of who is in need and who should we help or pity or show any kindness towards is the dilemma we face daily. We all pick and choose our allies friends and foes.
Our foes are chosen by our friends and are the result of a kind of group agreement. The measurement of our virtuous acts is at times not as kind as we assume. They are not always based on our inner virtue but our deductive reasoning and outer friendships. I realize it now myself that perhaps our many wonderful deeds are not as wonderful as we thought. Probably we should contemplate our moves and allow our intrinsic ability to take over at times. That may display our caring inner spirit.
I suppose that is why it is so difficult to be the judge of anyone. Man condemns based on facts of intellectual and instinctual behavior. We can’t forget to add in the inspirational feelings we ignore when it is revealing truths beyond our reasoning brain. It confuses us with things we would rather not look at or think about. Our attitude might be why we confuse the easy answer. By listening to our higher order we are led down a different path which necessitates reflection and deep inspiration.
As I said in the beginning. It is a tough road to travel because it requires us to find fault within ourselves. I understand how much my judgment of others was based on deductive reasoning. Looking deeper into the situation I comprehended an altered picture and view of another’s involvement in a situation. By doing this at least it renders me faulting myself for my quick but misunderstanding take of a situation. At least I am almost forced to give some space to another for perhaps their alternate view.
What was the hardest of all to witness was the total confusion we cause ourselves daily by choosing to accept a false understanding of another person. Perhaps we don’t really know another reason or motives for doing anything. Again it appears important to agree to disagreement even with those who are difficult and challenging to us. They might have our best interest at heart yet we read the situation so differently. Most likely so many others are not trying to hurt us as much as we believe. The signals get confusing and mixed up. If we try to assume the answer we travel quickly down a path which may be so far away from veracity in the situation.
We get lost and it becomes difficult to go all the way back and start again. Few of us will attempt to do that. If we wonder how we end up in arguments and fights as well as defending a position that might be ludicrous we might just view our interpretation of other people. If we really want to make an assessment, first it warrants we use intellect, instinct and most essential of all intuition or a spiritually based understanding. Technically it is similar to calling on our integrity to vote and have an opinion of the problem. We will be far less apt to misjudge people, words or actions. We will be on a more righteous road.
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest sould. The most massive characters are seared with scars.” Khalil Gibran
“It’s not what you look at that matters it’s what you see.” Henry David Thoreau
“I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble.” Rudyard Kipling
A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” John C. Maxwell
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” Socrates
