Every second of Life is filled with a multitude of wise quotes educational studies and varied opinions of how we can improve ourselves. One could spend countless hours trying to absorb and understand the perfect way to find happiness and Joy.
The entire time we are researching, digesting and ruminating the many different human opinions on how to live an optimum life filled with Joy the clock continues to tick away and the precious moment of Joy are falling through the hour glass as we study.
Then someone says something that is drastically in contrast to the peaceful existence the “seeker of Joy” is attempting to understand and develop. The manner in which we respond to this says it ALL. As a seeker of Joy and peace if we become enraged by the comment and at the person who communicated it we loose our focus and we can easily be pulled into the vacuum of despair that will most assuredly do nothing but steal the joy of the present moment and add to the chaos and anxiety in the world.
Peace and wisdom is attainable only after we deescalate agitated emotional feelings that come naturally in human behavior. As human beings we all want to feel safe and have our opinions respected. We learn by doing. We also learn by the mistakes we make. We have more things in common with each other than we often realize.
Both sides are at fault when there is a disagreement that is not handled in a respectful manner. I was given a very helpful bit of wisdom from a church sign once many years ago…… “When arguing with a stupid person, make sure he is not doing the same thing”.
It is a common narcissistic human reaction to want to be heard and have your opinion respected, when you feel you are not being heard or your point is not being taken seriously the narcissistic response often turns to aggressive language and maliciousness and personal attacks to show power. It is a vicious circle that will never result in a peaceful resolution.
Meditation brings awareness that is available to us all from deep within. It may be referred to in many different ways but the common denominator will always be Love. Stillness and Meditation will connect you with Internal Universal Wisdom. The inner voice I like to refer to as the Whisper of God.
We will all react at times “Humanly” and with emotions however, we need to forgive each others slip ups and begin again to listen for the word of God to lead us to a better reaction……. (this example came from a book I read once long ago, A Life Worth Breathing)… imagine if you were in a car accident…. You are laying along side the road with torn clothes and bleeding. The ambulance driver arrives jumps out of the ambulance and responds emotionally…….”Oh MY GOD, you are in horrible shape! This is going to be hopeless, no-one will be able to fix this”. No one wants something like this to happen.
Remember to focus on the moment in front of you and not worry about the imagined moments of the future. We can waste many precious joyful moments when we fantasize, strategize, and organize for the imagined disasters in the future.
Life is better when we build one another up instead of tear each other down. Teach each other and be willing to learn from each other. Children are watching how we respond and treat political figures and this is how they will believe it is acceptable to treat all humans.
Be confident that as individual souls living an earthly experience we have enough internal wisdom to get us through our Journey here on earth. Never forget to Be Still and listen to the Higher Wisdom within you instead of responding emotionally from your human ego. Lets not be that ambulance driver with nothing but alarming words proclaiming our demise.
It is possible to voice one’s opinion without calling the person with the opposing opinion a derogatory name. When we express ourselves with respect we promote a peaceful enviornment. By responding offensively to an oposing opinion we are teaching our children it is acceptable to call people derogatory names, antagonize others who believe differently than you and cause division instead of promote unity and peacefulness.
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
Carmela Snelbaker 