The Differences In The Way We See Things
What are the differences that cause us to view the world in the way we do? It’s one of the big hairy questions I can’t help but ponder each day.
I think it ultimately boils down to our values, as they (along with other things) create the lens in which we view the world.
Ie. I most often observe the typical ‘activist’ who finds themselves speaking up against something or standing up against something else, makes me wonder if they’re happy with who they are, and whether or not they’d be spending their precious time ‘fighting against’ something, if they actually had something they could internally fight for, that was actively expanding their identities via contribution and addition.
Ie. the difference between two 18 year old students who spend their time focused on improving themselves and therefore everyone and everything around them, vs. the person who just focuses on changing the things around them.
One is inward focused and the other is outward focused.
One has control and the other doesn’t.
I have a friend who is perceived to be a great person and kind and smart, wise and educated. Yet they constantly highlight things that don’t fulfill them or make them happy.
While he goes out to protest each and every chance he gets, and shares his voice on a lot of issues, he’s been unemployed or under employed for the last 15 years to the point his family is worried about him. He’s also been a financial strain on them, because his parents have subsidized housing and money throughout this time.
If you ask my friend if he’s happy with his life, he’d likely tell you yes. Yet, his entitled attitude has left him single in his 40’s with relationships at work and potential partners that are always in strain. Instead of putting his head down and working, he’s always politicking and fighting with people.
It’s this mindset that I don’t think is productive.
My main problem with generally a voice against something in any form, be it as a protest, war, or anything else that is action and energy being put against something, to fight it, it often adds oxygen and fuels the fire of the very thing it’s intended to fight.
It’s not additive, it’s resistant…As Eckhart Tolle said:
“What we resist persists…what we fight we make stronger.
It’s why Hillary Clinton lost in 2016 and Donald Trump won. She wasn’t inspiring enough with the vision of her future, and instead focused on fighting the vision of his future.
It’s why Mother Theresa said:
“I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there.”
Half the world would probably agree with that sentiment, while the other half would consider it backward which is what constantly makes me wonder.
But it’s why:
The quest to find answers, gives meaning to our existence.
Let me know thoughts and thank you.