No Exceptions

If one of these days you walk by a fir tree, you can have the opportunity to see another clear parallel between Nature and mankind. If you observe the branches, you see that some are dark green: they are alive and 'mature'. Then, on the tip of each branch, you notice a light-green sprout: it's the new born, a 'youngster'. Further observation shows you that there also brown branches (the 'seniors'). Others are already separated from the trunk: they have concluded their cycle. Just like every human being. Is this vision, and consequent reflection, sad? It may be, but it actually should not. Life, at all levels, needs to complete its pattern. This is a fact that people accept without question, but only when it refers to "the others". Nevertheless, upon deeper reflection, your intuition suggests that the renewal that Nature operates every new season must logically apply to everything that is presently alive. Nature is always consistent. Why should human beings be an exception?

Chaos & Order

These days of late spring, Nature offers a beautiful sight: wherever you look, you see trees fully covered in sparkling green leaves, birds chirping and happily flying around and...flowers! Wonderfully colored flowers, everywhere. Red, pink, blue, yellow...all so pretty, all so 'perfect'. Yes, you get this feeling of perfection because they are where they are supposed to be, they do what they are supposed to do, they actually "are" what they are supposed to be. A sort of righteousness, of serenity pervades the natural environment and gives you a nurturing sense of harmony. In fact, Nature is harmonious in all its manifestations. Not everything is really perfect, but it definitely portrays an image of beauty. In contrast, the situation of mankind seems to be the opposite.Pervasive feelings of uneasiness, unfairness, suspicion, contrast enshroud the general appearance of the "human" scenery. A distressing situation that exists among countries, 'groups', families. The natural world is calm and orderly, the human world is chaotic; the former seems to be smiling, the latter seems to be frowning. How sad, but...how true!

Your Blunder

Every now and then you get upset for something that happens that you highly dislike. You immediately blame it on someone else. You find faults in their behavior, in what they said, in how they said it or in what they did. You are convinced that 'they' were wrong, they made a mistake. Then something happens that makes you reflect, that makes you really 'pay attention' to what had happened, to why the unpleasant situation had actually taken place. And, suddenly, you realize that it had been 'your' fault because it was you who misinterpreted somebody else's action or behavior, you misunderstood their words or expressions.When this happens (and, sooner or later, it 'does' happen!) what can you do? After acknowledging your mistake, the most important step is to stop judging and blaming yourself. No-one likes to feel like a fool. No-one like to admit they made a gaffe, thus creating an awkward situation. But recognizing and accepting your error is a must. If you refuse to do it, you are only hurting yourself. You may be able to hide your blunder to others, but...'you' know!

A Different Language

Observing people's behavior (including your own), you realize that everybody behaves in the only way they know. They believe that "their way" is the only way because this is who they are, and feel they have the right to express themselves in total freedom and independence. This is certainly true, but only to a certain extent. If you realize that a habitual behavior of yours causes distress to another, especially to a loved one, you may try to reflect on the fact that, although you have the right to deal with the world according to the way you are, you also have a  choice in front of you. In fact, you can easily remain faithful to yourself by simply changing your attitude: the words you use, facial expressions, body language, the tone of your voice.... You don't need to change "who you are", but you may need to change the way you express it. This, if you care enough not to hurt somebody else's feelings.  *

 

Many or One?

Some people are attracted by ideas, beliefs and convictions that are shared by many. They form communities, each with a leader who tells them what is right, what is true, what is fair (and what is not). The feeling of "belonging" makes this situation sound more alluring. Human beings need to be with fellow human beings, thus feeling part of a group, joining in religions, political ideas, 'deserving' causes, even cults, may provide a useful way of fulfilling such desire. The whole 'procedure' is quite easy. The leader leads, the followers follow. But...if someone does not feel like 'following', if they want to think for themselves, if they prefer to decide on how to proceed, what can they do? Awakening one's own consciousness is not an easy task. While following the mass makes one comfortable and 'uniform', following a personal endeavor leads on a difficult path. Do both destinations yield equally fulfilling results?    

Entitlement

As it is by now clear that the world is based on contrast, even human beings can be identified by means of characteristics, one of which is "entitlement". It is the category of individuals who feel they are 'entitled'. Entitled to what? To success, to appreciation, to love. By whom? By their family, by others, by the whole world. They believe they have the right to receive what they want, no matter what, and resent it if they don't. On the other hand, there is the opposite category of those who believe that success, appreciation and love must be 'earned' through hard work, dedication, honesty and good behavior. Yes, behavior in particular. Have you noticed the difference among the people you know? One expects a promotion because they have 'the right' to get it, and behaves accordingly. Another, vice versa, believes that hard work 'may' be rewarded with a promotion: they hope for it but they don't 'demand' it. And they, too, behave accordingly.    *

Modern "Gods"

A:"I don't want their money. I want respect." B:"Money is respect in this world." This is a brief exchange between two characters in a TV movie. Do you think it may be true? Do you think that in this world money has taken the place of respect and, consequently, of dignity? If this 'were' true (let's hope it is not, at least not entirely), where is mankind headed? A society that chooses material success, wealth and power as the most desirable goals of life, can hardly be the best guide towards ideals of peace and serenity. The fact is that material achievements are shrewdly shown on social media with alluring images  that can easily bring one to believe them. How many (young) people can resist the fascination of seemingly perfect beauty, opulent dwellings, the possess of assets and the 'reign' over people?  Has money really become the new "god"?