this showed up today...
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 10:29 PM If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Most of us make trouble for ourselves by over-reacting to what others say or do. We have conditioned ourselves to see everyone else as "the enemy" rather than look within ourselves for the real cause of our distress.
If we can pause long enough to uncover our own hidden discomfort and distorted attitudes before we react with harsh criticism or vindictive silence, we can change our destructive first impulses into a loving interchange between individuals.
Today let me not be quick to criticize or condemn another. I will look at others as friends, not as foes, on my journey toward self-discovery. You are reading from the book:
Relationship
Reader Comments (8)
Self-awareness is one of the most important lessons we can learn. Unfortunately we have to be at a certain level of self-awareness before we can become truly self-aware. If you're still with me...
Kasey!! Wonderful post and you will never know how much I needed to read that this morning.....changed my perspective....I think you just might have been the facilitator in a miracle!!! I look forward to seeing you next week!! Love, Pamela
Great post for my morning. Self-awareness is not always my first choice. Tantrums then mental self-flagellation then regret, then self awareness, THEN some measured thinking might be a sequence for me:)
xoxox
It's amazing how truth can feel so relieving. Your words resonate deeply and things seem to settle down inside me.
thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this Lucy - your timing is wonderful! I caught myself passing judgement on someone the other day - totally irrationally and unjustified. I was very disappointed with myself.
I guess that's what happens when we consider another to be a bete noire (or enemy). The awareness of self can be painful; changing my reactions will I think be a long, painful journey!
what a delightful assortment of "commenters" to this post!! sounds like the timing was just right for all of us.
thanks for stopping by and letting me know you're out there reading :-0
xoxoxooxox
This came at a good time--I've been having some difficulties with neighbors, and even before reading this, I decided to make myself stop, think, and put myself in their shoes--to understand why they may act as they do, and to send them blessings (rather than the poison-dart thoughts I had been sending them). And then I come here and get further encouragement to take the next step and view my own actions/reactions. Thank you.
you're quite welcome, karen :-)