WHERE IS YOUR HEAD AT?

·       “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

What is on your mind?

Truly examining yourself requires being honest with yourself and taking a hard look at both your faults and weaknesses, as well as your strengths. It is natural to become defensive if someone else says something negative about you, especially if they are right. So, we tend to rationalize these shortcomings when we examine ourselves. Our egos tell us these rationalizations are valid. But are they, really?

If we are stubborn, we claim we are steadfast. But when we have strong beliefs, we can still have an open mind to listen and compromise.

If we are quick to anger, we justify the cause as worthy of our anger. Still, when we feel wronged, we can choose to pause and try to understand the motivation of the person we think hurt us.

If we gossip, we are sure the subject of our disdain deserves it. However, if we have empathy, and put ourselves in their shoes, we might change our point of view.

When we think about others first (not what our ego wants), instead of ourselves, we become less stubborn, angry and judgmental. We then are in a better position to love others unconditionally.  Once we understand each other, we will recognize that we all have much more in common than we have differences. After all, we are all human beings.

Doing this is not easy. Not that long ago, our ancestors were living in caves and fighting for resources. Our ego is there for a reason. It is part of our survival instinct. In the harsh world prior to the beginning of civilization, it was necessary for our survival. But we are civilized now, and the time for selfish motivations has passed.

The time for anger, stubbornness and gossip has passed. The time for new ideas has come.