Empathy Over Anger

Everyone faces challenges. Most people are dealing with a lot of them right now. It would serve us well to remember that. 

It's so easy to be frustrated or angry with someone who isn't being as kind as we would like. Maybe we could expand our patience a bit. Things are hard for almost everyone.

Maybe we could fly above it. Life is too short. 

Choose empathy. Choose understanding. Choose compassion. Choose Love.

Love,

T

#LetItGo

The topic of forgiveness came up several times this week. There was a difference of opinion with someone and the conversation about it that followed. There was a completely unrelated talk with a different friend about their argument with someone. Then there was a butterfly...

While having a difference of opinion via text message with someone, I described my thoughts to a friend I was with. "I don't have to argue. I don't have to get them to understand my point of view. I don't have to be right. All I need to do is walk away," I said.

It struck me as funny how simple that was, yet how challenging that can be sometimes - to just walk away. Oftentimes when we "let it go" or walk away, we do it with an attitude or judgement toward the other party. I meant just really letting go though, without any harsh feelings.

It's easy to stew about some perceived injustice and complain to anyone who will listen. It's easy to walk away and decide that the other person is a _____ (insert undesirable name here). What about actually respecting their perception or circumstance as different than ours, not better or worse?

"To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it."

- Confucious

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Drawing upon what I learned from audio books and seminars I recently listened to (Co-Creating At Its Best, Wayne Dyer, Esther Hicks; The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle; Sacred Contracts and Archtypes, Carolyn Myss), I practiced shifting my thoughts and letting go. I actually felt lighter when I did.

"Resentments are burdens we don't need to carry."

 - Anon.

"Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools."

- Albert Einstein

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."

- Buddha

The next day, someone else I know described an argument that they just had with someone. We talked about refocusing thoughts in a way that would allow any negativity to float away like a butterfly.

Today, a butterfly fluttered across my path as I was pulling out of the driveway. It was big and yellow and beautiful, and danced away into a neighbor's yard as I stopped the car to watch it.

Here's to a beautiful new week... light, fresh, new...  and free...

Namaste,
T

The Amazing Human Race

Sometimes I get to meet the most amazing and incredibly inspiring people.

This past week, I met a family who has learned to appreciate and value every achievement in life, regardless of how small. This has been part of their life's journey in caring for a child with a developmental disorder. The simple act of learning to eat or making a friend is an occasion to rejoice in their household.

When challenges arise and families learn to navigate the effects of life-altering health issues, people can rise up to meet obstacles with astounding strength, love and grace. There is a beauty in this, that takes my breath away.

I am reminded of a story I heard last week about an Amish community that suffered great loss in a mass shooting in their schoolhouse. Despite the tragic loss of the lives of five young girls, that community’s response was one of forgiveness and love toward the perpetrator and his family. I heard that donations were accepted by the Amish community only on the condition that an equal amount be given to the perpetrator’s family.  (Online sources verify that “some” donations were designated for the perpetrator's family.)

Looking up the incident, I am brought to a stunned silence by the horror of it. I am greatly humbled by the human capacity for forgiveness and compassion as demonstrated by the community's response.

This week, I will remember the capacity for Love that exists inside us all. I will remember that when we are called upon to make a choice, we can choose to meet any challenge, no matter how big or small, with great Love.

Namaste,

T