We Have Come a Long Way
We all have come a long way in life. We have lived many experiences both good and bad. We have faced challenges and won. Sometimes we have lost.
We have all learned a lot from these experiences. There are things we did years back that we would clearly not do again. And there are some moments we would like to live again. However, you cannot have these past moments back.
The past is the past. Did we learn from it? Did we get wisdom?
But here is the thing. In all of these moments we did the best we could with what we had at the time. What we had was some limited knowledge, resources, role models, family and friends.
Sometimes we had very little knowledge or ability to make good decisions. We were schooled by our circumstances and experiences. In many cases it took many repeats before we got to understand the truth. This is called wisdom gained in the school of life and hard knocks.
If we are open and honest we continue to learn. We grow and become wise. Then we handle life better and make better choices for others and ourselves.
Sometimes we are not open or willing to see the truth, the facts as they are. Why is this?
Well, one is we have prejudices. We are biased towards one thing, person, belief system, food, culture, philosophy,politics etc.
But here is the thing! These biases can close the door on learning, growing and understanding. And this can make us ignorant as we get older, both as a country and as individuals.
Another point is we do not take the time it takes to get to know and accept ourselves. This requires patience, openness and self-compassion. As well it takes time.
We are good and capable people. We are also, all of us, human beings. Can we learn to see this good, wonderful person inside without being arrogant and inconsiderate?
Can we see ourselves, and learn without judging and criticizing? Can we then decide to make changes without labeling others and ourselves good or bad?
Here is the third point, and then a glass of wine.
We often avoid the truth by avoiding or minimizing it. Avoiding can be an outright denial of truth because it conflicts with our beliefs and values. Minimizing is basically excusing others from the responsibilities to the truth.
Example, “Everyone does the best they can do.” When we say that in terms of a person in a responsible position we are letting them off the hook.
Some things are very important. Truth and responsibility are amongst those.
We all have come a long way in life. We have lived many experiences both good and bad. We have faced challenges and won. Sometimes we have lost.
We have all learned a lot from these experiences. There are things we did years back that we would clearly not do again. And there are some moments we would like to live again. However, you cannot have these past moments back.
The past is the past. Did we learn from it? Did we get wisdom?
But here is the thing. In all of these moments we did the best we could with what we had at the time. What we had was some limited knowledge, resources, role models, family and friends.
Sometimes we had very little knowledge or ability to make good decisions. We were schooled by our circumstances and experiences. In many cases it took many repeats before we got to understand the truth. This is called wisdom gained in the school of life and hard knocks.
If we are open and honest we continue to learn. We grow and become wise. Then we handle life better and make better choices for others and ourselves.
Sometimes we are not open or willing to see the truth, the facts as they are. Why is this?
Well, one is we have prejudices. We are biased towards one thing, person, belief system, food, culture, philosophy,politics etc.
But here is the thing! These biases can close the door on learning, growing and understanding. And this can make us ignorant as we get older, both as a country and as individuals.
Another point is we do not take the time it takes to get to know and accept ourselves. This requires patience, openness and self-compassion. As well it takes time.
We are good and capable people. We are also, all of us, human beings. Can we learn to see this good, wonderful person inside without being arrogant and inconsiderate?
Can we see ourselves, and learn without judging and criticizing? Can we then decide to make changes without labeling others and ourselves good or bad?
Here is the third point, and then a glass of wine.
We often avoid the truth by avoiding or minimizing it. Avoiding can be an outright denial of truth because it conflicts with our beliefs and values. Minimizing is basically excusing others from the responsibilities to the truth.
Example, “Everyone does the best they can do.” When we say that in terms of a person in a responsible position we are letting them off the hook.
Some things are very important. Truth and responsibility are amongst those.
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