A friend of mine does a podcast called "Spiritual Geography" and her current 3-part podcast is about "When Spirituality Harms." She asks two questions each time she is discussing a topic or someone's beliefs. "Are their beliefs life-giving to them and do their beliefs hurt them or anyone else?" It strikes me that we could all use a little more time to think on that before we dive into judging someone else or yelling at the guy who just cut me off in traffic (guilty!) We really have no idea what is going on with them and I have been the guy cutting people off trying to get to my parents because one of them was in the hospital. It's easier some days than others, but like any muscle, if you exercise it enough, it becomes muscle memory.
Like so many things though, even though we know its good for us or for others, we sometimes can't seem to keep it going. It's hard to get the world to slow down so that we can take a moment to reflect and "find our true selves" again. We get caught up in the rhetoric, we let ourselves get baited (and didn't we see a great example of that last week!), we let someone ruin our day so we decide to pass it on, etc. etc. etc. Like some horrible death spiral. It just takes a minute to stop, reflect, and find your good self again before moving on, yet we forget to do it. It reminds me of when two eagles are fighting over territory. They will lock talons and spiral downward. I have seen video where they actually hit the ground because they are so intent on each other. Seems like a perfect metaphor for how unchecked aggression can lead to a serious finish!
I loved the link with Sir Ian McKellan. If we'd just lead with "love" wouldn't the world be a nicer place? How can a conversation go sideways when you lead with love?
A friend of mine does a podcast called "Spiritual Geography" and her current 3-part podcast is about "When Spirituality Harms." She asks two questions each time she is discussing a topic or someone's beliefs. "Are their beliefs life-giving to them and do their beliefs hurt them or anyone else?" It strikes me that we could all use a little more time to think on that before we dive into judging someone else or yelling at the guy who just cut me off in traffic (guilty!) We really have no idea what is going on with them and I have been the guy cutting people off trying to get to my parents because one of them was in the hospital. It's easier some days than others, but like any muscle, if you exercise it enough, it becomes muscle memory.
Like so many things though, even though we know its good for us or for others, we sometimes can't seem to keep it going. It's hard to get the world to slow down so that we can take a moment to reflect and "find our true selves" again. We get caught up in the rhetoric, we let ourselves get baited (and didn't we see a great example of that last week!), we let someone ruin our day so we decide to pass it on, etc. etc. etc. Like some horrible death spiral. It just takes a minute to stop, reflect, and find your good self again before moving on, yet we forget to do it. It reminds me of when two eagles are fighting over territory. They will lock talons and spiral downward. I have seen video where they actually hit the ground because they are so intent on each other. Seems like a perfect metaphor for how unchecked aggression can lead to a serious finish!
I loved the link with Sir Ian McKellan. If we'd just lead with "love" wouldn't the world be a nicer place? How can a conversation go sideways when you lead with love?
Peace!
Jeff,
Your comments are always so thoughtful and inspiring. We had a feeling that you would like the links. ;-)