There are two basic viewpoints in Life. It is so easy for all of us to think that if something or someone outside of us changes then all will be OK. We have heard many times that our relationships are our mirrors but what does this mean? We have also heard that we need to be the change, but what does this mean?
It means that life reflects us and that whatever we put out we will get back. How quick we get angry at someone in the heat of the moment and regret it a second later; but then it’s too late because we have started a chain.
There is a valley in India and I’m sure also many other places around the world, where you go and shout at the valley and it shouts back at you. If you bark at it, the valley barks back at you. Now, this is simple enough to figure out, but what about when this happens in life and we have forgotten that we barked first?
Some people think that if we change our external circumstances, only then can we be happy; the more fundamental approach is to change ourselves and then life may be beautiful. This sounds all very fluffy and unrelated to the material world of business or even relationships, but the reality is that the vast majority of our working day is related to our very subjective feelings and how we relate not only to others but far more importantly to ourselves.
Many people are concerned with first changing the world and wonder why at the end of their life their basic needs have gone unfulfilled and they are often resentful and bitter.
If we continue to move in the direction of changing the world we are bound for trouble; the world is vast and complex and your life is tiny or haven’t you noticed?
Sure, do what you can to change inequality and the oppression of the minorities and the incredible starvation in the world, but unless we remember to change ourselves at the very base of our being then surely we have missed a great opportunity?
There is much appeal in the idea to change the world because it relieves us of the responsibility and incredible effort required to change ourselves.
Chris Borrett
Image Credit-FreeImages.com-Kimberly Vohsen
If by chance, you have not encountered my previous posts outside this blog, one of my favourites is about “How To Make A Decision and Stick To It”. You have the luxury of reading it by clicking here.