Throughout history, since humans inhabited the Earth, fear, anger, hatred, fighting and all manner of disagreements between people have been part of society. And, this will continue for all time to come.
Why is it like this?
Why can’t people get along and show kindness, understanding and forgiveness? Admittedly it’s harder to extend these gentle qualities towards all people all of the time, but in our day to day actions, it’s usually quite simple and unquestionably possible.
At this time, across the world, lack of understanding, judgemental criticism and anger is rampant and I’m not sure about you, but I find it sad. Usually pleasant people are slinging nasty comments at others simply because their beliefs are different. I’m seeing those people who regularly post happy, uplifting, encouraging memes and pics on social media, now showing great fear and directing their animosity towards others who don’t share the same point of view.
People are frightened – I get it, but as much as humans are able to get themselves into a state of fear, every single person is categorically capable of turning their fearful state into one of hope, calm and, love.
In my earlier career as a Stress Management Consultant and Counsellor, a tutor at the college I did much of my training with had a powerful saying (quoted regularly!) ‘there are only two states of being – fear and love and if you’re in a state of fear, turn your thoughts to love’. Easier said than done many in the class retorted.
But over many years of practice, I’ve found it’s not so hard an achievement. It’s like anything in life, if you deeply desire it, set your goals, take specific action and practice continually, the chances of attaining what you want are extremely high.
Yesterday, with my husband and our dogs, I sat in a park near our home with the sun shining and the sight, sounds and smell of the ocean around us. Birds were twittering, flying and swooping near by in the magnificent trees. We had food, water and each other – and our magnificent dog family who are always, without fail, an absolute joy to share life with.
Our idyllic setting of peace brought me to say ‘I wonder how many people are taking full advantage of nature and the joy of sitting quietly with a loved one (or ones) today? How many are staying focussed on what they already have within them and around them to enjoy and be thankful for or are they spending their time tapping into the difficulties and uncertainties of our times and creating even more fear?’
Now you may not have a beautiful park or an ocean close by, but that doesn’t stop you from finding a little spot in nature, in a garden, under a tree, where you can sit in quiet contemplation of all you have to grace your life with rather than thinking of all the possible challenges that may lie ahead – some real, some imagined.
No matter what, you have your strong mind and spirit and you always have a choice of what to think and how to feel. May you choose wisely, helping yourself and others to stay strong in loving kindness.
It really is a critical time to put those encouraging, positive and uplifting comments and personal qualities we all possess to good use and observe how Every Day Gets Better. 🙂❤️🌳🌺
That’s a very good point, Wendy. We can manage our thoughts and choose to think differently. There’s another famous quote, “Change your thoughts; change your life”. I forgot who said it, though. 😊