We all want to be right it seems. It is simply the human way.
I know I certainly do. But I am working on this, daily. I read a lot of different books which offer perspectives on spiritual growth and on developing our greater sense of virtue. One of the lessons throughout all of these texts, comes back to getting past “our need to be right.”
Certainly, we should act and behave in the truest and highest standards. But we don’t really need to argue with anyone about what they should be doing. Leading by our actions, and our example, and all. This should suffice, according to the spiritual masters.
But that is where I always stumble and fall. What if the person is STILL being a jerk-off no matter how WE behave? Or they just seem to possess their own set of truths which guide them? Wonky truths.
I grow extremely tired of hypocrisy. I see people admonishing others as they cradle their Bibles in the bends of their arms. “This is wrong, and that is wrong. And shame on you for your evil ways.” I get so upended when I see posts, on Facebook or in Social Media, which project the High and Mighty standing on their great big rocks of the High and Mighty. I get sad, and mad, and hurt.
And then, I am reminded of my path. My learning.
Our life purpose rests on remembering and teaching love. That is the most. Anything, that pulls me away from this awareness can be viewed as a tool for my learning…. Just the second I am able to recognize this.
(See Spiritual Red Alert, for the tirade above. Yes. This pulled me away.)
When conflict challenges my peace of mind, I should be able to recall this simple thing. I have the power to choose whether or not to engage. I …. we…. can still be caring and supportive people without taking part in negative thinking or fear-based behavior from those around us.
Our peacefulness should be reflected in our hearts, our minds, and in our lives. And we can offer it outward, as a gift to others. We can live our lives with compassion and love and virtue. It is then, no matter, if others wish to judge us for this.
==========
“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”
― Albert Einstein
===========
“The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.”
― Voltaire
===========
“For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You’d be surprised how far that gets you.”
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
===========