This is a two part series. The first part can be found here.
As my spiritual journey progressed, Buddhism and Vedanta crossed my path and that took my journey to a whole new way of being. Due to the time spent studying religious texts, traveling and so many other events, I began to work on the inner issues that were causing my pain.
When you are stripped bare of everything that you know and have hit rock bottom, it changes the way you look at everything. I began to dig deep and really look at all my psychological issues. There was a lot of stuff that I needed to make peace with and it was not easy.
With each passing day, the anger and pain that was a part of me would disappear more and more and I started to notice that in its place came more and more love. The more loving I became, the more tolerant I became. I started to notice that I was no longer bothered by things in the same manner.
Yes, there would be some events that would shake me up but it was different than before. I would no longer dwell for weeks on things and if people did something that made no sense, I began to wonder why they did what they did.
And to my surprise, I began to see that people did things for reasons and once I placed myself in their shoes, the reasons became logical. It may not be my idea of logic but to that person it was logical and that was a huge eye opener.
It was at this point, that the concept of absolute truth dissapeared from my philosophy. Yes, there is morality and values but absolute truths do not exist because in the eyes of God what is absolute truth? For example, if a poor man steals bread to feed his family, is he a criminal? Not in my mind.
We have no idea why he is in the position that he is in. He stole for he felt he had to feed his family. Does this make him a thief like the man who steals jewelry because he simply can? The criminal act is the same but the reasons are very different. To condemn both men to the same fate is not logical because both men are not the same. A good practice would be to follow Jesus’ statement: “See no man after the flesh” meaning don’t judge based on what you see them do or hear them say. Only God knows what is in a person’s heart and only God knows whether a person’s motive is “right” or “wrong”.
However, since we don’t always know what God knows, we do need order in the world and laws do provide that. So this post is not about whether or not there are absolute truths. Actually, what is more important than absolute truths are love and tolerance. This brings me to Christ and Christ consciousness.
As I wrote in the previous post about John the Baptist, when you talk to another person with a sense of condemnation, you really do not make a positive impact on them. Yes, your point of view may be correct when you are trying to tell someone what you think but if you really want to make a difference in someone’s life, you have to talk with love. Jesus Christ, in my mind, along with Lord Buddha and His Holiness the Dalai Lama are great examples of that state of being.
People do things for reasons. No one intentionally acts with the idea of being stupid or close minded or ignorant or racist or sexist or nationalistic or anything else for that matter. People, for the most part, do and say things based on what they think is the right way of being.
When I was in law school, I worked in my third year of school with juvenile delinquents. I would go to the court and literally the walls would be lined up with young kids who were charged with all kinds of offenses. In getting to prepare for such cases, I would sit down with the kids and get their side of the story.
Ninety percent of those kids just wanted someone to pay attention to them. Most of them had parents who were busy trying to make a living so that they could put food on the table. Most of those kids felt so lost and lonely, they just wanted someone to notice them and they got attention when they did something bad.
A lot of them had no concept of hope. When I talked to them about going to school or having dreams, they would tell me that no one would ever give them a chance because they were poor or whatever. It was heartbreaking to hear those kids have no sense of hope or purpose in life.
Yet when I asked them if they knew what they did was wrong, legally speaking, they would look at me and shrug their shoulders. Most of them would tell me that they did not think what they were doing was wrong. They explained that they just wanted someone to see them and this was the best way to get noticed. None of them ever wanted to hurt someone on purpose. That whole experience changed my view of the penal system in this country.
Rehabilitating a prisoner does not mean condemning them for their actions. It means helping them to overcome the pains and issues that caused them to commit the crime in the first place. To condemn a human being without providing any opportunity to help them grow is waste of not only time but of money and human potential. People do things for reasons….the only way we can see that is if we approach everyone with love and tolerance.
Jesus spent time with tax collectors and prostitutes. He was blamed for doing that and his response was that he was here to help people and those were the people who needed to be helped.
Being compassionate does not mean you only give love to those who love you in return or to those whom you like. It means spreading love to everyone regardless of what they mean to you. Yes, there are different kinds of love and you will love some people more than others. The key is to operate as much as you can from a place of love.
This is not always easy. As I wrote in the first series of this post, there are days when I see some behavior that just makes me mad but then I remind myself that I am not here to correct another person or to condemn another person. I am just responsible for my sphere of influence and to just be love.
The ways of God we will never understand until we pass away. Until then, we are just responsible for how we choose to engage in the world. We can either operate from a standpoint of rights and wrongs or we can operate from a place of love.
Now the interesting thing about operating from a place of love is that in order to give love to others, you have to give love to yourself first. How I wish I knew that in my twenties.
You cannot receive what you do not feel for yourself. You want love, then love yourself. When you are tolerant and compassionate with yourself, you can be compassionate and tolerant with the world.
We all have had our share of pains and injustices. It is not our job to correct those wrongs. Our job is to not spread more of those wrongs into the world. We each are an embodiment of love and your birthright is to be a being of love.
All over the world right now, we are all getting ready to celebrate the Holiday season. We think of this time as a season where we give and get presents. I am sure that the Three Wise Men had no clue that their gesture would turn into the commercial holiday that it has become. That said, the best gift that you and I can give year round is to be loving and tolerant….not only with ourselves but with everyone around us.
{ 42 comments }
Hi Nadia .. I can’t agree more – we all judge too early, or without understand the underlying reasons. Yes – this Christmas I am going to be more tolerant and loving and giving to others .. giving not in giving – just being there for them .. the balancing act of time for others, as well as keeping myself fit and healthy so I can be there for everyone. People appreciate our time so much, when we have some to give .. my uncle died – but two neighbours (80+) fell over .. both at home now after hospitalisation .. and managing – both strong, but both would like some of my time .. I will do what I feel I can – my mother comes first.
Life can be testing! A learning process for us all – especially at this time of year –
Goodwill to all men …
Thanks Nadia .. a real eye opener .. and I love the way you’ve separated the ‘when in doubt’ post into two .. I learnt a lot ..
Love – Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat …Christmas through the ages …. =-.
Hi Hilary,
Thank you so much for all that you wrote. I loved how you said that life is a learning process for us all. Amen to that!
And goodwill to all men has to be something that is practiced year round.
Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!
Nadia,
You give that gift of love and tolerance daily in your life. I have witnessed that in every interaction I seen from you. And it is beautiful, and so deeply good to experience.
And while I haven’t always been that way – having a compassionate heart – I really do try to today. And when I do, I see so much love that is out there in our world…and I also see so many just looking for that love, too. There is so much in this world that we cannot fully understand – and I really also believe that that is okay. If we have love in our hearts, then all we need to do is just to listen to that heart of ours…and act in such a way to really come that spot of love.
Reading these two pieces you have written really is reminding me of how truly important love and compassion are.
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
Hi Lance,
Thank you so much for all the kind words. I really do try to give love and tolerance as much as I can.
And it is never too late to have a compassionate heart. I have no doubt that you try your best. It is evident in your actions. So have no worries. All is awesome!
Hope all is well and have a wonderful rest of the weekend!
I really enjoyed these posts, Nadia. I love how you’ve worked your own personal story into the much greater ideas of love and compassion. From my own experience, I believe that people hurt others or do wrong because they have unresolved pain in their hearts. The pain distorts their thinking, and makes them believe that whatever wrongs they are doing are ok or acceptable.
To really love someone, you have to see their pain, and you have to try to understand that pain and where it comes from. I think the vast majority of conflict in this world (both on a personal, person-to-person basis and on a global, country-to-country basis) is the result of one or both sides refusing to acknowledge and respect the other side’s pain and frustration. When you act from a place of compassion, things get much easier.
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Paying It Forward =-.
Hi Jay,
Thank you for saying that you really enjoyed these posts. That means a lot to me.
And you are so right about how all conflict is the result of both sides refusing to understand why the others side does what it does. May more and more people realize that truth. The world does not need more anger. We need more love and tolerance.
Hope all is awesome!
Nadia:
Great post…I especially enjoyed your message about spreading love and tolerance. Not just during the holidays, but all year round. I think you’ve also hit on something that is truly important…living our lives with a sense of empathy. I know many of us do this already, but there are plenty of people who do not. I don’t know if this is something that can be taught, but I feel the spirit of empathy will take us a long way.
Thank you again for sharing your story and revealing what you went through on your spiritual journey. I’m sure it continues to evolve. Thank you, also, for the great important reminders about love and compassion. Have a great week!
.-= Tim´s last blog ..Weekend Video Diversion: Ken Nordine =-.
Hi Tim,
You are right about the spiritual journey evolving. It never ends. There is always more to see and learn which I think is wonderful. Also, it is another reason why a person should never be bored.
And amen about the spirit of empathy. I think some people just do not know how to be compassionate because they have not seen it. It is hard to give something if you have not seen it in action. So if someone has been constantly surrounded by intolerance, it is hard for them to understand tolerance. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. I guess the best thing we can do is to just be loving and tolerant. We just never know how our actions may make an impact on someone elses life.
Have awesome weekend!
Hi Nadia.
Gorgeous how you suddenly found out how to solve the problem of putting it all in one post, write two!
Oh how life can be simple sometimes when one can go beyond a certain way of thinking!
This is in essence how judging is to be avoided as judging is the cause of a lot of pain; “I remind myself that I am not here to correct another person or to condemn another person. I am just responsible for my sphere of influence and to just be love.”
AND despite that, a lot of systems that are to support us or are to teach us are based on judging. You either fit the measure or you do not and very seldom is there room for any discernment. You are either in or out, period and that makes us fit every round peg into a square hole.
I had to laugh about your earlier righteous self, oh it is so hard to see the folly in the world and stay calm and composed.
But people are where they are at, I too could only see what I could see at any given time.
Humberto Maturana says, “love is the only emotion that expands intelligence” and do we not all learn more comfortably and willingly when we are surrounded by love?
Love means listening as you did with those young people and then you can see judging is never possible once you know their side of the story.
For me the issue is now to do things differently with this knowledge, to be love when someone cuts in front of you in traffic, when the washing machine breaks down when you really really need it to work.
Love is keeping a conversation alive that those young delinquents will find hope and something to live for in a way that will serve them, love is trusting that all our little efforts add to a better whole.
Nadia, good move to make two posts about this important issue, hugs to you, Wilma
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Don’t let change in your circumstances fool you. =-.
Hi Wilma,
Thank you so much for all the support and for all your thoughts.
I love the line you quoted from Humberto Maturana. That is so true. Love is the most powerful force there is and yet so many of humanity do not use it or do not use it wisely.
The irony is that many make love conditional and that is the worst thing a person can do to love.
We are all works in progress and we all are trying to do our best. The key is to remember that…even if it something so minor as someone cutting in front of you while in traffic.
Hugs right back to you!
Hi Nadia,
Part two was worth waiting for! I like it that you are putting love and tolerance together–they really should go hand in hand. I also like your suggestion that we give this to ourselves as well as others. Great message! Thank you for being a beacon of love and kindness!
.-= Jodi at Joy Discovered´s last blog ..Happy Thanksgiving! =-.
Hi Jodi,
Thank you so much for all the kind words. You are a beacon of love and kindness too. What we see in others is a reflection of ourselves.
Love and tolerance go hand in hand because when you are loving, it is easy to tolerate the things that people do.
And definitely by all means we need to love and be gentle with ourselves. We cannot give those things to other people unless we can give those things to ourselves. You cannot give what you don’t have.
Hope all is awesome!
An assumption that’s always helped me is, people do their best with the resources they’ve got.
One of the keys to feeling good, is raising your frustration tolerance. I have a lot of tolerance, but for myself, I use selective intolerance for things I want to improve.
I like the phrase from A Christmas Carol, we’re all fellow travelers to the grave.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..Lessons Learned from Guy Kawasaki =-.
Hi JD,
Charles Dickens was an amazing writer and I think “A Christmas Carol” is so impressive considering all the spiritual wisdom that is in that story. We definitely are all fellow travelers to the grave.
As for what you wrote about having selective intolerance for things you want to improve, I understand what you are saying but I would describe it differently. We all have things we want to be better at doing. That is a given and there is nothing wrong with it. However, we have to realize that to achieve what we want, we have to go through a process of growth. I have found that if I welcome that growth with patience and willingness, things go by much more smoothly. If I am intolerant with the process, then I will not be open to what is ahead of me. So like I said, I get what you are saying but I just would describe it differently.
This is another important post that comes at a wonderful time. It is all too easy to fall into the trap of conditional love and judgment, thinking we know what is in the heart or mind of our fellow human being. But my gosh, there are times when I don’t always know what’s motivating ME, so how could I possibly presume to know about others?
Loving others no matter what – the very definition of unconditional love – is such a beautiful ideal to strive for. It’s what I try to keep my eye on, but like you said, we first must love ourselves unconditionally. Only then can we truly love anyone else in that same way. Baby steps… I keep telling myself that baby steps are better than no steps at all.
And speaking of love, much love to you, Nadia!
.-= Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..7 Steps for Climbing the Staircase to Joy =-.
Hi Megan,
You are right about the baby steps. Baby steps are way better than no steps and of course, with time and practice baby steps grow into a steady walk. So no worries. We are all works in progress.
Up until about seven years ago, I had no idea that there was something called unconditional love. Based on the way my life had been up to that point, everything seemed conditional and I thought that was normal. Some events happened which made me realize that there was something such as unconditional love and it floored me. Even though I had been a student of spirituality for a long time, I had never made the connection that love has to be unconditional. It was the strangest realization for me and a huge eye opener.
Unfortunately, many people do not practice unconditional love because they have not experienced it. You cannot give something that you don’t have. And I think many people would love to give unconditional love but they just do not know how. So bravo to you for knowing what it looks like and for trying to give it.
And much love to you!
Hi Nadia!
I love the unfolding of this – how you saw earlier that the more love you had, the more tolerant you became. That alone is a beautiful foundation to grow from isn’t it? This development of learning to love ourselves so we can look at others, not with judgment, but compassion, is summed up by Wayne Dyer’s quote “You can only give out what you have inside”. I have seen that so much in my life. Angry-hearted people give out anger, frustrated hearts spill out frustrations, and so on.
Your story (and writing!) is full of love and compassion – a shining reflection of your heart, Nadia. You are a gift to us all – for the holiday season and for always!
Love n hugs,
suZen
.-= suzen´s last blog ..Consenting to Feel Icky =-.
Hi Suzen,
You are a gift to us all too! And thank you so much for always being so loving and supportive.
I love that Dyer quote. It is so true and like you, I have seen so much of that too. People give what they know and if they do not know the language of love…they cannot give it. It is kind of sad but we all have our issues that we need to deal with in life.
The irony about living is that we only learn from pain and suffering. Sometimes when we are down on our knees, begging for another way out, that is when we can really start anew and try to find another way. How I wish we could reach that point in joy but life was not designed like that. So maybe we just need to hit rock bottom so that we can learn to be tolerant and loving not only with oursevles but with the world too.
Beautiful Nadia! This whole article makes me think of the line that I live by today and hold very close to my heart from Neale Donald Walsch:
“No one ever does anything wrong, given their model of the world”
Too often we forget that what we consider reality isn’t the same for everyone else. Like you said, we often don’t know what drives people to do what they do, but we are sure as heck not in a place to judge them.
And that is where I am today. I may not always agree with the actions of another, or I may see that there are perhaps other actions that would serve them better. And yes sometimes I feel the passion within (never in an overheated way though) But ultimately, I do not interfere, for it is their life, and only they know what is “better” for them. And when they choose to change, if ever, or seek advice, I will be there for them in any and every compassionate way that I can….
That is why I love writing on the site, and sharing and spreading things that I am passionate about or feel could help others, but without targeting any one person. Who wants to come and read, can. And whoever finds it does not resonate with them, is not forced in any way to listen. I find this helps me develop my own compassion, and help others in the most non-threatening or judgmental way.
.-= Evita´s last blog ..Essential Energy with Cyndi Dale: The Dream of Love =-.
Hi Evita,
Thank you so much for the kind words and for sharing your journey.
I loved how you wrote that often we forget that reality means different things for different people. I have always found it funny that people like to apply one set standard to everyone. People experience life based on their circumstances and perceptions. Even though humanity is all one…we are all the products of our environment. Yes, it is possible to transcend that environment and rise out of it. However, that does not happen very often. Not everyone is willing to break the mold or ignore the mold so that they can create something new. Maybe that is why we need heroes…they remind us of what is possible if we are willing to take the risk.
Please know that your passion shines through in all your comments and on your blog. That is a wonderful quality to have. Like you, I have reached the conclusion to just speak my truth and if someone likes it, I am very pleased and if someone does not like it, then I am very pleased too. Each person is on their own path and that is awesome.
Hi Nadia,
If I were to describe the me before certain life events, I’d be John the Baptist (without living in cave or poor hygeine). The me after certain life events, calmer, peaceful, less judging, less of a control freak, a reformed perfectionist, etc.
Once we’ve been programmed to forget all that we were born with, thus begins our search…our quest to reconnect with the Divine and swim in the hum of the Universe.
Fabulous two part article.
Blessings for a spectacular Monday!
Peggy
.-= Peggy´s last blog ..Your Moment of Bliss =-.
Hi Peggy,
I loved how you wrote “swim in the hum of the Universe”! That would make an awesome bumper sticker. Actually, I would make that a T-shirt and proudly display that message to the world.
The irony about life is that we need pain and suffering in order to grow. So good for you for learning from your pain and suffering which enabled you to break free from the programming and became such a shining light! You go, girl!
Blessings to you too!
Hi Nadia,
Well, I loved Part 2 as well. Thanks for putting this message out there. I have two points I’d like to make. First, love can be transformational. If you approach a person with love and tolerance in your heart, you can speak the words that person really needs to hear when they will listen to no one else. This happened to me the other day on a listserve I belong to. It was amazing. This woman had been in the victim mode for a long time and I don’t “tolerate” that well but I think I’ve had an effect on her life by sharing some suggestions from the heart. I was afraid of her response but instead, she said “Thank you for the pep talk.” I was amazed. Please know that if you come from your heart during your communications, miracles can happen.
Second, the way I approach tolerance is to look at every person I meet as one of my teachers. If they cut me off in traffic or are yelling in the supermarket or being annoying to me in some way while I’m in line for tea, they can teach me something. If they are in anger and are cutting me off in traffic, I ask where am I not in peace in my own life? Where do I feel anger? I ask for help in letting it go. Where am I being annoying in my life? We are all mirrors of our own behavior. Instead of judging, ask for guidance on healing that part of yourself and thank the person (not out loud) for reminding you to heal this part of yourself. That too, is transformational. I felt the need to share that.
Thanks again, Nadia. I like to have my thoughts and beliefs poked like this. When we question our beliefs, it makes them more solid in some ways.
Namasté,
Melinda
.-= Melinda Pajak´s last blog ..Gift Ideas for the Spiritually Minded =-.
Hi Melinda,
You are most welcome and thank you for sharing your thoughts. People are definitely mirrors for one another and that is something that I always mention on here. What we see in others is a reflection of what we see in ourselves. So you are so right that other people are teachers for us.
And you are right that if we speak from a place of love, miracles can happen. Actually, miracles happen every day if we choose to see them. Good for you for providing help to another person. I am sure that the reason it was so well received was that it was said with love. People are not stupid…they know when someone is talking to them from the heart or from the ego.
Hope all is well with you!
Nadia, this is a great series. I loved both parts. I think you have covered the topic very well, and I really don’t have much to add. I feel very peaceful after reading it, and am adding it to my personal list of favorite blog posts. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings.
.-= Eric | Eden Journal´s last blog ..WIN a $25 Amazon Gift Card! 5 Weeks of Contests, 5 Chances to WIN. Week 4 =-.
Hi Eric,
I am so happy to know that you are adding this series to your personal list of favorite blog posts. That brought a smile to my face. Thank you so much. I hope that all is well with you!
Love can build a bridge. Nice work with these two posts. We have allowed ourselves to be separated from each other and from God based on our differences. A little bit of “slow to anger, and slow to pass judgment” would be a lovely holiday gift from all of us to the world.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Courage =-.
Hi Erin,
Amen to love being able to build a bridge! You are so right that we have allowed ourselves to believe that we are separate from each other. It amazes me when I go out into the world and see that separation constantly on the display. Yet ironically each of our actions adds up to effect the whole world. I mean…we are all being encourage to buy stuff in order to help the economy. So obviously we all are needed and yet so often we forget that “strangers” are not really that separate from us after all.
Nadia, as a person on a spiritual path for some decades myself, I appreciate your message here of unconditional love and bridging our separateness. The strongest evidence that I see of our separateness, and lack of love for each other and other species, is global warming, and our resistance to changing the consumption habits that cause it. I wonder if you would be willing to address global warming, for instance the climate talks in Copenhagen, in a future post. In my view, the problem challenges us to reach a whole new level of spiritual maturity. I’m interested to hear your approach to this issue.
.-= Alison Wiley´s last blog ..Dancing, Reading, Fully Alive =-.
Hi Alison,
It is always nice to meet another fellow seeker on the path. You are so right about global warming being evidence of how people think they are separate from one another. This particular subject is something that is dear to my heart. For spirituality and environmental issues go hand in hand. Actually, everything at its core is a spiritual issue but people don’t see that because they define spirituality in a very limited way. As for dedicating a post on this subject, I was planning on doing so next week. I publish posts on Sundays and Thursdays. So I was aiming to do such a post for this Sunday.
Hope all is well.
Nadia,
Cool. I’ll come visit again in a few days then. Looking forward!
Warm regards.
.-= Alison Wiley´s last blog ..Dancing, Reading, Fully Alive =-.
Hi Alison,
Sounds awesome to me. Have a wonderful rest of the day!
Hi Nadia,
An excellent post–you’ve backed up your wisdom with personal experience.
I remember when I was 17 and my religious parents had invited a guests over for a bhajan (a singing of hymns) and in my youthful arrogance, I had called them a bunch of hypocrites.
And like your experience, mine opened up when absolutes dissolved. And then beliefs dissolved. Stale conditioning is seen through. These days I don’t divide the world up as good and evil, right or wrong, moral or immoral. There is just Awareness, and in awareness, people are sometimes unconscious. It’s a choice but when someone doesn’t know it’s a choice, it’s not a choice for them. Yet.
Thanks for another great article!
k
.-= Kaushik´s last blog ..Acceptance is not something we do; it is something we stop doing =-.
Hi Kaushik,
Thank you so much for the positive feedback. Just so you know, I have had similar experiences at bhajan groups. So I think it is part of the package to some degree.
And yes, you said it so well…those that are not aware are in a state of being unconscious. If they knew better, they would do better. I am happy that you reached that state of awareness. And I totally agree, everyone will reach that state of awareness at some point. May it be sooner than later but each person has to go at their own pace.
Hope all is awesome!
Nadia, just getting caught up here, I really loved these posts together…and as so many have said before me, you beautifully elucidated Jesus’ timeless message of love and tolerance through your own experience. From a religious studies perspective, I have always been fascinated with John and Jesus, and the juxtaposition of them. John is a very ‘old testament’ in the sense of fire and brimstone and judgment against a moral doctrine and all that, and yet paves the way for Jesus on so many levels. Although Jesus has his moments of anger too – overturning the moneychangers tables etc. – it is fascinating how differently they feel when you read them. I think Jesus, when he does these things, shows us how even strong action can come from a place of love…I think sometimes the world demands strong action and strong words, but it doesn’t have to be done from a place of anger or judgment. Personally I do think we can be decisive and loving, certain and tolerant, at the same time.
.-= Lisa (mommymystic)´s last blog ..Spiritual Processing,Transits and Empowerments =-.
Hi Lisa,
Like you, I have always been fascinated about the contrast between Jesus and John. And you are so right, Jesus did have moments in anger as you so mentioned. It is amazing how their style was so different…yet both were rooted in serving something greater. John has always struck me as the kind of person who was a purist and very dedicated. He was a follower of the law to the letter.
Jesus has always seemed more laid back and very aware of what was happening. I guess because he was rooted in love, it was easier to be compassionate and tolerant. I also think it was that compassion and tolerance that guided him when to be angry and when not to be angry. Sometimes you do have to get mad but the problem is so many people get mad regardless of whether that is the proper response given the situation. There has to be wisdom and I think Jesus had a great balance of love and wisdom. I am sure John did to in his own way but his method was quite different.
Hope all is well!
Hi Nadia,
I love how you bring out life lessons through your own personal experience. Its a beautiful post….and well worth the wait
I personally I agree with you totally…the world could truly heal if we could only gift the virtue of love and tolerance to one and all.
Thank you for this wonderful reminder.
With Love
Z
.-= Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..The Decision To Be You =-.
Hi Zeenat,
Thank you so much for the positive feedback. It is much appreciated.
As for what you wrote about the healing of the world, I wonder how much worse do things have to get before people start to give love and tolerance to all? Hopefully, people will wake up to that truth sooner than later.
Hope all is awesome! Love right back at you!
Yes, yes, yes! Operating from love…it is not always possible for us mere mortals…but it is the place I try to start each day from. This is so beautifully written, Nadia…thank you so much for posting this series! Here is a post about some very confused boys…like the kids you talked about in your post and a heinous crime they committed in the small village next to the one where I live. I think this post will make sense to you.
http://orli-shines.blogspot.com/2009/10/tragedy-in-our-community-is-there-space.html
.-= Laura Hegfield´s last blog ..Home Bound-Gnome Mound =-.
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for the kind words. Like you, I try to start each day from a place of love. Some days it is very easy and other days it can be a challenge. But we are all works in progress. So no worries. We just do the best that we can.
And thank you for the link. I will read it after I finish this sentence.
Nadia,
Thanks so much for your positive influence here.. I appreciate you! <3 Jenn
I appreciate this post series so much!
Thanks!
I especially resonated with your journey and this part which I’ve recently been working through the last year:
[When you are stripped bare of everything that you know and have hit rock bottom, it changes the way you look at everything. I began to dig deep and really look at all my psychological issues. There was a lot of stuff that I needed to make peace with and it was not easy.]
I never realized it was a peace issue but I do feel lately that I am so calm.. even the inner dialogue is shifting to ‘loving what is’.. and not attacking so much the thoughts there.. but realizing even they are separate from me.. it is not who i am.. a thought is just a thought. I feel more tolerant to others too as you said. It’s interesting how when all of this is new.. its hard to put words to it, but you did so .. very well and I give you many kudos for that!
Hi Jen,
You are so welcome and thank you for being so open and for all the kind things you wrote.
We are all works in progress so we all have stuff that we need to master and clarify. It is part of the beauty of being alive.
To attain inner peace is an interesting journey. We all have our issues. No one is issue free. So once we are willing to work on those issues, then we begin a wonderful journey to discover our true selves. And once we get to that level of being at peace with who we are, then we are able to be at peace with the rest of the world. That is when tolerance really takes hold. Tolerance is really a form of compassion. In order to give compassion to another, you have to be able to give it to yourself too.
Hope all is awesome!