People

People cease to amaze. If they did cease to amaze, then what an utterly dreary place earth would be. We come from all walks of life; all sorts of chips off our shoulders, all sorts of upbringings, cultures, customs, beliefs etcetera. I can go on forever. It is impossible to have everyone think the same way; yes very well impossible; for we are all different and unique individuals with specific personalities and drives. Sometimes it's hard to swallow; tis true everyone is not going to agree with you, or see things your way. We all have singular agendas and thought processes and during our journey here, specific lessons brought into our lives to accomplish, understand and in due course overcome. Despite your progress and advancement along the path of life; some others will never be able to comprehend where you're at or what it is you're going through. Not because they're stupid or slow; but because it's not their time to learn that particular lesson as yet, or simply that it is irrelevant to their journey and so they are mentally blocked off to seeing it.

It becomes discouraging, disappointing, daunting and heartrending at times when people do or say things intentionally or un-intentionally to hurt you or bring you down. There are so many mind games human-beings like to play, they're always trying to get 'one-up-on-you'; and drain your energy, determination or drive to make themselves feel better. It seems real odd for those of us that care not to play games but embrace everyone for who they are and where they're at in life's journey; that it's mind-blowing to think that people can just be downright disparaging and mean!

Masters and prophets like Jesus, Siddhartha, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Mohammed to name a few who be-friended and learned from even the most simple, meek, mild and humble people and even from those who were crude, angry and un-kind to others (for with every action there is an equal and opposite reaction and therefore a reason for everyone's behaviour). We can learn a great deal from their examples of love, acceptance and non-judging attributes to practice within our own lives.

At times when people around you make spiteful and insensitive comments, or act out in ways that make you wonder about their ultimate motive; I would recommend a wonderful piece of literature I came across while reading 'The Autobiography of a Yogi' by Paramahansa Yogananda who had a lovely excerpt by Thayumanaver, which read:

"…You can control a mad elephant; you can shut the mouth of the bear and the tiger; you can ride a lion; you can play with the cobra; By the alchemy you can eke out your livelihood; you can wander through the universe incognito; you can make vassals of the gods; you can be ever youthful; you can walk on water and live in fire; but control of the mind is better and more difficult…"

Which I find this passage to be holding great value and worth; for we as humans judge constantly, we are ruled by the ego; thinking we are better than others because of the colour of our skin, the curls in our hair, our status, or the job we do to pay the bills; always trying to make divisions and prove that 'you are better because'; when this is the wrong direction to head in. We are reflections of each other; none better than the other, none divided by the other; all part of the bigger picture, the many streams and rivers leading to the same ocean. We must learn to love others as we love ourselves, and treat others how we wish to be treated.

And for those who not yet know this special secret of happiness, then try your best to make your mind an ally; to work for and with you and not against you. Take a breath of air and put things in perspective. Don't ask why people are doing this to you. Ask, why am I reacting to this situation in this way? Why does it make me displeased? If others are rudimentary, and un-caring, then let them be; they do not know any better or they are still struggling with themselves and their over-active and negative-thinking mind. Be still and know that you are protected, loved, and in constant company of your guides and heavenly angels that wish to keep you in a cheerful mood and lead you to where it is you need to be. So trust in that and say, 'Here I am!' and 'Is it me you need?'Listen to the sounds of the evening; and turn people's tactless words into a smile upon your face, because you are stronger than you think, you have grace, elegance and the power to not react but just absorb it for what it is; words; words that have no merit or control over you and your thoughts. Let it roll off you as water runs off a duck's back…

Practice self-love and eliminate those negative energies.

Bless-up!

Jair J