Individuality

One of Lao Tzu’s messages was, ‘Discover who you are. Observe the world around you and deeply contemplate your impressions. Do not rely on ideologies because to do so will rob your life of meaning.’ In fact it will give the ideology your power (Lee, 2002).

Some time ago I attended a Stanwell Tops; this is where I met Master Lee, and one of many things that stuck was a shared discussion about individuality. The shared discussion began something like this:

“Many years ago, I [Master Lee] attended a conference that lasted three days, but I only remember one concept. A charismatic and down-to-earth speaker named John Savage said:

“Most of the world’s social problems are caused by people being concerned about what other people think of them.”

           

He followed this with.”

“Most people think about themselves 95 % of the time, so even if someone really hates you, they have a maximum of 5%.

If somebody dislikes you for a particular trait, someone else will like you for exactly that same characteristic.”

Have you ever noticed, or overhead in a conversation, at work, in school or at home, that one thing someone else seems to complain about bitterly is exactly what had previously made you proud?

To me, like John Savage I believe the core cause of the vast majority of society’s problems is insecurity. For example, next time, when someone seems to be complaining about you or your work, don’t let yourself become upset or defensive; instead ask yourself why might what they’ve said upset you in the first place?

As everyone sees things differently, it’s entirely possible that they did not mean too hurt you at all likewise their criticism may be genuinely constructive.

As to those few people who seem to want to deliberately hurt you, we can again ask: why? Is it possible that they envy one or many aspects about you? This is a tough but important question because if we react to someone with intent then we are giving them our power.

“Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important whether [they] choose to be so or not. – Nathaniel Hawthorne

This brings me to my next planned entry; Purpose and Passion.

Kudos