Slice of Life

  “Living in a world where we have become too dependent upon expecting instant results, we have lessened our capacity to adjust or accommodate. Very few people have patience or fortitude to see things through with love and insight.”

The tolerance power in the people today is decreasing day by day resulting into increase in their temper. Very often we see that waiting for the traffic signal to turn green makes one grumble, angry and some even turn red with fury! Moreover even a small cause for example if a telephone does not connect to someone you are trying makes us curse the phone lines or the internet companies. When a gas stove does not ignite in one click, we tend to get heated.  

All the above stated facts are basic every day practical things. Yet what about tolerating differing ideologies and beliefs? We are very quick in judging, hating or even stooping down to the extent of killing because we cannot tolerate the other for who they are or what they represent? To be inflexible or obstinate is ego; the belief that I am right or that mine is the only way forward leads to stubbornness and miscommunication. If I am at least open and humble, I will be willing to stop, listen, and wait and shall always welcome the outcome that shall always come out to be positive. I may even learn a thing or two, but when impatience gets the better of me, I develop a short aggressiveness and the whole track is disrupted!

A deeper, more subtle aspect to this ego is when a person is impatient or intolerant in dealing with their own personality, especially the negative habits as they overrule the brain. Trying to cover up and not wanting to face the truth or manage one’s own shortcomings, a person instead strives to prove that he really does not care or doesn’t want anything or need anyone or aspire to anything in life. Because of all the inner battle within one’s heart, a person tends to shy away from the golden opportunities that come across, just for the fear of being a failure. It is that ego within that guides to not to try for it is better this ways than to fail and make a fool of oneself. But have we ever realised as to exactly who are we fooling? Our own self and no one indeed! Running away from a situation or avoidance means that we are not stretching our boundaries or limits nor are we learning or progressing in life. We are stagnant for the fear within makes us lazy, selfish and self-centered.

A growing aptitude is all about taking risks and pushing oneself to go ahead an extra mile and not just taking the easy way out by remaining firmly within our own comfort zone. This ways we can build a supernatural capability within us and can even see where it is that we have fixed the ‘blinkers’ in life that refuse to deal with certain situations. It is only then that one can progress.

Every day should pass with the feeling that I have learnt something new and grown from it. Even if my learning is just to see something in a new light or gain a new perspective, at least I have expanded my thinking. This cannot happen if I always believe that I am the one who is right and therefore no one can teach me anything.  I need to be open and engaging otherwise my capacity shrinks rather than expands. It requires a deep level of understanding and commitment to analyse the ratio of your own self-progress and well-being. Whatever situation a person is challenged with, one can definitely ask his/her inner self – what can I learn from this? Why has this situation arisen in front of me and not someone else?  And, when we really learn the lesson of humility, we should also ask what can do to inspire others from my learning?

It’s not only about others being my teachers but I can learn from observing myself and the entire performance of my lifetime itself. Instead of cursing the traffic jam etc., I should choose to use the time to slow down my racing horses. When we think that things have taken a turn for the worse then turn it around to find the benefits from that situation, it is wrong.  We should be curious instead of judgemental. It may not be comfortable at first, but having just extended your capabilities will reap benefits for you in every area of life. We cannot receive love or respect until I give it first.

It’s Time… to stretch ourselves by shedding down our ego to accommodate and adjust by being flexible and graceful because as we expand out of our comfort zone, we will truly feel that we are living not just for ourselves but for everyone around us. There is a lot life can teach … if we are willing to learn.

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