If we can just be people together; human beings. Being, the right way.

We’ve heard, Human “Being” vs human doing.

It’s the doing part that fucks things up; our behavior. There is a right way to be. And, for things to be right, we must be able to admit our part objectively and to our mistakes, and face what is, and what is is that we’re all human beings; here together. Or, we should be, and if we’re not then we’re separated by stories; two sides opposed; at odds about the way things should be. Things. Situations. Stuff.

We all have more or less appreciation, at any given time, for life and for others. We’re all constantly moving from one encounter to another. How mindful we are and how true we are to ourselves and what light we hold ourselves and others in is very important.

Conflict and arguments happen when there is disagreement about what is and the way things should be. It’s nice when both sides can find common ground. After all, we share common ground. Most just can’t see it for what it is.

I prefer not to sit in the same seat all the time.

I play musical chairs, and see what I find.

And, I’ve found that most like to sit in the same seat all the time, where they’re comfortable and right.

As long as one knows where another sits, outcomes are predictable. And, unless one’s planned for a desired outcome, and anticipating the behavior of the other… we fall prey to our seat, and react as we think we should. We’re then simply faced with a new story, while remaining in the same seat; perhaps further stuck than we were before. The other’s seat may or may not have changed either. Likely not.

Think of a situation that really gets your blood boiling. Maybe a family member or friend. Maybe a situation at work. Maybe the sight of someone not wearing (or wearing) a mask in a public place.

Now imagine that situation as you can imagine staring into a pond, where the sunlight is reflecting right into your eyes; not a cloud in the sky. Blinding.

You’re at the pond fishing, and as you walk along the shore you’re wanting to see below the surface and to see some fish so you’ll know where to cast. You may realize, it’s not the suns fault that you can’t see. And, you may realize, you have the choice to turn around and to head in the other direction.

But, depending on the conditions, you still may not be able to see below the surface. Realize, this is temporary. Conditions change.

Back to the situation you had in mind…

It’s temporary right?… even if it’s a situation you deal with regularly. The moment is temporary. And, this is about exploration of self, and how we react to things.

When facing the unpleasant situation, you could try turning the other direction. And, you could also try facing it with a little more patience with yourself and with the other person(s). As hard as it may be, realize you’re not in control of others. You are in control of yourself and of how you respond.

Consider this too…

Light can be blinding, and it’s also needed to see.

When blinded by it, in the case of the pond and fishing, I like to say, it’s just one of those days, and I don’t need to see the fish to be able to cast. I might get lucky.

The other thing… if you’re never blinded, it’s hard if not impossible to grow. If you’re always seeing and doing things the same way, that’s very limited, and that’s just not the way life is. It’s good to be challenged.

If I only ever casted where I could see the fish, that would leave 90% of the pond unexplored.

The biggest fish I’ve ever caught were from casts at night and from casts into deeper, unknown waters.