On the world stage, there are so many things that are unfolding at a rapid pace, and I feel that once again – it’s so important for each one of us to remain in our centre, spend time in nature to ground ourselves, and trust in the process of life.
I want to bring up a topic that I’ve witnessed, that has crept onto all social media platforms – especially over the past year.
The topic is the insidious approach that some individuals seem to have on social media platforms in bullying and belittling others who do not share their opinion or point of view on a topic.
We are all in this together and we all have different views. Isn’t that OK?
Everyone has the right to have and express an opinion, to be heard, and to have their ideas recognised – even those who disagree with us.
That’s why, whenever we engage someone on a topic where we disagree, let’s start by trying to understand that person’s principles and their cultural and social context.
If people feel like we’re judging them or attacking what they consider to be their rights – it’s very unlikely that they’ll listen to us.
The fact that I might think differently from you doesn’t make me a better or worse person than you. On the contrary, when we support each other, seek the truth together, and foster growth and expansion in each other – we give each other the profound respect that every human being deserves.
When I see people name calling on social media platforms or interacting aggressively with no respect for others because they feel that others may not have ‘woken up’ to their idea of ‘truth’, I immediately switch-off.
The others are ‘sheeple’, ‘haven’t woken up to the truth’, ‘are not awake’, are not ‘critical thinkers’, or are ‘deeply unconscious’ complex.
At best it lacks awareness – at worst it demonstrates simple arrogance. The ‘I know better than you’ culture of immaturity, disrespect and fear.
What seems like “common sense” for us may not be evident at all to someone else. Is a person less valuable because he or she doesn’t agree with us? No.
Can we begin by truly listening to others and finding the common ground? Can we then share our own reasons and support someone’s understanding of our perspective on issues of importance?
How does a person ‘wake people up’ to the many injustices, inconsistencies and greed driven interests that are going on in the world?
By opening the door and showing people that they have and indeed can make different choices – not by shoving ‘your truth’ aggressively down people’s throats.
Lead by example. It’s that simple.
Our actions speak louder than our words, and how we live our lives speaks in volumes.