The sun sets on another day…
I watched the sunset through gleaming trees covered in sparkles of light. The red hues lit up droplets of water and it seems like Christmas in August.
I am back to reading an excessive amount and have been pushing my writing even harder. I have far too many outstanding projects that could all be outstanding.(Do you like how I used that word differently?) In my reading I tried to read at least one self-help book every few weeks. Some of them are very prophetic, some of them are not.
As I read a book recently it spoke considerably about how we have a choice each day on how to approach the world. If you have read what I have been writing this aligns very clearly and apparently I align with a group of philosophers who disagree with Freudian approaches to the world. I read Freud years ago and did not agree with a lot of what he said but some of it made really good sense. With that in mind I wanted to put this post out there.
I learned a long time ago that I am me and you are you and we are both special in our own way. I adapt to the world around me and try not to overwhelm too much or to compare myself to others but instead try to see from their point of view how they see me and in doing so find a way to be comfortable around them and allow them to be comfortable around me. Sometimes this works, sometimes it’s pretty horrible, sometimes it’s amazing.
In approaching the world like this I try not to compete unless I’m playing a game. If I’m playing a game, like Spades or Euchre, I will do everything I can to win. If I am playing a game in any way I like to win. With people I do not feel there is an easy way to win because it’s not a game and we are not in competition. Yes I am getting to a point so bear with me.
The idea of superiority or inferiority sets us apart in competition. With that in mind you have to ask yourself ‘why?’ because it is hard to compete without being on an equal playing field. With each of us being different the playing field can never be equal, this is why there is a winner in the Olympics because we are all different and someone has created a situation through training and perseverance that they can compete effectively and win. With interpersonal relationships we should not be in competition. I know this is my opinion but as I write here today, follow along with me.
How many times have you seen people talking and there is a series of conversations where the situations get larger and larger as they talk about one thing bigger than another. Not only have I done this but I have seen it a lot. Then about 15 years ago I decided it wasn’t necessary. If people were really interested in what I had done I would tell them and sometimes it came across as though I was pushing something bigger but I wasn’t. I was just relaying what had happened in my life that applied to a particular situation. I didn’t raise any Flags or try to take things higher after that and if someone said something else I politely agreed and went on. The people that I interacted with that constantly went on to bigger and bigger responses always were listening for that in so they could take it further. They weren’t listening to what was being said nor were they listening to learn but usually they were listening so they could either relay or fabricate a bigger story. And yes I have heard about the 70 lb fish that someone caught that no one ever saw and there was no picture of, oops.
To me the proper way is to tell people about something they want to hear and then move on and listen to what they can teach you. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if as we communicated we just took a moment and said “yes I have been to France and here are some places you might like” instead of creating a series of more and more cyclic cyclones of craziness that offer nothing but a feeling of superiority? Who knows.
What I do know is that I learn something new everyday. I may be learning it from you. I may learn a dozen new things from people much younger than I am and much older. I am not the most intelligent person in the world, nor am I the least. My goal is to learn and interact and enjoy my time on this planet. What better life is there then one filled with learning? What better life is there than enjoying people who enjoy being around you?
Boy that was a lot of words. Are you tired yet? I just want to suggest today that as you think about competing consider instead competing against yourself. If you’re thinking about making a statement, make it to yourself. Mostly when someone feels superior to you just remember that you are special. No one is superior to you unless you let them be, they are just different. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Keep making the world a better place by seeing past the shallow things that go on around you and finding a better path. I know you can do it. Oh and have some fun.
So as the sun sets on another day, people aren’t the same. Appreciate people for their differences. Remember that you are good at some things and others may be good at others. Never think you are the smartest person in the room unless you’re alone. Even then remember that the invisible guy in the corner might have made a potion so he could listen in on you. Being you is a great thing, never let anyone take that away from you, no matter what.
Sleep sweet, love life, and Ready Set Go…