“Personal importance or taking things personally, is the maximum expression of selfishness, because we make the assumption that everything is about me.” — Don Miguel Ruiz
How many instances can you name in the past two weeks in which you have taken a personal affront when an individual or group ignored, disagreed or insulted you? What was your knee jerk response? Over time, we have been carefully conditioned to react and not respond to what we believe are personal attacks. Stepping back objectively and not subjectively, gives us an opportunity to respond, if that is your choice . . . or simply say nothing at all and walk away. One of the most challenging principles to incorporate into our behavior and interpersonal relationships, is not to take anything personally, or make assumptions. What is really going on within the conduct/behavior of another human being is only supposition on our part. We can’t know all the intricacies of what we believe is a personal attack . . . and practicing the conscious choice of letting it go, takes tremendous insight and practice which I do not minimize by any means. Eckhart Tolle had another insight . . . “Meet everyone and everything through stillness rather than mental noise.”
When we first monitor ourselves and consciously perceive how we interact with everyone, brings us an immense awareness that is immeasurable. Once this process begins there is no turning back, because you have now removed the filter that blocked your conscious ability and understanding to move forward. I appreciate the words of Gian Carlo Menotti when he states, “A man only becomes wise when he begins to calculate the approximate death of his ignorance.”
What are your fundamental priorities? In this moment, if you had to distill only one driving force in your life that takes precedent over everything else, what would it be? With conscious awareness, the response to this question is not impossible . . . challenging yes . . . which may take some individuals a great deal of contemplation. We are products of our orientation, environment, education over-lays, and indoctrination by well-meaning individuals. Consciousness at times, becomes the essence of a select few and is further reflected in the words of Ayn Rand, “The truth is not for all men, but only for those who seek it.” Are you seeking consciousness, truth or something else? JLR