Lost and Finding Joy

People are people. Most of the time we do whatever makes us feel secure. Some things make us feel secure that might scare other people to death — like doing new things or chasing dreams. Some things other people do might scare us to death. Sometimes we do things that offend others. Some things other people do might offend us. That’s why they call it 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 world. One third of the people will love you, one third won’t like you, one third won’t even pay attention to your existence. You could also say that you like 1/3, dislike 1/3, and are indifferent to the other third. It’s the reality of life.

Sometimes we tend to focus on other people’s flaws to help us cover up our own flaws. In fact, it’s been said that the more something bothers us about another person, the more likely it is something we don’t prefer within ourselves. Not always. Sometimes other people’s behaviors disrupt our peace of mind, and that’s the bother. It’s worth doing a self-check though.

If we truly understood that everyone is basically acting and doing things that make them feel more secure, we could forgive more easily. We are all spiritual beings having a human experience. The word Namaste translates to: The divine in me recognizes and honors the divine in you. No matter how unskillful someone is behaving, there is usually a reason for such behavior. We are all guilty to some degree. Rather than judging or casting stones at each other, it would behoove us to pray for our enemies. It doesn’t mean what they do is okay. It doesn’t mean to accept bad behavior. It just means we shouldn’t judge and cast stones. We can love the person, and despise the sin. We can also set boundaries and love people from a distance, while working on ourselves. Because the truth is, loving others as ourselves helps us feel the most secure.

³ And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

⁴ Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

⁵ Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:3-5 KJV