Rethinking Undermines Our Comfort Level

Our bubble, silo, pod keeps us insulated. Our echo chamber protects us. We feel safe in our sense of who we are, when we are surrounded by those who think, behave and analyze situations as we do. But we need to hear both sides. Be willing to not just hear, but listen intently to others. We might not agree with them, but we must be able to listen.

Binary bias takes a very messy world, our topsy-turvy world- our fluid existence and splits it into sides. Once we begin to listen, we see that there are two sides, two opinions, two movements, two points of view and many gray, shaded areas in between we see the world more binary. This openness creates a level of polarization that is very much ramped today. The us versus them mentality. We have to be able to see both sides, accept both sides and rather than make a line in the sand- erase them.

We need to be able to empathize, sympathize with others, and analyze new information as if we are desperately trying to learn something new. Not necessarily change our foundation- but give it a good quake. So, we can see the cracks, gouges, and instability in our thinking. Once we understand that we have fault lines surrounding us- we can better prepare for the aftershocks of enlightenment.

I hear, I see- I am confused, baffled and downright saddened by the words and actions of those so tight in their bubble- they choose to hate, disparage, and denigrate others- rather than pause and look inward. Reflection, rethinking, understanding ourselves- is very challenging. Pondering inward can be difficult. We truly need to believe we are good people. That we make good choices. That we are mindful.

Yet, mindfulness is not permanent. It is a constant upgrade, shift and battle ground of misconceptions bombarding us. We walk the Earth with our personal arsenal, yet we often forget to search our tool bag. We over-react, get angry, say things we don't mean. React with spite. Seek revenge. Talk with confidence when we lack the competence. WE push ourselves without readiness.

This sudden, this lapse, this action gives us our setbacks. It prevents us from moving forward. It locks us in place, spinning wheels clouding the sky with dust and gravel. We cough and choke, yet still dig in our heels- because we think we are right. We choose not to look at our mistakes as blips. For that is what they are. Blips in time. The work we put into to working through the blips- that is life, that is experience.

Words are floating around, looping, spinning, piercing. Some make it into our field of view. Some pop our bubble of protection. Some bounce off like particles of air- not strong enough to penetrate our pod, our silo, our bubble. But some in rapid succession, cause the collapse of our safety net. This can be a good thing. Safety nets are adjustable.

Our sense of security widens and narrows. Our happiness ebbs and flows. Our sense of self should shift along with it. We need to look deep inside. Reflect. Rethink. With rationality and perspective. There is no need to overcompensate and damage. There is no need to destroy others from behind a computer screen because we are bored and restless and disappointed.

We need to keep our minds open. Our words cautious. Our responses mindful, rather than our actions hostile. It is a tumultuous world, to say the least. So much hurt and frustration. Disenfranchisement and isolation. It is expected- the anger and lashing out. But it is time to pause- listen and reflect. Rethink and adjust. So, we can unite against a common enemy. Not one another.