WYSIWYG

What You See Is What You Get. This is a journal blog, an explore-blog, a bit of this and that blog. Sharing where the mood takes me. Perhaps it will take you too.

MenoSundays; Life Lived Lovingly.

One of the tools the YAMster uses when needing to clear her head and shrug off negativity is to allow a book from her shelf of philosophical and religious texts to fall open. The book is held to the heart and and a request made for guidance then simply permitted to open at whatever page comes first. If it's a prose piece, then a paragraph will naturally attract the eye and only that paragraph is read. If it is a scriptural versification, then a single verse will be taken.

This is the one which appeared during recent tribulation at the Hutch. It is something so common sense, yet to read it as an 'external' gave it a dimension which was extremely pertinent and useful. It is not that one didn't already apply much of what was written, but the affirmation brought relief. It is shared with you in Love.

"What ought to be our attitude while dealing with people?"

Jana Aadr[Iya ivñsnIya n tu z<knIya>.1.
Janaa aadaraniiyaa vishvasaniiyaa na tu shangkaniiyaaH ||1||
People should be respected and trusted, not suspected.

This is echoed in Biblical scripture; 'do unto others as you would have others do unto you'. It is a simple formula, yet how complicated we make it! We should behave in the manner in which we ourselves would like to be treated. It applies in all situations and at all levels in all types of relationships.

Living in harmony with people is difficult. Some find it easier to deal with animals or machines, as they are somewhat predictable and, moreover, are not so likely to answer back. It can be said there are two kinds of folk; those who 'have' difficulties and those who 'are' difficult. There are those who work and those who take the credit. In families we live together, yet have difficulty 'living together'. Strange and awkward are the human relationships! However, retreating into a world of animals or machines does not help us. People have to be dealt with at some time or other. How then to do this? What should our attitude be?

All too often we are on the defensive and we start out relationships with an element of suspicion, always trying to second-guess what the other is thinking, being suspicious of some underlying motive. We hold back our trust until the other proves themselves to us. However, put yourself in the shoes of the one being mistrusted and suspected. If you have to continually prove your worth, does it not become wearisome, depressing even? Is there not then a tendency to just give up? Similarly, to be the one always doubting means that one is not in a happy space.

Surely, there are those who do not have the most unselfish motives in life, but we simply cannot, for our own sakes, go around all the time suspecting and accusing. When we trust others, we invoke some level of goodness in them in turn. It may not be immediate, but very rarely can those who are 'difficult' resist the force of good will. This is not to say one ought to lack caution; particularly if a history is known. Nevertheless, trust in the values of goodness and warmth of spirit. Almost without fail it will anyway draw the people and relationships to you that you desire and will assist you also in your personal progress. Look for the things which connect you rather than separate you. There are quite likely to be some shared interests and even if these are slender ropes upon which to sling a new relationship, they at least serve as an anchorage from which to explore.

Respect and trust are the firm foundation of all lasting and worthwhile relationships. They are not automatic. They require building.


10 comments:

  1. YaYa,
    The Golden Rule is how I strive to live my life too. It is hard sometimes since there are so many negative folks around!!
    "What ought to be our attitude while dealing with people?" is such a good thing to remember!!
    Hugs HiC

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  2. Yam Aunty
    Here is a link to a blog I recently started following. They are located about 50 miles from me here in NC. She has a very similar message as yours today
    http://thefastandthefurriestat.weebly.com/blogs/always-and-forever

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  3. It is sad that we go to untrusting as our first reaction to other humans. I think it is because the news teaches us to not trust others. We hear the worst stories and not the best. Thanks for the reminder to trust more than we suspect.

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  4. I find it such a pleasure to live with young people.

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  5. Such true and wise words.

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  6. Hello, trusting can be hard to do. I will try more, thanks for sharing these wise words. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

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  7. I know that what you write is true yet I still take some time before I truly trust another person. That started for me when a stranger on a trail pulled out a gun and shot my dog dead many years ago. Now, I am always wary of people who I don't know. I am willing to "try" in a careful way but I'm afraid that the PTSD from that incident many years ago will always haunt me.

    I do try to give people the benefit of the doubt when they are simply unpleasant (but not dangerous), trying to treat them as I would want to be treated if I were having a very bad day. That's the best that I can do.

    Wonderful message.

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    Replies
    1. Hari OM
      Of course, when one has such experiences, it greatly alters one's approach; and sensibly so. Additionally, where one lives can make a difference of requirement... that said, the vast majority of people in the greater part of the world are only seeking to live their lives and, as you say, require only to be given benefit to open up. Sometimes, it is we ourselves who require that benefit... Sending Love, Yxx

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  8. It is a sensible thing to do, the ethic of reciprocity.
    I am finding myself increasingly suspicious with strangers.
    It's a lovely technique, to open a book at random! xx

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