The Flip Side

I had to change my mind. Regarding my thoughts and opinions about a particular person I had already ‘judged’ as being somehow self-involved in any way possible. Yes, this person is famous. And successful. And well-known. And talkative. And giving to many others in ways I would not have expected: helping people, and their families, and their livelihood survive when things seemed their most bleak. And not only not wanting credit for this, but actually shunning the spotlight for his service to humanity. My blindfold was quickly torn away when I read about this person and what he has been doing over the past 18 months of the Pandemic, the Politicization of nearly everything, and the contentious atmosphere he faced. He did the right thing.

How did I reach those conclusions? It’s something I can’t possibly trace with any sort of accuracy, but it happened largely because I looked at the surface of something I did not know, did not try to know any better, and made a decision that served my ego; placing myself above this man as a better human being. Why? Because it was easy. And could be dismissed as such. The ‘High Road’ is not, however, the easy road; something we tend to forget all too often, particularly when dealing with our fellow humans. Quickly making a decision and moving on, allowing us to think and do other things more important to our own well-being. And also allowing us to think only of ourselves; our wants, needs, and desires. Rather than open our eyes, look around, and take in what we see. What we truly see. The good, the bad, and the ugly, and treat these all the same. We accept the good without question. But the ‘bad,’ or the ‘ugly?’ Not so much. What the difference is here, is what can change in the world, or at least our little corner of it, in ways we cannot yet see, but we know—deeply and with conviction—that we need to try to make a difference.

Will we succeed? Will we fail? Perhaps a little of each, as the situation begins to react to the efforts on its behalf and more people are encouraged to reach out and try to improve things. At this point is when the project we have taken on begins to take on a life of its own as things begin to unfold in ways we could not have predicted, as we start to see things we hadn’t thought of, but are moving the dial toward a better life and a better world. Some things we envisioned will come to be, and others will never see the light of day; replaced by others’ thoughts and actions, but with the same goals in mind.

Begin. Begin to trust. Other people. Ourselves. And our human capacity for survival, growth, and love. Truly seeing what is in front of us, without judgement, without ego, and with trust and love, is the way to begin doing the ‘right things,’ to follow the ‘High Road.’ Really working to make the world, our society, and the people around us better is truly the flip side of that judgement coin that isolates us, and makes the world a bleak place. Which side would we rather see, even if it is harder?