COMPASSION
The Impossible Task of Aligning Realities
We are kind souls, not a collection of data
“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” ― Marcus Aurelius
We aren’t black or white, male or female, gay or straight, young or old.
We aren’t a box that gets ticked on a census report confirming our skin color, sexuality, or country of origin. We are not left or right. Progressive or traditional. Single or married. Thinker or feeler.
We are simply different with different realities and experiences.
It’s easy then to understand why we don’t always see eye-to-eye. What appears so clear and true to one person is completely false to another.
Perhaps this is a byproduct of our consumption society where companies continue to put us into the appropriate boxes so they can sell us the shoes designed for our lifestyle.
Facebook has 52,000 data points on each of its 3 billion users that they use for advertising. And through that data, they believe they know people.
It’s no wonder we continue to argue on social media and cannot agree on such simple things as whether we need to save a tree, help a dog, or feed a starving child.
Society doesn’t allow us to see each person for who they truly are because we see each other through a manufactured lens that filters us down to obscure categories.
Maybe it is time to stop it.
We are each a collection of billions and billions of inputs and experiences over years of existence. Let’s acknowledge and accept that it is mathematically impossible for us to see the same reality.
Let’s appreciate and accept that everyone is coming from a different space and one person’s reality is not another’s.
Let’s move beyond the labels society puts on us and see the person on the other side as they are rather than how society wants us to view them.
Let’s consider that while we may feel we are right, we may not be. And when we are wrong, admit it.
One of the greatest things we can teach children is for them to understand how little they will ever know. And what was deemed as fact is sometimes found not to be so.
Science, medicine, and religion have frequently misled us down self-serving paths and have often been wrong.
Beyond our intellect, we need to see the world through our emotional and spiritual lens. Our heads assimilate information but our hearts allow us to see the world more clearly.
Without our hearts, we are mere robots. Our hearts allow us to see the nuance and humanity in the world. Data and information will never tell us how someone is feeling.
While we may be having a good day, someone else may be dealing with an unspoken challenge that is causing them pain. This could be a person close to us or someone unknown on social media.
As we start a new year, let’s give room for their pain and show them understanding and kindness. Let’s be careful with our words and what we know to be right. Look beyond the labels and see the person.
Because none of us are immune from the pains of this world.
Be kind.
I thank all of you who take the time to read and share on my posts. I find Medium a great place for learning, understanding, and healing. I so appreciate all of the sharing that takes place here. And I have loved the many, many stories I have read from all of you over the year. I wish you all a very healthy and happy 2024.