What if Irony is Judging Others for Lacking Empathy?
Sometimes,
we discover in hindsight,
that we have wasted our energy
on a distraction.
When this happens,
it may be easy to blame ourselves
for not having had
foresight.
But without a clear direction,
what counts as distraction
and what does not
may only become obvious
in hindsight.
To decide with foresight
may we gain clarity of direction
first
to helps us discern
what counts as distraction
and what does not.
May we choose
to take responsibility
instead of blaming ourselves.
“What is the point
of life?”
we sometimes
ask.
May we not forget
that we can also ask
“What is the circle
of life?”
or
“What is the sphere
of life?”
We need not choose
to limit our lives
to a point.
In the creative process,
when someone asks
“What are you making?”
an honest answer
is often times
“I don’t know.”
And yet,
we sometimes
make up an answer
and take offense
when others
do not understand,
while we ourselves
also
do not understand,
which means others
cannot understand.
One
of the simplest ways to notice
that we may have met
the limit of our ability
to respect
is to hear ourselves think
“Why don’t they just…?”
A simple way
to dehumanize an employee
is to think
that we can demand
they conform to our image
of what an employee
should be like.
A simple way
to dehumanize an employer
is to think
that we can demand
they conform to our image
of what an employer
should be like.
When we feel
like we don’t
matter
we can naturally desire
control,
manipulation,
and even
violence.
To call us
insecure
in that moment,
while not
incorrect,
omits the valid reason
for our insecurity,
thereby making us seem
crazy,
weak,
or inept,
exacerbating the feeling
of not mattering,
thereby perpetuating
a vicious
cycle.
The truth
is not always easy
to articulate.
When perspectives
are easier to articulate
than the truth,
we may be tempted
to articulate our perspective
as the truth.
But perspectives in isolation
while not
untrue
can never be
the truth.
Some people
judge the younger generation
as “snowflakes.”
What I see
is a generation
with higher standards.
Higher standards
of emotional literacy
and emotional intelligence.
The kind of standards that,
if understood accurately
and implemented effectively,
may finally stop
the vicious cycle
of generational
trauma.
Making art
can begin with nothing more
than a thought.
One that says
“Hm…
There is something
here,”
A thought that inspires
a sense
of intrigue.
Progress is made
when intrigue inspires
yet another thought.
One that says
“I wonder
what that something
is?”
A thought that inspires
a sense
of wonder.
…
But then
a fork in the road
appears.
One that tests
our courage
and humility.
Humility
because we have to admit
we don’t know
what that something
is
and value
the process of coming
to know it.
Courage
because it will cost us
time,
energy,
among other things
to pursue this journey
of following through
with the sense
of wonder.
This is the same
whether your art
is writing,
making sculpture,
or starting
a business.
When we judge ourselves
as selfish,
it is often nothing more
than a symptom
of our fear
of being judged by others
as selfish.
