What if Irony is Judging Others for Lacking Empathy?
Just as
taking responsibility
is not the same
as accepting
blame.
Taking responsibility
is not the same
as tolerating
hate.
When we have done something
we regret
we may take responsibility
for our past
and future actions.
While simultaneously inviting others
to take responsibility
for their own hate
of our mistakes.
Often times
we say we want something
when really
we want to prevent
something else.
Something
we do not want.
Some say
they want
growth,
but really
they do not want
to be small.
Some say
they want
wealth,
but really
they do not want
to be poor.
Some say
they want success,
but really
they do not want
to fail.
Playing
not to
lose
instead of playing
to win.
Move on,
they say.
Move with,
we experience.
Sometimes
we put it down.
We may even put them
in storage for a while.
But eventually
we take it out
pick it back up
and move with it.
And as we do
there may come a moment
when we look at it
with new eyes.
As if to discover
old photographs.
Photographs
we now cherish.
Not for the content
of the past.
But for its meaning
in the present.
At each transition,
we may crave the answer
to 3 questions.
Where do I want
to go?
Who do I want
to be
or become
in that journey?
What makes the where
and the who
worth the struggle
for me,
personally?
Sometimes
we see men
calling women
“emotional,”
when it may be more accurate
to call them
emotionally aware
or emotionally
open.
Sometimes
we see women
accuse men
of “suffering less,”
when it may be more accurate
to accuse them
of numbing themselves
or pretending
to be fine.
Sometimes
we complain that our advice falls
on deaf ears.
If so
it may be worth discerning
the kind of problem
to which we’re giving
advice.
One type of problem
is a dilemma.
A dilemma arises
when we want to catch two birds
with one stone.
If our advice to someone with a dilemma
is to kill
just one bird.
The likelihood
of that advice falling on deaf ears
is high.
The decision
can only be made
by the decision
maker.
No matter how much we dislike
the decision made,
the responsibility of decision making
lies solely
with the decision
maker.
In much the same way,
the decision we make
in response to other’s decisions
is our responsibility.
Just as
an olympic athlete
is not an altruist
for contributing a gold medal
for the country they represent.
We need not be altruistic
to make significant contributions
to others
or the world at large.
To those
who carry the burden.
The small business CEOs,
responsible for paying their employees’
salaries.
The parents,
responsible for their children’s
well-being.
The operating room doctors,
responsible for their patients’
lives.
To all those
who have experienced the weight
of responsibility on their shoulders.
You may be feeling the pressure
to meet expectations.
You may be blaming yourself
day after day
for failing to meet
expectations.
But may you never lose
the certainty
and confidence in yourself.
May you never doubt
your self-worth
or whether you’re working hard enough.
Because your life
is worthy of respect
exactly as they are.
While others may see you
challenged,
I see greatness.
Just
as the great mountains and valleys
are mere residues
of nature
under pressure and weight.
Great lives
are mere residues
of our will to sustain life
under pressure and weight.
p.s: This was inspired by my wife’s work and her comparison of nature’s work under pressure and weight and an artist’s work under pressure and weight.
p.p.s: I also made a video version of this narrated by AI.
Sometimes
we think the reason why
we feel anxiety
is because of the burden we feel
to keep our promise
to our investors.
But upon realizing empathy,
with ourselves
or our investors,
we may realize
that it may actually be
because we judge ourselves
as less capable
of carrying the burden
than others.
