Tagadvice

Everything Is Connected

Dear All Humans,

Listen and love. Ignorance is our enemy. We all share a different perspective in this reality, but it still comes together as this one reality. In school and maps, they speak of multiple oceans, but is there not one large connected ocean? If we pollute one ocean, won’t it spread around the world? If a volcano erupts, will the ashes not be spread throughout the atmosphere? Humans, or rather, life is no different. Life is not something we possess. It is not ours to give or take. Rather, we share the experience of life. We share a different view of this grand experience called life.

Even if one beach is calm and clean to an observer, there may be a storm on another coast that is fearsome to another observer, and will eventually change the seemingly calm beach. Sometimes a threat may not be apparent or may not appear to affect us, but that doesn’t mean to ignore it, for it may affect us soon. Imagine if a storm is coming and we are safe but a neighboring town is at risk of flooding. It is our responsibility to help them prepare. If not, we can’t say it is their problem or blame them if they must take refuge in our homes.

Is this us?

The real illusion is separation of “You” and “I”, because ultimately, we are one. Just like the oceans or the skies. If we could see a little bit of ourselves in all things (not only people), discrimination and suffering that we put on ourselves would give way to compassion and love.

If you take anything from this, let it be a reminder to see ourselves in others. Always try to remember the Golden Rule of treating others how we would like to be treated – not just when it is convenient to us.

Be Yourself

Here I’ll share a little bit of a personal story.

Halloween is around the corner and because irony is one of my more favored humors, I wanted to leave everyone a positive reminder; wearing masks is fun, but being yourself is best.

But as I am writing this, I came across an interesting tidbit. October 29th is international internet day. I find this fitting because the internet is a symbol of communication and expression. The internet up many new channels of communication and expression. It gives us the ability to wear infinite masks. It also shows us how interconnected everything really is. We can open up portals to speak with and see friends and family from across the planet. Or we can communicate anonymously with millions of people. We can access information stored from incredible distances and carry it in our pockets. So I guess the other message for this post is let’s remember not to take the internet for granted and most of what we see online is a mask.

Some people worry about being judged by others, some people judge themselves too much. I fall into the latter category. As a child it bothered me that I would not be accepted into schools because of my hair – and when I did, I would be teased and get into fights with other children. It took a while for it to even occur to me to change myself for acceptance (which I tried and felt miserable).

You have to accept yourself before others can.

I’m more of the person to always ask “why?”. I accepted being different and stopped caring what other people think. Instead, I cared more about what I think, and set high standards upon myself. There’s nothing wrong with this but it’s important to remember not to judge yourself too harshly. Above all else, you have to accept yourself before others can.

We may want to be accepted into a certain circle, or simply appear a certain way to others. There are many reasons for wanting to wear a mask. Some believe that we are always wearing a mask. Regardless, we know what comes naturally and comfortably for us. This would be our “default mask” and nothing is better than this one. If it is a mask, it is one that does not create stress for us when we wear it, rather we find joy in being and expressing ourselves. Be yourself. Love yourself.

So yes, of course that means you can still be yourself AND dress up for Halloween.

Blessings,
Jahmaal