【ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟᴠᴇꜱ】
We help create a peaceful world when our own minds are peaceful. We help create a generous world when our own impulses are generous. We help create a happier world when we recognise our power to treat other people well and kindly.
The more clearly we can see our own inner conflicts, contradictions and inconsistencies, the less harm we will cause by projecting them onto other people.
The more clearly we can see our strengths and aptitudes, the more delight we will have in living - and the more positively we will influence and affect other people.
Self-awareness gives our own lives stability. It also allows us to give the best of ourselves to other people.
【ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴇɴᴛʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴜɴɪᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ】
There's real irony in the fact that many of us who are highly skilled at self-blame and self-criticism, and perhaps think rather too little of ourselves, are nevertheless easily seduced by the belief that if something goes wrong we must have caused it or it is 'about' us.
Your friend is late for lunch. 'She doesn't care about me?' Or did her bus fail to arrive?
Your boss criticises your work harshly. 'I can't do anything right?' Or is he projecting his own bad temper?
Your lover is quiet and withdrawn. 'He thinks I'm boring.' Maybe he has a lot on his mind; none of it about you.
Simply reminding yourself that 'Not everything is "about" me' can be powertully soothing. It is also true.
You control your response, not events.
Memento mori - you will die
Everything changes, cling to nothing
Do the work of a human
Master your own mind
People will be difficult