What’s in it for me?
Let’s face it, we may not want to admit it, but when presented with an idea, a request or whatever it may be our internal mind meter is considering whether conscious or unconsciously how it will benefit us.
If there isn’t any benefit the enthusiasm to engage is limited. Even when for ourselves..!
So with that being established, it means that to create a peaceful harmonious world there must be a greater degree of consideration well for others!!
Not just ourselves.
Without doing this we are fooling ourselves into believing that we can just wish peace into the world.
Here is the part that may surprise.
You can make a contribution to creating harmonious relationships in the world.
It starts with each of us!
Yes I know hard to believe, our social responsibility is not left up to others but each of us to do our part.
If we keep waiting for someone else to do it, then it may never happen!
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How can we challenge ourselves to think of others in our world.
Let’s face it, we have enough of our own concerns to address so pausing to consider others goes counter to our individualistic society.
It may take time, resources and even finances to do so, the alternative though is war, crime and poverty to just name a few of the social ills.
So some simple things we can do..
Consider the impact of your decision on others — For example, if you want to construct something, would it hamper the flow of water out the area, how then can you construct in such a way to not cause flooding or exacerbate the flooding in the area.
Offer help even when inconvenient to you — There are some needs that just presents itself before you — I know you understand what I am referring to.
It usually comes at an inconvenient time — about to spend time with the family, go to gym or work on that presentation.
It is undeniable that your friend, neighbor, colleague is in distress.
Taking the time to listen makes a difference and helps in supporting with whatever they are experiencing.
Practice empathetic understanding — It’s not easy as we live in a non-stop paced world. Pausing for consideration of others takes — time.
When you understand others by placing yourself in “their shoes’, it may lead to you in some instances making decisions that will not hurt others.
Learning to listen -We have ears, but it doesn’t mean we listen.
Many times we are so set with how we want to do something that we launch out ignoring the warnings and advice of so many others who have gone before us.
It is easy to think that our approach is the best one after others have failed.
Yet when we pause to listen, it presents the opportunity to truly hear and consider other opinions beside our own.
Choose peace over a win — When all is said and done, opposing opinions is a part of life. If it be possible choose peace over a win.
Peace creates the opportunity for being responsible, not instinctive or reactive in making decisions that can have adverse consequences.
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Peace can be a reality, it begins with you and me.
It requires a shift in mindset from individuality to collective social consciousness and responsibility.
It is difficult to do, especially when others around us are not demonstrating consideration for anyone but self.
It is necessary though…if we are ever to keep some level of harmonious living and continuation of the earth.
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” — Desmond Tutu
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: Tori Nefores on Unsplash