Aloha;
One of the challenges of our existence is that the unexpected is always with us. This reality faces us on a daily basis. Though usually we encounter only small, unforeseen, occurrences. These events may impact us favorably, or not. When these surprise events work in our favor, such as finding a ten-dollar bill laying on the sidewalk, we accept them readily. Often without a second thought about it.
If the unexpected is a flat tire on our vehicle; or a traffic jam which causes the missing of an appointment; or a water pipe that bursts without warning that floods the basement, it will impact our thoughts and actions more negatively. Should the unexpected be of a greater extent, it can alter our plans radically. As well as our grasp of reality.
However, even though we are aware these ‘out-of-the-blue’ situations occur; all to often we are not prepared to handle these events, at the moment they happen. But once they have, it forces us to reset our behavior to recover from any negative results of the situation; often immediately.
This can undermine one’s goals, or frustrate their plans. Most people seek to avoid such unwanted surprises, and find them emotionally distressing. How these challenges are successfully remedied (if, in fact, they are) directly affects how people relate with, and to, the world around them.
When the unexpected is disruptive, it is common for people to look for the underlying cause of their setback; and fault someone else. It can be useful to place the blame on some outside cause, beyond their personal control. Whether they can justify that reason or not.
Unfortunately is easy to take issue with the world around us. And view objects or people, as the source of our misfortunes; whether true or not. Once this happens, mental focus, and energy which should properly be directed toward overcoming the setback; gets channeled toward the perceived source of the offending problem instead.
These determinations of blame are often arrived at within a person’s thoughts. This may, or may not have any support; external to their mind. Yet when people decide others in their society are the reason for their troubles; there is a natural impulse to respond negatively to that source.
If their determination of the origin of these problems is in error, they run the risk of generating new troubles. By taking actions which do not address the true cause of their setbacks. But do inflame other members of the society instead. This weakens a communities cohesiveness. It also breeds mistrust, and suspicion; which does not help anyone.
As well as we understand our own thoughts, and world view; it is important to remember that others often have no clue what we are thinking. They are so involved with what they are thinking, there is little space left for fully incorporating another person’s world view. We often track the goals and intentions, of other people. Usually for a singular purpose: to track and calculate their actions, or behavior.
As we try to understand how they will impact our goals, and plans. But acknowledging that others have motivations, and plans, which differ from ours is not a weakness. It may help you better assess whether any unexpected situations which come your way are a matter of random circumstance, or the focused intent of others.
Respectfully Yours,
J. A. Stubbs, Editor-In-Chief
Forgotten Lore Publishing, llc