Looking for the "them-est"
Peggy Malone
I received this from a newsletter from Rick Hanson, and am sharing it with all of you, along with my wish for a great New Year. Thanks for the great memories I have of you in 2017. I look forward to more as we work together in the new year.
Peggy
RICK'S REFLECTION: BROTHERS AND SISTERS
When we learn about the troubles of others - perhaps a friend whose marriage is ending, perhaps a young refugee boy whose drowned body has washed up on a beach - the alarm, discomfort, or helplessness often causes a quick sense of "not- me" or "not-us."
When I do this distancing myself, it does numb the empathic pain of compassion or outrage. But the numbing doesn't stop there; it spreads into a general dulling of mood, energy, thought.
When I don't feel the suffering of "them," after awhile I don't feel anything at all.
So, as a matter of pure personal well-being (as well as a matter of morality), see what happens when you deliberately keep your heart wide open to those who are "them" to you.
Walking down the street or on the evening news, look for the "them-est" people you can find. The "them-er" they are, the more your heart will be stretched . . . and remarkably and paradoxically, the more loved you will feel yourself.
Warmly,
Rick
Don and Joyce
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "evolvingfaith" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to evolvingfait...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.