The Grey Areas
© 2014 GypsyJaguar
When we journey along a path of self-improvement, personal balance, and/or spiritual enlightenment, we come across many differing opinions on how to achieve our goals. The books, blogs, websites, and advice we absorb from others who are traveling a similar path are their own personal preferences of techniques, beliefs, attitudes, and styles of living that they have found works best for them. Everyone has their own path, and although you may find a connection with some other's beliefs or styles, it is always important to carve out your own individual path that is specialized just for you. Take with you what concepts feel true to you, but keep an open mind to those truths being challenged, altered, or changed along the way.
As you mature and evolve in your thinking and experiences, you will learn that nothing is "set in stone." There are always exceptions to the rules. You may also realize that just because something has worked for you, it doesn't mean it is the only way to do it, that it will work for somebody else, or even for you at another time in your life.
There may be some very poignant and unique techniques or beliefs that end up becoming accepted and utilized by many individuals, becoming popular or even typical. But, one of the problems with becoming mainstream is the loss of integrity. When embraced by a large number of individuals, an idea can end up changing into a common misinterpretation of the original concept.
Each person's psyche will interpret his or her own meaning into what any idea can represent. When a simplified description of a belief is presented, it is left out of context to allow it to apply to many differing circumstances. While this can often be helpful, as it allows others to find their own meaning, it unfortunately leaves open a window for the concept to be applied too generally.
Take, for instance, the belief in the power of positive thinking. This is a spiritual truth that has become so popular and widely accepted, that it has become a building block for seeking happiness and enlightenment. The concept itself is brilliant, but the problem is that the application is often taken to an extreme. Instead of keeping a balance, many people focus solely on the positive side and push anything away that resembles a negative emotion, state of mind, or belief, thinking it is unhealthy and harmful. After regular practice, this may result in blockages and repressions of our true feelings. We can't just push things aside and ignore them when we have a problem. We need to explore and express our feelings about them, so we can work through the issues connected with them.
Without challenges, negative experiences, conflict, and occasional chaos, we would not learn, evolve, or better ourselves. We need to keep the balance. It's what keeps us human. It's what teaches us compassion, tolerance, and acceptance. It's okay to get angry once in a while. It's okay to have negative thoughts now and then. It's okay to make mistakes, misjudge, or misunderstand, as well. We're only human.
In order to find your own balance along your path, you need to come to the understanding that everything is not necessarily black or white, wrong or right, negative or positive, dark or light. There are a lot of grey areas. Within the darkness, there is always a glimmer of light. And, to be truly of the light, one must journey through and understand the depths of darkness. We can not have one without the other.
Also see:
Learning Center - Social Savvy - The People Around Us and What They Can Teach Us - A Bit of Advice - How To Truly Help Others - Emotional Healing - Dealing With Issues - Acceptance - True Strength - Rediscovering Yourself - The Feel-Good Exercise Everyone Should Do - Spiritual Balance - Grounding & Centering - Cleansing - Live Love and Learn - The Grey Areas - Seek Truth - Magic
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