Exhausting Possibilities

When faced with situations the first impulse is to deal with them with what we know best. What we have done successfully in the past, what we feel comfortable doing, what we know doing. We see things from a specific perspective and the possibilities that we become aware of are a result of this perspective.

So, when we think we have exhausted all possibilities, we must remember this: we have exhausted all possibilities that are within our awareness. 

There are still unexplored possibilities and options.

And if indeed there is absolutely nothing that can be done, then maybe it’s time to consider if the situation is actually one that we can control. Then, another possibility appears: to accept what is, for we have no control over it. We can only adapt, adjust, or leave.

When you (think) you have exhausted all possibilities, remember: there is one more answer that hasn’t been thought of yet. 

Do Good Things Hurt?

While reading an article on the biggest misconceptions about life, an old reply of mine, on Quora, came to mind. The question was:

"Why do good things hurt?" 

Good things never hurt. That is an oxymoron. 

If we are hurt by something good, then we should reconsider the source of our hurt/ pain.

Take love, for example. People say that 'love hurts'. Which is totally misleading. True love never hurts. True love liberates our soul and our spirit.

What can hurt may be the unmet expectations, for example. But then, it will not be love that will have hurt us, but our own preconceived ideas of what the other should be/do.

Another example is that 'truth hurts'. Again, truth brings awareness. And in what way can awareness hurt? It can only support insights and growth.

What can hurt is the disappointment that the idea or beliefs we had are proven false. The revelation that the reality we had built is not actually real. So, it is actually a false belief that is hurting, not the truth, which can only set us free (once we decide to see it this way).

Bottom line is that if something good hurts, then something is not good there and it usually isn't the "thing".

Rumors: Don't Be an Idiot!

Rumor: noun. A currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth. (Oxford Dictionaries) 

“Rumors are nearly as old as human history, but with the rise of the Internet, they have become ubiquitous. In fact we are now awash in them. False rumors are especially troublesome; they impose real damage on individuals and institutions, and they often resist correction. They can threaten careers, policies, public officials, and sometimes even democracy itself.” (Cass R. Sunstein)

They can be harmful and destructive.

Next time you hear a rumor ask yourself what are the facts and distinguish rumor from reality.

“People should get their information from the source with facts before sharing it. Rumors can be lots of different opinions, based on what other people think. This is where lies begin to build and develop into things that are harmful to others.” (Ellen J. Barrier)

Remember:

“Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.” (Ziad K. Abdelnour)

 Most often

“Rumors are mostly a projection of the individual who started them.” (Roya R. Rad)

Separate yourself from such an individual and before spreading rumors, keep in mind that

“A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on.” (Terry Pratchett)

Whether they are personal or professional, rumors can cause misfortunes; they can easily destroy reputations, careers and relationships.

“Serious misfortunes, originating in misrepresentation, frequently flow and spread before they can be dissipated by truth.” (George Washington) 

Do you want to be responsible for such misfortunes? For one is equally accountable for spreading rumors, not only when generating them.

“A rumor is a social cancer: it is difficult to contain and it rots the brains of the masses. However, the real danger is that so many people find rumors enjoyable. That part causes the infection. And in such cases when a rumor is only partially made of truth, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where the information may have gone wrong. It is passed on and on until some brave soul questions its validity; that brave soul refuses to bite the apple and let the apple eat him. Forced to start from scratch for the sake of purity and truth, that brave soul, figuratively speaking, fully amputates the information in order to protect his personal judgment. In other words, his ignorance is to be valued more than the lie believed to be true.”  (Chriss Jami)

Be a brave soul.

Be the Hero

Yesterday, my social media timelines were filled with similar Greek posts applauding the Greek delegation's brave gesture at the Sochi Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Observing the photos and knowing a little about sport politics, I remained skeptical. I thought that gesture that would make us proud was unlikely.

This morning, my scepticism was confirmed: the so-called gesture was nothing like what my friends  have wished for; it was just a coincidence.

Two things were very evident here: 

1. We desperately need something to raise our morale again. We need role models that stand up against unfairness and injustice.

2. We see only what we choose to see and we select the relevant perspective. If we want to see rainbows, rainbows there are. Just like when we look for the answers we want to hear.

Another thing that is also very evident it that, no matter how strong our desire to see what we desire to see, no matter what interpretation we give to the facts, the truth can only be one, even if it hurts us.

A friend, who was among those cheering yesterday, upon finding out the truth today she put it aptly: “it is in our heart to believe in the miracle. And that is why we believed. And for a moment we were what we had believed we were : all inclusive”. 

Finally, what is evident is that we are still waiting for someone else to be our hero, to do what is right. Time to realize that each one of us is fully capable to be that hero and do what we know it is right.

As a friend was posting today,

“I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.” (Lily Tomlin) 

We do not need to wait for any athlete, for any hero, to do something. We are the ones that can and should be doing something.