I’ve been reading a lot of Anais Nin lately, in particular her Early Diaries Vol 3. She fascinates me. I find genius her ability to share her ideas, observations and emotions with her words.
There was a particular passage that I happened upon recently that made so much sense, and I believe in it lies the crux of the answer to all that ails us — from a global perspective right down to our relationships with partners, families and friends.
“How strange our marriage, where union is based on likeness and accord. We begin with similar roots; we both feel deeply, and think continuously; we have moods and dreams and visions — and then the similarity ceases, for the result of these, the effects outwardly, the actions and manner of living, are strikingly different. Thus we begin by understanding each other. We meet in a feeling or thought. In acting, we branch out, each in his own way, but we do not lose each other. We criticize and explain each other, we reason, we seek to influence each other — we understand even when we do not approve.” Anais Nin
We have all been at each other’s throats for so long, trying to prove we’re right, and trying to make sure we’re heard, that we rarely take the time to do the same for the other side of the dissenting opinion. Our defense mechanism has a well oiled trigger finger, and its only served to create further division and polarized opinions.
When making an attempt to truly understand those we are in conflict with can change everything and is a sign of true respect. There is an ancient Arapaho proverb that states the concept in its simplicity - ”When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect to us.”
We do not live in a world made of clones, but rather we are a diverse, culturally rich and diverse planet with much to learn from each other if only we’d open our hearts and minds more, and our mouths less often. The same concept can be held true for our most intimate relationships. Would you really want to raise of family of clones, or grow old with a clone of yourself?
To achieve peace, on any level, mutual understanding and respect are essential.
There was a particular passage that I happened upon recently that made so much sense, and I believe in it lies the crux of the answer to all that ails us — from a global perspective right down to our relationships with partners, families and friends.
“How strange our marriage, where union is based on likeness and accord. We begin with similar roots; we both feel deeply, and think continuously; we have moods and dreams and visions — and then the similarity ceases, for the result of these, the effects outwardly, the actions and manner of living, are strikingly different. Thus we begin by understanding each other. We meet in a feeling or thought. In acting, we branch out, each in his own way, but we do not lose each other. We criticize and explain each other, we reason, we seek to influence each other — we understand even when we do not approve.” Anais Nin
We have all been at each other’s throats for so long, trying to prove we’re right, and trying to make sure we’re heard, that we rarely take the time to do the same for the other side of the dissenting opinion. Our defense mechanism has a well oiled trigger finger, and its only served to create further division and polarized opinions.
When making an attempt to truly understand those we are in conflict with can change everything and is a sign of true respect. There is an ancient Arapaho proverb that states the concept in its simplicity - ”When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect to us.”
We do not live in a world made of clones, but rather we are a diverse, culturally rich and diverse planet with much to learn from each other if only we’d open our hearts and minds more, and our mouths less often. The same concept can be held true for our most intimate relationships. Would you really want to raise of family of clones, or grow old with a clone of yourself?
To achieve peace, on any level, mutual understanding and respect are essential.