Wisdom Week Wrap-Up July 21
Quotes that are food for thought
So many great quotes come out of my conversations with my guests! This is a weekly piece with some words that might just get you thinking.
“We’re not alone in our experiences. Even when we feel like we are, there’s always someone else who’s experiencing what we’re experiencing.” -Lisa Sugarman and on YouTube
Thinking we’re alone is a common human tendency. But going into my fourth year of podcasting, I can guarantee that it is not so. Our individual life paths each have their unique challenges. You may lose a job, get a divorce or lose someone you love.
But the emotion of the experience is something we all have in common. Loss, shame, fear, anger, grief. Everyone experiences the same emotions. The specific circumstances are just different.
What we’re all looking for is a bit of empathy. Not sympathy; empathy. Empathy might be expressed in silence; in a hug; or just by keeping someone company. Emotions are energetic, and our very presence can speak volumes.
Next you see someone in need, consider this bond that exists between all of us. Reach out. Tell a story. Share your bump. That simple connection means more than you’ll ever know. For all of us, get out of your own story and look into someone else’s, with empathy and kindness.
“The entire world is made of oneness. The way we experience reality is dualistic in nature.” from the Duality episode. And on YouTube.
How do we move from duality and apparent isolation to greater connection? Is it part “simple” awareness?
Step back and remember that we learn through duality. Identify what you’re experiencing. Identify the opposite. Where does hot become cold; light become dark? Wherein that spectrum do things become one?
A friend once gave me an invaluable piece of advice. “Never make a decision if you can see only two options,” she said. “You’re seeing the world in black and white.” And the reality is that the world is gray and there are many, many options. Always. This is advice I’ve taken to heart over the years. Give it a go.
“I helped one person in a way that really mattered and I’m proud of that.”-Navy Pilot Jim Tritten
Connection (something too often lacking in our world) comes down to the individual. How might your experiences help someone else?
Jim Tritten’s PTSD totally derailed his successful career. Now, as a writer, he’s been able to channel his experiences, both real and fictionalized, into stories that resonate with authenticity and emotion. His journey into writing is not just a coping mechanism but a form of therapy that has allowed him to reinvent himself and help others along the way.
How do you share your stories to help others?