Existential Masochism
When something of a spiritual nature resonates with a person, something that requires faith, many take that belief and fortify it through protection. They build walls around it, seek affirmation and confirmation, and forcefully push away any question, concern or critique, either with laughter or anger. They see their belief or faith as something that needs vigilant defense, as if the mere suggestion of something contrary may blow their fire clean out.
For good or bad, for better or worse I do not work this way. I seek spiritual affliction. My philosophy has become that if my faith can't hold up against the whirlwinds of questioning then it isn't good for anything. I agree with F. Scott Fitzgerald when he said, "The test of first-rate intelligence is marked in the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still function."
There is value in empathically seeing another's perspective, in setting you're paradigm aside for a time and giving another's meaning a real chance at significance, particularly if they don't see things as plainly as you. Maybe especially if they don't see things as plainly as you do.
I believe we were sent here to be challenged and to live up to the challenge, not hide away in our own set ways. It does no good to anyone --especially you-- if you don't question yourself. You don't have to give up your beliefs, faith, or sense of self to try on another's visionary glasses for awhile.
If there is any time that one should question themselves it is when he or she quickly shrugs off another's view as stupid, ignorant or wrong.
I know what it is to feel dismissed by those who should consider me. I know how empty and lonely that can feel. Before you dismiss someone for having an opinion contrary to your safety zone, acknowledge for a moment your own fallibility and not just his or her's.
with love,
NS
For good or bad, for better or worse I do not work this way. I seek spiritual affliction. My philosophy has become that if my faith can't hold up against the whirlwinds of questioning then it isn't good for anything. I agree with F. Scott Fitzgerald when he said, "The test of first-rate intelligence is marked in the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still function."
There is value in empathically seeing another's perspective, in setting you're paradigm aside for a time and giving another's meaning a real chance at significance, particularly if they don't see things as plainly as you. Maybe especially if they don't see things as plainly as you do.
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| "The test of first-rate intelligence is marked in the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still function."-F. Scott Fitzgerald |
I believe we were sent here to be challenged and to live up to the challenge, not hide away in our own set ways. It does no good to anyone --especially you-- if you don't question yourself. You don't have to give up your beliefs, faith, or sense of self to try on another's visionary glasses for awhile.
If there is any time that one should question themselves it is when he or she quickly shrugs off another's view as stupid, ignorant or wrong.
I know what it is to feel dismissed by those who should consider me. I know how empty and lonely that can feel. Before you dismiss someone for having an opinion contrary to your safety zone, acknowledge for a moment your own fallibility and not just his or her's.
with love,
NS
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