Originally Posted by valinors_sorrow
It does suck that there is no dress rehearsal in life but at least its fair in that this is true for everyone. I can still remember the day I finally acknowledge (to myself) that I am powerless over others -- it changed instantly a lot of how I operated. And even more enlightening (again, for me) was how later on I realised just how powerless everyone else was over me BWAAH HA HA HA (LOL) and that changed me some more. We are for the most part powerless over each other - the best, if we even get this, is to influence only. That is something to consider and again its arranged fairly too, how nice! You MIGHT influence me, and I MIGHT influence you. But in my case it took professional help for me to get that I am not powerless over myself, nor is anyone else unless they choose to be. That was really a life altering awareness.
The best we can do is wake up, and live a life with eyes open, minds alert and hearts as loving as possible-- to ourselves first and foremost and then to each other. Lose the pollyanna mindset of childhood and see the world and its inhabitants as they are -- both good and bad. It is your job to take care of you -- that is your mandate as an adult. No priviledges for us without the corresponding responsibilites. The only real victims on my list are kids, animals and the infirmed-- they do not have the same resources as we do, on many levels.
So, when you see someone who looks like bad news, just quietly duck across the street. Don't be so quick to believe people. Some of us are very decieved and decieving both. But don't take on being jaded either, for that is just as bad. Instead cultivate (along with this realistic discernment about the world) a positive overall outlook because the best is yet to come. Notice the word "overall" and don't put the burden of your happiness on any one person -- its too big of a load for any mortal. And the good stuff that does arrive, be mindful that may not take the size, color, or form you imagined but it does indeed get better and better in the long run -- at least so far it has with me. That is the truth as clearly as I can put it.