5 Keys to Understanding Why Your Life (probably) Sucks # 4
We are in constant competition If we take evolution seriously, then the reason why we
lasted this long (individually and as a race) stems from
the fact we have adopted a survivor mentality. Either
consciously or unconsciously we subscribe to the "survival
of the fittest" mentality. That means we see everyone and
everything else as potential competitors. Whether the
competition is about which political or religious system
offers the best lifestyle or who has right of way in
merging traffic, the competitive mind set thrives on
proving my way of doing things is better, or my wants are
more important, than yours. As a result we become driven to prove we are bigger,
stronger, faster, smarter, richer, more important than
everyone else. Even once we achieve that goal, we need to
maintain constant vigilance just in case someone else
sneaks past our guard and proves themselves to be bigger,
stronger etc. This competitive nature happens on all levels,
international, community or individual. It happens between
human beings. It happens between the human race and
nature. The first European settlers in my own country (Australia)
had the policy: 'If it moves, shoot it; if it doesn't move,
chop it down.' Any person who works on the land knows what
it's like to compete with the elements. On a community and international level, our competitive
mindset leads to doubts and suspicions, fear and hatred.
The only possible way that sort of thinking can lead is
into open conflict with the inevitable outcome of
devastated lives. The same can be said of our relationship with the
environment.If we only see ourselves in competition with
it, having to subdue it, then 'it' will suffer and so will
we. The 'shoot it/chop it down' mentality of my forebears
meansthere are vast tracts of land in this fragile country
that are barren, desolate wastelands. The consequences are that we take on an attitude that "it
is better to be safe than to be sorry" That means we stop
trying new things, and develop our lives as a safe fortress
into which we can retreat from the hostile environment
called life. We become suspicious of anything that is different from
us. So people of different ethnic origins from us, people
who
have different beliefs; people who have a different sexual
orientation all challenge us by their very existence poses
pose a very real threat to our own existence. So, how do we deal with the mindset of competition?
Whether it's with nature, or your fellow human beings, the
answer can best be summed up in one word; Co-operation.
I'm talking about a mindset of co-operation as the first
step towards making your life less frustrating and more
enjoyable. Such a mindset begins with the realisation that
everything in your possession at this point in time came
into being only as the result of many people's
contribution. Think about it for a while and you will see
that is true. The upshot of that is I need you to make your
contribution, just as you need me to make my contribution
so that together we might live more complete lives. We all
need each other. That came home to me very strongly one time when the
local garbage collectors went on strike for better
conditions. As a result stinking, rotten garbage piled up
in yards and in the street. It was a mess and made life
very unpleasant for a while. A job as a garbage collector is probably not one that many
people aspire to, but those people provide an invaluable
service, particularly in the throw-away society most of us
live in. But a change of mindset, from competition to co-operation
can only start with one person. You. In fact you are the
only person whose mind you can change. Trying to change
someone else's mind only leads to trouble. You may find
you need some help, but the first step, is to realise it
IS possible and if you choose, you CAN do it. Hey, that's two steps! Because the first step in anything is always the hardest,
you're already a significant way along the path to a better
life. Graham Hunt is the founder of Prentis Carpenter Center, an organisation established to resource an environment where those people who chose to do so could discover and work towards their potential. One way in which Graham is doing that is through his website http://www.higher-self-esteem-site.com/ Drop by anytime.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Inevitable Changes and Changeless Connections
Sometimes change is pleasant. A child is born. A new career begins. A goal is accomplished. At other times, a difficult transition brings tough but necessary growing pains.
10 Survival Strategies to Overcoming Adversity and Being Happy
If one thing is for certain, each of us will experience some form of adversity while we are still breathing on this Earth. Unfortunately, some of us will experience more than our fair share of adversity, either in the workplace or in our personal lives.
10 Easy Ways You Can Feel Happier, Be Healthier and Live Longer Starting NOW!
Let's just say? first thing when you popped out of bed this morning, you woke up and found a little yellow post-it note stuck on the bathroom mirror that could transform your life. You smiled, instantly recognizing this very familiar word.
Are You Hooked On Love?
When you're in love your eyes and your face light up. And so do four tiny portions of your brain. "Falling in love" is a brain condition!
Authentic Happiness
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE - how to build positive emotions for extraordinary and happy life.
A Bad Hairdresser Day
"Hey everybody!" Hairdresser Lady called out. "It's The Happy Guy."
Many Blessings
"Reflect on your present blessings of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." Charles Dickens
Can Existential Therapy Give You a Sense of Wellbeing?
My journey to becoming a therapist began with a desire to develop greater significance in my life and improve the quality of my relationships. Having worked as an organisational psychologist for many years, my work increasingly involved coaching senior managers in the art of managing their organisations. These sessions revealed that, contrary to my expectations, the help they required was related to more personal aspects of their lives
outside of work.
Spiritual and Sexual Healing
Couple issues such as spirituality and sexuality rank higher than financial reasons as the most affected items of a fumbling relationship. When it comes the moment to point out why a couple needs more intimate vigor, two wrongly things are sure to happen: Women are always blamed, and if both recognize that it's a male matter, also women blame themselves. Their consequent silent follows a behavior that will never end the cycle if there is no communication and willingness to solve it.
Follow Your Bliss
Gail was a quiet, shy, young lady. She has been quiet and shy for as long as she could remember. As a child, every time her mother introduced her children to someone, she would always introduce Gail as the shy, quiet child.
No Happiness Without Patience
I'm searching for modern happiness. The old-fashioned kind takes just too long. That happiness requires patience and I don't want to wait. I want upgraded happiness. I want release 4.02, the "new and improved" version.
Are You Getting in the Way?
Getting out of our busy mode and into our heart occasionally, I'm certain that many of us would find at least one moment during our day where we could pause, reflect on a situation, and see something that we can do to make a difference in someone else's life.
Who Controls YOUR Happiness?
Where does happiness fit on a scale of 1 to 10 in your life?
How To Focus On The Positive Qualities Of Your Relationship
The quality of your life has a strong connection with how healthy your relationship with other people is. Do you struggle to make other people see things your way? Well stop trying, because you can't manipulate others. Why? Well, just like you, they are operating from their own map of the world. What you CAN do is develop a habit of paying attention to the positive aspects of your relationship.
Achievement and Happiness the 80/20 Way
If there was ever a principle that was responsible for the most happiness and achievement in the world, it would be the 80/20 Principle.
10 Steps to Happily Ever After
Do you know what all happy and healthy marriages have in common? In every one of them you will find two people committed to making each other happy. You will find a man who cherishes his wife and puts her needs above his own, and you will find a wife who respects and trusts her man. We live in very selfish times. Pop-psychology messages are everywhere in the media encouraging us to love ourselves, do right by ourselves, and generally please ourselves first. If you really want a happy marriage, don't buy into that type of self-centered thinking. Instead, try these 10 time-tested techniques and experience the happiness, peace, and tranquility of a healthy marriage.
Being Happy
How can one be happy? Is it a tough question? To some it may be but not to all of us.
Ways to Bring Play into Your Life
1. roll around in the grass, and don't brush the grass off.
How Can I Tell What Vibes Im Sending Out?
The Law of Attraction exists in your life right now; whether you understand it or not, whether you know it or not, and whether you like it or not.
Happiness - Work Now or Later?
Long-term success and happiness follows hand-in-hand with
strength of character.
|
