As an unpublished writer, I have to take work whenever I can get it to
help supplement my income. So, it was an
easy decision when I was asked to participate in a five-day trade show. There was only one issue. I would be working and living along side some
mean-spirited people—and that didn’t suit my Spiritual Self one bit.
While I was never the butt of anyone’s jokes, one person in the group
who was a kind and simple man was the recipient of much of the ill-will coming from
the others. With each foul word and
thought that was projected his way, my heart sank a little further. It didn’t matter that the words were not
directed to me personally, I felt them just the same. So, I took it upon myself to go out of my way
to be kind and generous with my words
to this particular man so that the others could at least witness some compassion for
themselves.
Furthermore, I wanted to spend as little time with the bullies as
possible and each night when it came time for our evening meal, if those people were going to be there, I was
going to stay in. Interestingly enough
on the last night the Universe had other plans for me. Three of us had the intention of going out
alone, away from the fire of brutality.
However, as we arrived at the valet parking we noticed that the car
directly in front of us was filled with the people I was trying to avoid. There was no stopping it now. We would have to spend time at the dinner
table with them. I rolled my eyes
towards the heavens asking in my mind what on Earth the Universe wanted me to
learn from all this. I was clearly being
directed to eat with them, but that didn’t suit my egoic self one bit.
As we sat together in the restaurant, one unkind remark after another
continued to be spewed out towards anyone that didn’t fit in these people’s proverbial
box of normal. At one point, I decided I
had to get up from the table. I wasn’t
sure where I was going to go, but I needed a break. The flambé bar seemed to be the perfect place
for me and I meandered my way through the room until I reached it. Gazing upon the pastry chef’s techniques as
she prepared succulent fruit and brandy deserts, I looked forward to sampling
my first taste.
She whipped up my order to perfection and I mustered up the strength to
return to my table. The succulent
berries mixed with the juice from the fruit, brandy and a bit of brown sugar
was a slice of the Divine and I was happy.
Unfortunately, not long after I endeavored to eat in peace, more words from the group came flailing
out. I couldn't take it anymore and this time I took it upon myself to figure out why I had to be there. I looked up from my bowl and gazed at the
others sitting across from me. I asked
the Universe to tell me what was going on—and that’s when I received my
answer. These men, so filled with
judgment towards others were driving me crazy, but I too was filled with my own
bit of judgment. I had spent several
days in judgment of them. They were a
mirror for me!
Changing my thought process I sent Compassion, Love and Light towards
the people they were being mean to. I
sent Compassion, Love and Light towards the mean-spirited individuals at my
table who were teaching me a bit about myself—and finally I sent Compassion,
Love and Light towards myself for my participation in this game of life.
The point I am trying to make is that when we criticize others, what we
are really doing is criticizing ourselves.
Everyone and everything in our perceptual realities is simply a mirror
for who we are in each moment. When we
are feeling uncomfortable, look within to find out the reason behind our discomfort. Remember, the common denominator in all our
life’s events is us. We are always
there and we are always the reason for everything that we are attracting. Instead of placing blame, look within and send
everyone involved your Compassion, Love and Light. We all deserve it.
Thank you for reading and Namaste! (The Light in me recognizes the Light in
you!)