The world isn’t black and white.
I’ve been told, on multiple occasions, by many people, that I’m an all or nothing kind of person.
I won’t read one book, I’ll want to read 100. I was introduced to GIN. And it became an obsession.
Safe to say I’ve killed a few songs in my time.
Feel Good Inc. Hooked On a Feeling. My Step… RIP. (that list is far from complete)
I like to live my life in black and white. I want to know the answer to everything. I want everything to be linear, for the outcome and the path to be clear. But, the universe doesn’t work that way. I’ve had to learn to accept that, to enjoy it, to take solace and have fun with the chaos.
The truth of the matter is that I’m still learning, still reminding myself daily to embrace the grey (every single shade) and allow myself to spend more time in observation and contemplation than I spend sprinting towards that one thing i’m obsessing over.
I’ve begun to realise the importance of being able to hold two contradictory beliefs at the same time. This is called cognitive dissonance. However I don’t feel as though a feeling of stress or discomfort needs to be partnered with both of these beliefs. What I’m trying to say is that none of us know what the fuck is going on (mostly) and if we are not asking ourselves ‘how might I be wrong about this’ then we are missing the point.
We all get that feeling on the back of our neck when we are told we are wrong, or realise that we have fucked up, when our beliefs are challenged. Thats normal. However, when they we feel like this, we need to take a breath, and look at things from the other side of the coin and assess objectively (to the edge of our current ability to perceive)
We get stuck on a side too often.
Left vs Right
Apple vs Android
Vegan vs Omnivore
Black vs White
Parma vs Parmy
Flat vs Round Earth*
*lol
We all have our preferences, our beliefs, we all love taking sides and belonging to a group. We all love having an identity.
Don’t let that identity be so steadfast that nothing will change your mind.
Don’t be neutral either. Have your opinions and beliefs, but have the humility to stop and look at other points of view, and put your ego on the hook long enough to be able to change your point of view if presented with necessary evidence.
The us vs them mentality is bullshit and it is creating a world that is so hung up on our differences that we forget that we are all in fact human, and that we all have our own story and that if you look hard enough you can find similarities with anyone. Hating each other because they use a different phone or originate from a different part of the world isn’t the way to go. As far as I’m concerned, there is no one you can’t learn to love once they’ve taken you to the depths of their story.
My points, enjoy the grey areas of life, look at things objectively, it’s ok to change your mind and shift your direction, learn more about others and embrace the weird differences we all have.
If we can be at peace with two conflicting beliefs, we can be at peace with anyone and most of all be at peace with ourselves.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Be wonderful. Be in the grey.
Wallace