Where's the Cheese?

As humans, we can easily find ourselves blaming others for creating upset in our lives.  We look at our family members, co-workers, and even complete strangers as the cause of our suffering.  When we believe we have been wronged, our capacity for feeling offended, hurt, violated, and disrespected is seemingly endless. Our feelings may indeed be justified, and by all means we are entitled to feel them, however, there is no cheese at the end of the maze. 

There is no cheese because in the process of pointing the finger, we give away our power to shift a situation.  If we could unclench our jaws, fists, and hearts for even a few moments, maybe we could move beyond the maze of thoughts that keep us in victimhood...stuck in the conversation that we have been wronged.  Maybe we could begin to see that what we detest in others is what we ultimately detest in ourselves.  We can open our hearts to our perceived enemy and know that whether we want to admit it, or believe it, or like it, we are all doing the best we can.  From this place of understanding, suddenly a small opening appears, and there it is...the cheese that we have been looking for.  

Take a moment to digest this quote by Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh.  He offers a brilliant alternative to finger pointing and inspires me to think a larger thought when I find myself blaming.

When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look into the reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have problems with our friends or our family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and arguments. That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding. If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change. - 

Thích Nhat Hanh

Today, choose one person that will be on the receiving end of your ability and willingness to understand.  This may be a gift that you offer to yourself first and then extend to someone you love, or a stranger who cuts you off in traffic.  Observe what your body feels like when you are blaming vs. understanding.  Larger thoughts bring physical ease and expansion.  Allow your body lead you through the maze.  It always knows how to get to the cheese.

Peace to you,
Dawn