I’ve been on this earth almost 63 years. Looking back, one constant is there;
Learning! I’ve learned from both success
and failure. I’ve also learned about
balance. What I mean is balance between
the extremes of issues. Extremes on
issues rarely add value toward solutions.
As human beings, we all tend to polarize to extremes. It is because of the way our brains work.
Labels have a great deal to do with this polarization and
the way we face issues that confront us.
Liberal/conservative, right/left, right/wrong; all examples of this
tendency. We tend to immediately think
toward quick fixes. And we don’t always add
value toward solutions when our thinking is polarized.
What’s important to consider is that most people’s
thinking lies somewhere between the polar extremes. They may be liberal on some issues and
conservative on others, and classifying them either way doesn’t add value to
the issues.
So how do we conquer our tendency toward polarized
thinking? Through mindfulness. By pausing, noticing our breathing, and
centering our thoughts, our brains can rest momentarily and re-set. It is also helpful to remember that our
emotions are temporary. There is a part
of our being that can see those emotions like a passenger in a train station watching
the trains come and go. Doing so brings
clarity, and tapping into that place of being is where mindfulness helps us
balance.
Through mindfulness, we can find a place of equanimity
with issues that confront us. Mindfulness
is something we can never master but can always improve on. It taps into the roots of our humanity. It brings clarity and calm to our thoughts. It takes practice!
I found a great app for my smart phone that helps. It is called Insight Timer and has messages
and guided meditations from various teachers to help with mindfulness. Check it out!
