Becoming Human

A Perfect Blend

Robert Brown

"So there was no going back:

she had to fight for survival

among the mysteries of life.

And what human beings want

more than anything else is to

become human beings."

Clarice Lispector

AN APPRENTICESHIP

We all experience a time in life when we behave poorly and then wish we could go back and be just a little more tactful or kind.  Maybe we regret not speaking our whole truth and feel as though we have dishonored our self by abstaining from using our voice.  There are many scenarios etched in our memories that cause us to cringe at our less than human response.

These events, however, help to shape us into doing better, to be more human, to be just a little bit more true to ourselves.  They are lessons teaching us how to be careful with our thoughts, words, and deeds.  It is how we learn. 

The sad thing is many of the times we have misspoken, it really had nothing to do with the exact individual in front of us.  The person in front of us just happened to catch the heat, the fire that had been smoldering all day.  When the smoke, the fumes, and the pain could no longer be contained, it erupted on an innocent bystander.  Bewildered, they stare at us wondering what they had done wrong.  They shrink from our wrath and excuse themselves in hopes of healing the tinges from the fire.

We learn to think before we speak.  We choose our words more carefully.  We act authentically to the situation rather than reacting from unknown or unseen triggers.  It is all about paying attention and staying in the moment.  The lessons are grooming us to become better human beings.