Application of Knowledge and Level of Maturity

"We don't mature through age, we mature in awareness."

Byron Katie

All of us have a keyring with each key having the ability to open doors to explore.  Unlocking doorways is pivotal to learning. These keys also offer the benefit of locking things away for privacy. In either circumstance, we must be aware of what we absorb and how we can best use it. The application of awareness matures us.

Doctors do not heal us ... application of their knowledge does. Trainers do not make us fit ... it is our chosen efforts to use their knowledge. Gurus do not make us calm ... it is choosing to use information they teach. Maturity is the ability to apply what we learn, not just contain it. 

The ability to maintain our awareness as well as apply it, paves a way to more peaceful and responsible living. We can choose which door is to be opened leading to new pathways or relock a door reducing distractions. Where we place our focus is where we become advanced contributing to our level of maturity. 

Random Parts Coming Together

"Everything is happening for us, not to us."

Byron Katie

Step out of the role of victim and hold the self accountable for whatever part you played. Knowing that the only person you can change is the self, efforts need to focus on how you can adjust thoughts, behaviors, or relationships. Even when things are out of your control, there remains a small element that you can choose to adjust.

When you are confronted by difficult or challenging events, you must listen to understand what life is trying to teach you. Observe the entire scenario rather than narrowing it down. See how the random parts can come together. The mantra becomes, "what am I to learn?" If you fail to shift perspectives, challenges will repeated until you finally see the point.

Hold your mind open to determine what pattern is being shown to you. Is this a familiar happening repeated throughout your life? Patterns continue to cycle in and out until you finally catch on. If you don't change, the elements of the event will continue to reoccur. With tender loving care, allow life to show you what you need. 

 

Diversity to the Dull and Plain

 

"When we stop opposing reality, 

action becomes simple, fluid, kind, and fearless."

Byron Katie

Clear vision is only one component to viewing reality.  What we do with reality after it grabs our attention is one more element. We have choices to dress it up with avoidance or dumb it down by ignoring it.  Even when we look at reality head on, we must understand if we are viewing through a tainted perspective or unbiased discernment. 

Then there is accountability.  No matter what the cause, if I hold my self accountable it allows me to feel that I might have power over the situation.  When we take one step back to see what degree of involvement is factual, it is easier to remain aligned reacting from a space of strength. To be a realist, one can be rigid or selective in his or her involvement.  

No one welcomes fear and basically at heart we have the potential to be kind, but some of us engage in applying color and depth to basic reality.  With the stroke of an artist's brush, one can add depth and diversity to the dull and plain.  If we are fluid, however, we undoubtedly float across both scenarios.

Begins Within You

PEACE

Doesn't require two people;

it requires only one.

It has to be you.

Byron Katie

While attending a dinner, two people were arguing over one subject, and neither were willing to back down.  It was clear the emotions had risen above the subject and now it was a battle of wills.  How different this would have been if they both had given room for both opinions.  Respect would have remained in place and compassion would have replaced competition.   A question arises ... How will we ever have World Peace when we cannot keep peace between ourselves and just one other?

If we are filled with anger, we are not very likely to initiate peace out in the world.  If we harbor ill feelings towards our neighbors, families, and friends,  we will not be feeling very serene.  In our need to be right, we develop the habit of being opinionated and close our minds to any idea non-supportive.

The more accepting we are of ourselves, acknowledging our weaker areas, but focusing on our strengths, the more secure we will feel.  The more secure we feel, the more willing we will be to listen to the ideas of others.  When we are aligned with our  body, mind, and spirit, we are able to embrace diversity and release judgment.   This kindles the concept of peace, and it begins within you.