All that occurs in your life and everyone who comes into your life is a mirror for you to see yourself. Many will baulk at this statement, not liking – or not understanding – its truth, so there is need for further explanation.
Humans like to believe the best about themselves, and it is right that they should. However, all of you are within each of you. By this we mean that within every person there is the capacity – and the ability, if tapped – to experience all human emotions and experiences. You have within you the seed of the wisdom of a Gandhi, the passion of a Quan Yin, the anger and fear of a bin Lauden, the hatred of a Hitler, the knowledge of a Buddha, the love of a Christ. It is your choice which seeds you water. You express the blossoming of the seeds through thought and action. Now that you have an understanding of how all of you are within each of you, let’s address how everyone and every experience is an opportunity for you to see yourself.
Like attracts like. This is a basic principle, but you say, “I am a good person, so why are there so many negative people around me?” Or, you say, “Why are people mean to me when I’m always so nice?” These are legitimate questions. Let’s examine the answer.
Is every thought you have a positive one? Are all your actions kind? Most likely you will answer no to these questions. If you see a news report about a terrorists’ attack, are your thoughts to bless everyone – everyone – even the terrorists? Most likely not. We have made our point.
Instead of moving into a place of love where – without condoning the act – you can love each person, you move into a place of fear. You then again and again watch reports of the violence on your electronics, and you speak over and over of the violence to those around you, thus allowing more and more negativity to build up within you, adding to the negativity, fear, and violence in the world. And at the same time, crying, “But I’m a nice person. Why are people so mean to me?”
You see, to live in the grace of joy, you must look into the mirror the other holds up for you and say, “Thank you for showing me what seeds within me I am watering.” Then you are able to wash away that which does not serve your life and feed that which does. As you cleanse your inner world, your outer world will change.