It is a fairly startling statement, but it is completely true. Besides death, what in life is 100% without a doubt guaranteed for every single human?
Nothing at all.
So, you hear a statement like that and then what do you think? For me I heard it spoken by one of my close friends after a church service and it struck me deeply. I was once again reminded how important our time on this Earth is right now, but I was also reminded how short our time is here, too.
Though, I must admit that thinking about death makes me feel a bit scared. Now I might be a spiritual person, but even still I don't think I have enough knowledge to really know what to expect after I die. What is even scarier is thinking that I am not doing enough right this second to prepare my way for eternal life.
I did a little bit of Google-ling online and I found out that Thanatology that is the study of death and dying and also Thanataphobia is the fear of death (in case you wanted to get some additional morbid information). For me I don't think that reading about the research that is being done on death and dying will succumb my fears of what will happen to me after I die.
However, I did do some research on those who had near-death experiences and shared their own experiences about what they saw and felt. These stories resonate more with me personally and help me to funnel through my thoughts and fears of death. However, I think you should do your own research and see what you think. I would be interested to hear your thoughts, stories, and perspective on death and dying.
Another friend made the statement that every human is simply a Pilgrim on their journey through this life to the promised land (Heaven).
I really like that thought...
"Heaven is for Real" tells the story of a little boy who had a trip to Heave and back.
http://heavenisforreal.net/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3xItrGOi6Q;autoplay=1
"90 Seconds in Heaven" An extraordinary true story of death, heaven, and a return to life on earth.
http://www.90minutesinheaven.com/
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Perspective = Reality
"A person's perspective is their reality."
Perspective.
Perspective can also be referred to as an outlook, attitude, context, angle, overview, way of looking, frame of reference, or a broad view... I like this last comparison to emphasize what I am discussing. Perspective is your view on someone or something, but only from a distance. Perspective is a broad view of looking at something or someone and what you see or feel from far away won't ever change unless you get closer.
Picture this... you're a young African American woman giving a presentation to a group of workers in upstate New York on diversity in the early 90's. You also have a background in hate groups and extremists. During the presentation two gentleman can't help but stare around you to your butt with a very annoyed look... so during a break you approach them with a kind attitude asking if there was a problem. They respond very stone faced, but polite with, "Well, yeah... We were just wondering where do you hide it?"
You feeling very puzzled exclaim, "Hide what?"
They respond, "You know... your tail. Where do you hide it?"
....... ?
Everyone has a perspective on everything. The above is a true story from an exceptional and extremely moving speaker that I recently heard during a workshop.
My thought after her story was how on earth can avybody in America actually believe that another human being with dark skin would also have a tail like a monkey?! Though it was quite literally what these gentleman above thought... because it was their perspective on dark skinned people. Their perspective was that dark skinned people were decendents of the monkey and therefore had tails.
Well, once I got past my infuriation towards these discussed gentleman I started to learn how everyone has a perspective, which originates from their knowledge, education, and experience surrounding specific topics.
We all have varying perspectives that won't always be the same. Now, the danger lies when we allow ourselves to develop a specific bias towards something or someone without having a lot of education or experience. It is in these instances that we are then prone to develop a bias for entire groups or things based on what little we may or may not know. The even greater risk here is that with each perspective that is then turned into a bias we then move toward having a thought, which then turns into action.
And sometimes our actions will not be good... simply because we have a lack of education, or experience... or perspective.
To stop this cycle from spinning out of control for the worse we need to check our bias' right away and think about what we are thinking. We also need to keep an open mind to people and situations.
Most importantly we should never allow ourselves to stay in our comfort zone. We need to push out of those comfortable situations and into circumstances that we may not be used to because those are the instances that we will learn the most and find the ability to discover greater perspectives.
"A person's perception is their reality."
As you interact with others today ponder this thought. You can not be sure of someone's situation, past experience, or struggle. So be less to judge and try to keep an open mind.
Perspective.
Perspective can also be referred to as an outlook, attitude, context, angle, overview, way of looking, frame of reference, or a broad view... I like this last comparison to emphasize what I am discussing. Perspective is your view on someone or something, but only from a distance. Perspective is a broad view of looking at something or someone and what you see or feel from far away won't ever change unless you get closer.
Picture this... you're a young African American woman giving a presentation to a group of workers in upstate New York on diversity in the early 90's. You also have a background in hate groups and extremists. During the presentation two gentleman can't help but stare around you to your butt with a very annoyed look... so during a break you approach them with a kind attitude asking if there was a problem. They respond very stone faced, but polite with, "Well, yeah... We were just wondering where do you hide it?"
You feeling very puzzled exclaim, "Hide what?"
They respond, "You know... your tail. Where do you hide it?"
....... ?
Everyone has a perspective on everything. The above is a true story from an exceptional and extremely moving speaker that I recently heard during a workshop.
My thought after her story was how on earth can avybody in America actually believe that another human being with dark skin would also have a tail like a monkey?! Though it was quite literally what these gentleman above thought... because it was their perspective on dark skinned people. Their perspective was that dark skinned people were decendents of the monkey and therefore had tails.
Well, once I got past my infuriation towards these discussed gentleman I started to learn how everyone has a perspective, which originates from their knowledge, education, and experience surrounding specific topics.
We all have varying perspectives that won't always be the same. Now, the danger lies when we allow ourselves to develop a specific bias towards something or someone without having a lot of education or experience. It is in these instances that we are then prone to develop a bias for entire groups or things based on what little we may or may not know. The even greater risk here is that with each perspective that is then turned into a bias we then move toward having a thought, which then turns into action.
And sometimes our actions will not be good... simply because we have a lack of education, or experience... or perspective.
Most importantly we should never allow ourselves to stay in our comfort zone. We need to push out of those comfortable situations and into circumstances that we may not be used to because those are the instances that we will learn the most and find the ability to discover greater perspectives.
"A person's perception is their reality."
As you interact with others today ponder this thought. You can not be sure of someone's situation, past experience, or struggle. So be less to judge and try to keep an open mind.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)