Really, if you aren’t feeling a little frustrated or concerned you haven’t been paying attention in the world.
Did you know that people are consuming mainstream media less? People feel overwhelmed and powerless in the face of climate change, denying rights to women and the various issues that we currently face. If you were completely happy with how things are going, you are probably rich and disconnected from reality.
Why am I saying this? Being honest with reality is the only way we can deal with it. We have to find solutions to our issues, and that means that we need to look at facts. It is never easy to admit that we are wrong, but solving issues is ultimately the only way we are going to survive this.
If we want to help make the world a better place we need to be both honest and empathic with others and ourselves. Starting with ourself is always the most effective thing we can do. When other people tell us something we don’t want to hear, instead of arguing or denying it simply say “Thank you for the feedback. I will consider it.” Then consider it. Try to imagine if it could be true. Not all feedback is valid, helpful, useful or true. Then act on the feedback if necessary.
I have been given feedback many times which I disagreed with. I did consider it however and I tried to imagine how it could be true. We don’t like to admit it to ourselves but we have a blind spot that is larger than we realize. Humbleness is in short supply with most people. Most people would rather die than admit that they are wrong. How painful and difficult life must be when every decision has to be defended. We are a mass of contradictions, half-truths, and well-meaning advice. If we learn later that a belief isn’t helping us or others, then it is our job to make peace with it and stop believing in it.
Life is many things, but our resistance to change makes it more difficult.