Do you like it when people pigeon-hole you
into category assigned you a label? I sure don’t. Human beings are multi-faceted
creatures. To make situations easier for ourselves we frequently place each
other into convenient categories. All too often these labels fall far short of
describing who we are as individuals.
Psychologist Dr. Dan Gottlieb reported
working with a young woman who told him: “I feel like my soul is a prism, but everybody
just sees one color. Nobody sees the prism.”
What would it be like if we could actually
see the prism of the soul of other people around us? How would our lives be
different if we allowed those we love to see all spectrums of who we are?
Think about meeting someone for the first
time. Do we ask what their hopes and dreams are for the future? Do we inquire
about their deepest fears or greatest joys? No. Usually we want to know if they
are married or single; gay or straight; what political party they support; where
they went to school; what they do for a living; what kind of car they drive; and,
what socioeconomic status they have achieved.
Then, armed with the information, we use a mental
check list to arrive at our decision about how to label the person. Judgment,
prejudice, slant and bias are often attached to labels. We see only one color,
not the full spectrum of visible light or the thousands of shades and tints of
their brilliance.
The prism of our soul is all the colors or nuances
of our personality that make up who we are. Add to that all the bands of light
invisible to the naked eye, both above and below our spectrum of recognition.
These unseen energies represent the subconscious or subjective aspects of our
personalities; some perhaps not even known to us let alone anyone else.
Be willing to take a step or two back this
week from your preconceived ideas about the people in your life. What positive
qualities do they possess that you may have overlooked? Then, open up to others
fully and confidently in being all you can be by showing a willingness to share
your hidden colors with them as well.
In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,
Terry
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