I am not here to talk about my recent trip to South Africa, although that was quite a ride to be on. I am here to blurb about the concept of contradiction.
Watching, oh so shamefully, a reality TV program called the Real Housewives of New York(my pink bicycle in times of boredom and procrastination)...I watched an episode where one of the unfortunate women was shown video evidence of her numerous contradictions. For example, she would say she supported PETA and the stopping of torture and cruelty of animals but she said that she loves and wears fur. This was just one of the examples but after watching a few minutes of this she said that it was ok to change who you are and what you believe every other day because...and get this...because...sigh..." why not?"
Then from my bizarre experiences on my trip, it got me thinking about the whole concept of contradiction. We are all a constant reminder of contradiction. When we find ourselves in an uncomfortable or upsetting situation, most of the time we convey the opposite to protect our fragility. Through this process the true source of anxiety is often not dealt with or even acknowledged because we are so busy trying to not let others see what we are really feeling. When did that become the etiquette in social circles? Who is to blame? Do we blame them? I mean, protecting ourselves from harm is a survival technique, but is it self destructive?
As I stare at the picture above I see the similarity in out human behaviour. Land and rock is completely different to the fluidity of movement of water or sea. We are so often building these immoveable walls around us which will eventually crumble anyway with the patient and continuous erosion from our surrounding or environment.
Many Eastern philosophers and Buddhas have said that we should be like water. Be pure in our makeup and be open to change. Adapt to our environment. But change does not mean to contradict ourselves either. It is easier to move and feel lighter without carrying these heavy walls we so desperately hold onto. Our environment and society should not make us feel lonely or lost, we should become part of it to enhance and enjoy its full potencial.
Just as the cliffs get shaped by the oceans, so should we be shaped by our environment, in a positive and beneficial way. Let the crashing waves and trials be the right of passage into beautiful perspectives like this photograph.
