“I” and “We”: What a difference do they make!
By Shiva
@Shiva49 (26204)
Singapore
June 13, 2018 10:49pm CST
“It takes all sorts to make a world”. I take refuge in this phrase when some are beyond reasonable. I comfort myself they do play a part too, sort of villains to keep us on our toes, attuned to the reality of life.
I have come across all sorts from the most loving to the treacherous. It is for us to take care of ourselves but still keep an open mind to enjoy our days. We are left to wonder how people can be so selfless and also get hit between our eyes by those without a conscience.
One of the traits that have stood me well is to open up to others so that they feel comfortable to deal with me. I am circumspect to start with but when others respond positively, I enjoy their company and make them feel at home.
I love the word “we” more than “I”. The former shows acceptance of others while the latter tends to close the door. It is so much nicer to be on this journey together. After all, that is the basic fact of life. We cannot isolate ourselves from society.
The divine energy that is omnipresent to keep creation going excludes none. Then when we align ourselves with it to enjoy our ride here in its entirety, there is no “I”. It is “we” all the time. When we embrace others, our lives are filled with love; soon those who stay on the sidelines cross over to join this inclusive journey.
Happiness is a state of mind after all; let us not exclude others who are eager to join our shared journey.
Image: Shared Journey from Wikimedia Commons
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3 responses
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
14 Jun 18
Hi Siva. I like the word "we" too because it is selfless and you are able to share with others. It is not about oneself. Another can be "us".
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@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
14 Jun 18
@Shiva49 Thank you, Siva. I think some people just want it all to themselves.
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@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Jun 18
That you are able to be open with others and share the " we" speaks well of your spiritual evolution.
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@innertalks (21026)
• Australia
14 Jun 18
That's an interesting discussion subject siva, and interesting too, that you prefer the "we "over the "I".
How does this "I" best work together with the "we" then?
"The I in the we is me to see in three."
We are spiritual, human, and global then, in our make up. Individuals in body, but one in spirit, one whole oneness, nothing is left out.
Love lives in all aspects of creation, joining the one to the many, and the many to the one, leave out the individual, and love's focus could not be as strong.
Love needs a focus for its intensity of strength to work through, and so both the "I" and the "we", or the one and the many, are both necessary in God's world of creation.
Sometimes, the individual can provide shade on the road of oneness, to itself, and to others, and to the whole too. Such shade cannot exist without individuals making it in the oneness.
The "I" and the "we" walk best together.
Note: These thoughts are only my own thoughts about this interesting topic of discussion.
Photo Credit:
The photo used here was freely sourced from the free media site: pixabay.com.
@innertalks (21026)
• Australia
15 Jun 18
@Shiva49 True, true, practically speaking, but on the other hand, it has always been those rare meteorites that blaze through the masses, and create change too.
People like Albert Einstein, and Jesus Christ, did a lot to change the world, but as you said, they did it as "I" but for "we".
They didn't want personal glory for doing so.
Even Newton said that he only saw further, because he had stood on the shoulders of giants.
The "I's" individually can become "we's" without wheezing about it then. It is only because of the "I's" that we have "we's".
Every "we" is made up of dots, in its landscape, otherwise, we would never even see the"we".
When the "I" sees the "we" in the "I" though, we are all "we's" in the "I" then too.
Sorry, siva. I am just having fun with the play on words here.
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@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
15 Jun 18
@innertalks For all great souls, it was always "we", and "I" for them merged with "we".
That brings Gorbachev back "Jesus was the first socialist, the first to seek a better life for mankind".
I worked for one who always used "ours" and not "mine", though the millions were his and remained with him! But that approach of his proved soothing to hear that we were in it together.
I heard one saying when I was young "each can do but little, but if each does that little, all will be done".
So we all work for our own good when we have a common goal.
Kim's words prove we are all human with same fears and hopes. It is easy to demonize others but we have to think outside of the box; it does not matter who does it as long as we all progress. As Deng Xiaoping said, "it does not matter whether the cat is black or white, it has to catch mice.".
It is also worthwhile to remember though words once out can't be put back one can still look ahead. Kim and Trump traded insults and boasted who had weapons more powerful to annihilate each other. It also had some humour. Trump tweeted "Why is he calling me old man; I don't call him fat and short."
But with the right attitude, it can be hunky-dory soon! siva
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@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
15 Jun 18
Thanks, Steve. Let us not forget we are part of the whole.
"I" and "me" point towards ego, separateness, while "we" and "us" to inclusion and acceptance.
The world breathed a sigh of relief when "we" scored over "I" like when cooperation trumped over divisiveness bringing down obstacles created in the endless game of politics.
North Korean leader Kim said "Well, it was not easy to get here, The past worked as fetters on our limbs, and the old prejudices and practices worked as obstacles on our way forward. But we overcame all of them and we are here today".
It was a miracle when the Iron Curtain was dismantled. President Reagan's charm offensive might have touched a chord with Gorbachev. The latter's words are worth remembering and emulating "If what you have done yesterday still looks big to you, you haven't done much today".
Whatever one may think of President Trump, the proof of the pudding is its eating And again to recall Gorbachev "What we need is Star Peace and not Star Wars."
The world will be just different if we put "we and us" above "I and me" - siva
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