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Online since 1999

We are all in the same boat

8/25/2022

2 Comments

 
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In chapter 11 of The Art of War, Sun Tzu said: 夫吳人與越人相惡也,當其同舟濟而遇風,其相救也如左右手, which means "The men of Wu and Yueh hated each other, however, encountering severe winds when crossing a river on the same boat, they assisted each other like left and right hands."

If you see someone is hitting his own face, we can all agree he needs psychological assistance. Yet at this very moment, nations are threatening other nations with war. This action isn't too far away from my analogy.

First, these nations aren't too far away geographically from each other. Second, even if they are far away, there isn't a city on Earth that isn't connected to at least another city, making isolation a myth. And third, living on Earth is tough enough. Big problems and other bad storms happen naturally. We all have to deal with them. Why create more storms artificially and create more trouble for ourselves?

Our world is indeed small. It's "a pale blue dot" is what the late astrophysicist Carl Sagan used to say. We are all on this same dot, i.e., boat. Therefore, it's foolish not to try to understand each other and help each other along, because we would also be understanding and helping ourselves as well. ☯
2 Comments
Trey Davis
8/26/2022 02:47:59 am

I think "understanding each other and helping each other along" starts with self-examination. Am I self-aware? Do I truly seek out my flaws introspectively? Do I spend more time critiquing the behavior of others than I do my own? Every day is opportunity to grow, transform, and exceed who I was the day before. This is only possible if I prudently and honestly judge my thoughts and actions consistently. See if they line up with the person I anticipate being. It is not about comparing myself to another. It is strictly about that man in the mirror. Do I like what I see and feel about him? The approval I need is from him. It is him for whom I should be proud. It is him for whom I should be happy. Once we "remove the plank from our own eye" we will then see clearly how to assit and help others.

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Boyd
8/26/2022 01:36:02 pm

To quote a line in a Louis L'Amour line in "Riders of The Purple Sage", "Habit of years is as strong as Life".
I have young and old friends who resist introspection, and have actually told me why, because they fear the unknown and are afraid of who they might become! So they stick to the Habits of Life with all their might.

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