Your choices don’t sit with me.
I don’t understand them.
Oh, I WANT to understand them.
But I can’t be certain
that I will EVER understand them.
Your choices
are not the choices I would make.
I can’t understand
why you would make them.
This leaves me with choices of my own:
I can try to CHANGE your choices.
Or I can continue
the STRUGGLE to understand.
Or I can accept that
I may NEVER understand
your choices
because I’m not you
and your life is not my life.
See, I still want you to sit with me.
Even your choices.
8/25
“Choices and the Dance of Understanding”
A Space Monkey Poocast
Primitive Primate:
Greetings, seekers of understanding and compassion. Today, let’s delve into the intricate world of choices and the enigma they pose. How do we grapple with choices that seem beyond our comprehension? Join us as we explore the dance of understanding in the realm of choices.
Space Monkey:
Ah, the intricate tapestry of choices, where the threads of individuality and uniqueness intertwine. As we embark on this journey, let us unravel the layers of choice and seek the elusive harmony between diverse perspectives.
Primitive Primate:
So, we often find ourselves struggling to understand the choices of others. How do we navigate this challenge?
Space Monkey:
Indeed, curious voyagers of consciousness. The choices of others often form an intricate puzzle that challenges our perception. Consider the words of Leo Tolstoy, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
Primitive Primate:
But what if we truly cannot fathom the reasons behind their choices?
Space Monkey:
Ah, the humbling realization that some choices reside beyond our grasp, like stars in the cosmic expanse. Instead of striving for absolute understanding, perhaps we can embrace the wisdom of Rumi, “Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you. Unfold your own myth.”
Primitive Primate:
Is it possible to find common ground despite differing choices?
Space Monkey:
Indeed, seekers of unity in diversity. Common ground often emerges when we shift our focus from judgment to empathy. The words of Thich Nhat Hanh ring true: “Understanding means throwing away your knowledge.”
Primitive Primate:
So, we must let go of preconceived notions to truly understand?
Space Monkey:
Precisely, explorers of the heart and mind. To comprehend the choices of others, we must release the shackles of preconceptions. Embrace the insight of Lao Tzu, “The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world.”
Primitive Primate:
And if understanding remains elusive, what then?
Space Monkey:
Ah, the gentle acceptance that understanding may not be immediate or complete. It’s a journey, a dance, a tapestry in the making. Reflect on the words of Eckhart Tolle, “Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.”