"Keys to a Better Life"
Earlier this week I observed a conversation by a group of individuals who were discussing feedback received in their department from airline passengers complaining that they had been inconvenienced because the person sitting next to them was overweight.
In general, these passengers complained that because the overweight person beside them took up in excess of the seat allocated to them, their own flight became physically uncomfortable and caused practical inconveniences such as access to and from their seat, use of tray tables, constantly being bumped by cabin crew passing by and so on.
As it wasn’t what they’d paid for (i.e. they purchased a full seat but only gained access to half of one), they were demanding some form of compensation from the airline.
Who or What in these instances is at fault? Is it the overweight passenger, the airline or the passenger placing the complaint?
They shared various perspectives:
“Humanity has become completely intolerant” was the sentiment of one individual, who by their own admission is overweight. “What’s the big deal? It’s usually only a couple of hours.” Another, who is less than 5 feet tall made comments along the lines of, “They [The airlines] should weigh people and luggage together to determine beforehand the seating and baggage allowance.” This statement was agreed to by others. What about the height/weight ratio? There are many people who are tall and not overweight but will be penalised for their height, was the sentiment of yet others (these people were in excess of 6 feet tall).
At no time during the conversation however was there any mention of personal responsibility.
The ancient teachers have taught us that there is One Source and Cause of all that we experience. They say that our thoughts and feelings create our reality. Having put these kinds of statements and philosophies to the test in recent years, in every area of my life, I can vouch for the fact that whilst I may not enjoy all of the conditions through which my experiences come, I am totally responsible for each and every one of them - no matter what the condition, situation or scenario.
We are living in an ‘information era’ so in my view, personal responsibility takes the gathering of relevant information and tolerance into account.
When I observe my thoughts and personal conversations, and that of others, I’m amazed at how often we place the responsibility for our desirable and undesirable conditions and related experiences outside of our self.
Therefore, by taking personal responsibility for upcoming events by imagining my ideal, I get better outcomes; ones that are pleasant in every aspect. On the occasions when I do still find myself in the midst of undesirable conditions, I again take personal responsibility for the experience and choose to remember that all conditions are temporary. Therefore, as soon as I change my thoughts, feelings and attitude about a current undesirable experience that my physical senses reflect, I regain the power to change the conditions. I do this by imagining a new, more enjoyable situation, I look for beauty in everyone and everything and I find that I either engage the person I perceived to be the cause of my displeasure in new and interesting ways or that other factors immediately show up to move me to new and more pleasurable conditions and therefore experiences.
I choose to believe that everything that is happening to me, is happening for my highest good (my growth) assisting me in being the person I say I am or now wish to be.
Simple, but not always easy….
Until next time,
Live the Life you Love
J. x
