Labels – The Enlightened Mind
This month I was going to look at the letter ‘N’ in change and the words ‘No’ and ‘Now’ but instead I want to look at the topic of labels.
What do I mean by labels? I mean the labels we all have attached to us by others or even by ourselves. How many labels have you had attached to you? Maybe you’ve been labelled as fat or thin, happy or sad, boring or exciting, rich or poor.
Sometimes we may label others as better or more important than us or make assumptions about people because of the labels that have been attached to them rather than acknowledging that underneath it all they are an individual just like you and me.
Maybe we can compare people to products? Some products are well packaged, look expensive and are promoted as such. I’ve seen a number of shows or articles that have tested some of these products against similar less expensive goods. On a lot of occasions when put to the test, the less expensive product has been given better ratings when those testing have not been influenced by the packaging or labels. You can’t always judge a book by the cover!
No matter what labels we have attached to us, we don’t have to accept them. Like the labels on new clothes we can always remove them, they don’t need to remain with us. We all have numerous labels attached to us at any given time. A person may be a mother, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a lawyer, etc. But they are still an individual in their own right with their own needs and thoughts and responsibilities.
This is not a perfect world and how others behave or label us is not in our control. What we can control is how we behave. As I have said in previous articles, our thoughts, actions and reactions are all we can ever really control. Have you been affected by the labels that others have placed on you? Have you limited yourself because of others’ opinions? Maybe it’s time for you to cut those labels?
Have you reacted to the packaging or label rather than to the person? In a world that is constantly changing perhaps it’s time we change how we see ourselves and others? Look beyond the labels we all wear and see each other as individuals with our own strengths and weaknesses. To look upon others and know that everyone has their faults and failings as well as their strengths and successes. Look for the similarities between us rather than the differences. The labels we wear don’t always tell the full story!
Our next healing day is on Saturday 23rd September from 10am until 2pm at Crosby Library, hope you are able to attend.
Paul@theenlightenedmind.co.uk
https://theenlightenedmind.co.uk/about.html
