Because my last post was about the Dalai Lama's 77th birthday, I thought I would write a quick blurb on the coattails of that, since this experience is (at least remotely) related.
On a visit to my husband's workplace last week, I remembered that it was the Dalai Lama's birthday, so I thought it would be nice to post about it. While I was writing, a colleague of my husband's stopped by to say hello- It was his birthday, too! However, he was unfortunately (albeit jokingly) rather bummed out, having been born on the same day as former US president, George W. Bush.
I laughed and said that if he thought that was such a bad thing, he might be happy to know that he also shares his birthday with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He brightened up for a second, then made a sudden 'head exploding' motion with his hands. "The Dalai Lama and George W. Bush have the same birthday?! Mind blown!"
But you know, I was only being sassy because I have learned this lesson myself. There have been times when for some reason I have been really put off by someone, disagreeing with them about almost everything. Yet, some of these same people have also become good friends of mine (eventually :).
The only reason I can think of why we became friends is because there was a mutual effort to see through the superficial. The fact is, I have realized that although I won't necessarily 'like' everyone (and vise versa!), I can now stand back and know that anyone, friend or foe, has the capacity to surprise. (And apparently, people have also realized the same thing about me)
Have you had such an experience, where someone you thought you had nothing in common with suddenly surprises you? Perhaps you didn't become BFFs, but what did you learn? Please share in the comments below, I would love to hear your take on this!
*****
"Hanging on to resentment is letting someone you despise living rent-free in your head" Ann Landers (Esther Lederer)
May all beings be happy!
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ReplyDeleteVery true, Lon. Please keep in mind I was just being cheeky in this post, hence the "like" in quotes. A feeling of love, or at least understanding and empathy towards all can have some remarkable effects.
DeleteThanks for the comment, and take care!
I have had those experiences. You see someone and the first impressions isn't the greatest, but after a few encounters, you see that person is a good person. I've also had the opposite experience. Where I meet someone and I think, 'Wow, that person sure is kind, friendly, or whatever' to find out they are truly a pain in the patootie lol But I also agree with Lon, if you look hard enough, EVERYONE has something good within them. We just may have to dig deeper with some people than others. hee hee
ReplyDeleteI know, right?! It is amazing how common these types of encounters are. And yes, sometimes digging deeper is truly necessary. :)
DeleteOh yes, I can relate. I have been doing metta meditation for a person who I find very "difficult". I had always seen him as very condescending & arrogant. Then something happened, where I looked at him and saw the rawness and vulnerability in his face and I thought "you know what, this person is just trying to do the right thing". I wouldn't say we were exactly friends now, but I do feel that a barrier came down in that moment, which enabled me to see him as another human being, as worthy of love & compassion as any. I felt surprise and gratitude.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thought provoking post!
Thanks so much, VivJM, for your insightful comment, and for sharing your story. Sometimes stopping for a moment and seeing the human being in someone else can really open up our world.
DeleteThanks again!
Yes, I certainly have had those experiences, and felt very rich for them.
ReplyDeleteHello Jeanne, Thanks so much for your comment. I am happy to hear that you have benefitted from encounters such as these in your life!
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