by Dr. Amit Sood
Dear friends,
People who are totally selfless and live and breathe altruism are few. People who are totally selfish and malicious are also thankfully few.
In between are all of us – with different degrees of imperfections, mostly well meaning as long as our personal desires are met. Depending on the day, we might be swayed by the senses or anchored by conscience.
Most of us aren’t set in who we are; we get swayed by the wind. The direction and strength of the wind is often not of our choosing. Hence, if we have to blame someone, wherever possible, we should default to blaming the circumstances and have compassion for the person. The alternative, badmouthing others, makes us worse than them.
When I look at others with a commitment to see what is right in them, I start feeling I am living in a good world.
I wish to live in a good world. I wish my children and your children grow up to discover a world that is good and nurturing. Creation of such a world starts with how we look at others – with a desire to validate and not an intention to judge. We should reprogram our default from judging others to validating others.
You can’t change the world, but you can change how you look at the world. If all of us did that, the world will change.
Take care,
Amit
Dr. Amit Sood serves as Chair of Mayo Mind Body Initiative, Director of Research and Practice at Mayo Clinic Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program, Chair of Mayo Medical Student Life and Wellness Committee, and is Associate Director of General Internal Medicine Research Fellowship.
At your next break, try Akimboo's Beginners Guided Meditation for Desk Workers!