Walking in the Middle

Buddhist belief often refers to Taking the Middle Path, neither too far this way nor too far that.

Sound easy, huh? Just sit the fence.

Nope, it's about recognizing how easily you can easily allow yourself to become swayed into a belief or movement. Rather than using logic to see a situation clearly, we all sometimes let the actions or words of others make decisions for us. I think of this as giving someone else control our emotional reigns, rather than being mindful of them ourselves. Why think about a situation, how it affects us or what our actions can do as a result? Following the "herd mentality" only requires one thing, no thought, just follow.

I think of that as the easy out, a no brainer.

If you find yourself confronted with a situation (mess, hulabaloo, whatev...), you have to avoid taking sides. This is where the difficulties arise. Everyone has an opinion and some of them can't wait to share those opinions with the World. Sometimes they get upset with you because you don't immediately agree with everything that they say or do. Taking the Middle Path means that you listen, observe, and consider all sides.You come to your own conclusions in your own time. You can even have an opinion on that situation BUT at the same time, you are mindful of the fact that your opinion can impact other people and their actions. If you can see that sharing your opinion will have a positive impact, then you can act on it. If not, well then, heed the words of my Papaw..."Keep your nose in your own business!".

I need to keep this in mind as I move forward with what remains of this school year. Lots of changes are coming down the pike and  tons of opinions, posturing and maneuvering taking place. I'm just going to sit back and watch. Good will out. (Yes, my brain just channeled Mr. Weasley there!) The Bad...well, let them find their own way. I doubt that they'd listen to me anyways.