Focus, do you see that point in front of you, does it seem clear? Yes? What are you missing? This is the forest from the trees, when you look only at the trees, you do not see the forest, the big picture, the grandness of it all. We spend our lives fighting over and for trivialities whilst we are being torn apart limb by limb. Why is this, why is it that we are so unwilling to see ourselves and the reality of the situation?
We are taught to focus on the details, we are taught to pay attention, we are taught that we must care what others think, protect what is ours, fight for justice. Yet, we do not think it through in regards to the global view of our environment or ourselves, the justice we enact is based on what we claim as right without deep investigation and what we protect is our own egos from emotional suffering.
When will we awaken?
Today, I helped a friend in a way that comes with some personal risk to myself and if they decide to break a promise, break the trust, it will come with some cost. I don't expect them to break my trust as I trust my judgement. Some will see this as naive and if my trust is broken, it is only my fault. Yes, they would be correct and I will take full responsibility and it will likely feel bad if it happens. I will risk it and I will risk it for a simple reason, it is the right thing to do. For them and for myself.
For them, the help is obvious, it is a no brainer and for me to turn away when I can help to instead protect what I may lose, would be to protect the tree while the forest burns to the ground. Not your forest, my forest, my bigger picture, the one that is charitable and holds itself to a higher order of personal integrity, the one I must live in from the day I was born to the day I will die. I can afford to lose a few trees but to neglect the maintenance of the forest is to take a walk on a slippery slope that may have no end and no pathway back up.
I think we have lost sight of our forests by learning to focus on all the threats to our trees. We live in a world of competition where everyone wants to one up us and those who have more, we want to cut down to size. We forget who we are in these woods, forget that we are our own person and think that everyone is out to scam us, trying to take what is ours or hurt us in some way and it makes us hard and insensitive.
The worst part is that when we worry and act upon the possible intentions of others, we forget to play our own game, we don't take care of where we are going and what we are doing about getting there. We become chasers hunting the threats and by the time we look up, we are lost in an unfamiliar forest we no longer recognise, one that is not ours, one that may be a long way from where we want to be.
The cost to me is small in relation to the gain for them from my help so, I help. What this means is at least on this day, my balance sheet for making the world a little better for someone is in the black and my forest feels a little healthier and a little stronger, despite the tiredness of my mind, body and eyes.
Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]
Good point about seeing the forest for the trees. There have been more then a few times in my life where I was focused on one thing that I missed the larger picture. This tends to cost me either time or money....or both.
I like the analogy you used here. The forest and the tree is a great illustration. I totally agree with you about focusing on making the world better is bigger than one's fear of betrayal, deception and scam. The forest, my forest must be catered for at all cost. I appreciate your desire to do the right despite the weariness of your body... Lol. I will take that spirit with me and focus on taking care of my world. Peace
You did the right thing, I like and admire that.
From my experience, I can say that the people which usually don't take the risk to help others, are the same people which, when they do, they expect something in return. Your story reminded me about a discussion I've had with a coleague from work many years ago. But it's completely backwards. He told me that he would do something bad if he was sure that no one will ever find out. But you would know the whole time, I said, does that matter at all for you? Apparently it didn't.
Simple but effective composition with the leading lines of the trees. I like it!
Helping other in difficult situations always makes me feel light and same goes for all humans irrespective of gender, religion, and culture but we should also think about our ourselves. Where we were and where are currently.
Thank you @tarazkp. Sometimes most people becomes reluctant to help due to the few past dark experience they've had. I have seen it happen a whole lot, people that way willing to help others suddenly becomes cold because someone has taken advantage of their kind hearted nature. But like you put it, even if we've been scammed a dozen time, we should learn to forgive ourselves by not allowing the dark experience to define who we are. Those are just a few dead trees, we shouldnt allow their infections to pass to the other still healthy trees in the forest. Have a beautiful day @tarazkp
We become a part of the society slowly and gradually. Forgetting who we really are. We believe those beliefs that are told to us and think they are our own beliefs when they actually are society’s.
Our ego is stupid 😛
it tries to protect something all its life thats not even ours !!
The frog in the well thinks The well is the entire world.Selfishness is human trait,but while being so,We should try not to possess parochial mindset..I know many elderly women in Indian villages who have never seen any place other than they are in.They are born,brought up and breath their last in that one single village!!We can say it is their fate..But one thing that distincts them is their broad mindedness.Despite having less worldly wisdom,they possess a view of humanity that really outpowers the so called international beings!
Helping people always come with a price. Only those who derive their joy and strength in rendering help can pay the price.. I believe strongly you are one of them.
It is a good learn for us.This writing is educative value for all.
We can take out a lot of information from your post.
Thanks @tarazkp.
Trees is very important resource in human being
Trees control the nature
Natures beautiful and important part is tree
Without tree can't look good
You can edit here the same old “high risk, high reward”
But this one is even beter, you risk one tree for the beter of the forest. But if it go’s wrong, you lose this tree, and maybey a few others, bud not the hole forest
I certainly hear you on that one. I like to offer support where possible and I too have those ready to call me foolish or naieve for it; that whole "They wouldn't help you if the roles were reversed!"
But none the less (as you say) I trust my judgement and if it does go to the wall then I will take the responsibility for that.It's my choice... An insightful post sir :)
So it should be, if you took your cross, the heroism lies in the fact that you continue to carry it, regardless of what is happening around. Constant overcoming of obstacles both external and internal. The story described in the Gospel perfectly illustrates how it works ...
Only a few are capable of this and these people become the support and the greatest inspirations for those around them.
I think you're one of those people! Hold on, for the gifts of God are generous!
why the trees are straight