When I used to hear mockery about viewing the world through rose-colored glasses, I didn't get why it was a bad thing to be optimistic. I totally believe in peace on earth and the concept that "what the world needs now is love, sweet love". Granted, it makes for a good fortune cookie and a great platform if you want to be elected to the position of "Mother Earth". On the other hand, who wants war, mayhem and escalating hatred?
To me, using a filter of seeing the world through loving eyes is different than putting on "rose-colored glasses". If you've never heard of Debbie Ford's book, The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, the concept is that we all have to embrace the negative parts of ourselves on the road to self-acceptance.
If we can't love ourselves, how can we love other people? I can't pretend bad things don't happen in this world. We are all involved in how we treat our fellow-man. If we don't "own" our parts in it, we can't be open to changing things for the better. I have to "own" my darkness to become lighter. It's about acknowledging an issue before it can be processed and changed.
"Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? Conni stole the cookie from the cookie jar. Who me? Yes you. Couldn't be. Then who?" There is always a cookie missing. So one of us is culpable...or maybe all of us...does it matter who stole it if we all had a bite? I don't think we should go to prison or be stoned to death for stealing a cookie, but I do believe we have to "own" it and make appropriate amends.
That is one of the most difficult steps, although it seems easy. Our best is good enough, and our best doesn't have to be perfection. But we all need to accept the unacceptable parts of ourselves in order to accept the unacceptable parts of the rest of the human beings in the world. That is tolerance, and tolerance leads to greater peace.
I don't believe in public humiliation, wearing a Scarlet Letter or needing to shout our mistakes from the rooftops. I think we all have a chance to forgive ourselves in private. Your darkness is not my business and my darkness is not your business; unless we have broken laws, of course.
The more I accept myself, the more often I can use my "love goggles" to see other people. It doesn't mean I think I am perfect or that they are perfect. It means we can love each other, or be more tolerant of each other, in spite of our imperfections and differences.
Have a great day!
xo
Conni
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