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Looking to see beneath the facade that we all present to the world, helps us understand the true good, loving person who is really there.
Why? What's in it for me, you might ask? Well, quite a lot actually.
In almost every job I have had since the age of 14, I have been able to use my efforts in understanding the people with whom I work to better my work experience. From my direct boss or supervisor or to the coworker who didn't like me, seeking to understand them on a deeper, more spiritual level has always brought harmony and better relationships -- even if it took years (which it did in some cases)! And in the meantime, I was able to keep my focus on good, and progress, rather than bemoaning an uncomfortable working situation while it was still going on (although I did my fair share of that at times, believe me).
Example: I moved across country, newly married, and because of my experience at another branch of a national bank, was given an advanced position that many of the current branch employees had wanted, and applied for. Great way to begin a new job, at a deficit! And because most of the employees really disliked my boss, they saw me, who had no history with her, as an accomplice to her unfair tactics, and were set from the beginning to make my life difficult!
With just the sheer brilliance of my stunning personality (ha ha ha) I was able to make friends with many of these people, but one or two really gave it a good fight. I was at this job for three years, and one particular woman, much older than me, spent two of those years really working against me, and being generally unpleasant. But I could see, I could discern so easily at times, that her real issues were the history of how she had been undervalued at this job (which she was in for 25 years), the fact that she had been held back due to having children, and that she and her husband struggled constantly with money. So seeing someone else hold a higher paying position she wanted was difficult, especially seeing as I was so much younger, no kids etc.
I constantly sought to be kind in person to her, and loving in spirit about her, and especially when others were not happy with her. By the end of my employment there, she saw me as one of her strongest allies, and said on more than one occasion how much she valued my support of her, and how much better our workplace seemed, how much more harmonious, in the years I worked there. I left this position with her as one of my favorite co-workers, and still drop in to see her, and catch up.
What a blessing to ME, to have added a friend of such worth, and kindness to my circle, rather than pushing her out, and only seeing a bitter, angry person (which she is just not, contrary to how it seemed many times). The benefit of this struggle is so huge in that many co-workers witnessed and commented on her transformation towards me, and attributed it to my being patient and forgiving.
But this success isn't due to me, or my personality (because I am not always the most patient of people...) but it is 100% attributed to God, who teaches me to see Her creation in everyone, and to acknowledge only the true qualities that a person possesses, and to dismiss those that are negative. And looking to see beneath the facade that we all can present to the world, even without realizing it, helps us to understand the true good, loving person who is really there. Knowing that God creates all, and that all that God creates is good, you can easily see the good in people, and help them, just by knowing this, to present more of their real self to the world.
Seeking to understand those around me, helps me to be kinder, more patient and to witness so much more joy and good in the public then I might otherwise. And the days that I am really focused on seeing this Truth in others, I feel such a specific freedom and joy and love for all those around me. And what more could you ask from any given day? It is amazing! Read more from this blogger at discern daily .
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