26 Comments
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Skúli Jakobsson's avatar

It is so easy to "read" people wrong.

Binary thinking - quick, easy explanation for their behaviour. Seeing trees instead of the forest.

The more I learn, the more I am aware of the minefield I am living in.

There's a beautiful saying in Icelandic: 'Aðgát skal höfð í nærveru sálar', which essentially means: 'Care should be taken in the presence of another soul. '

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

Great comment. Thank you very much.

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Renee Marie's avatar

Excellent article!

At nearly 62, I always say, we don’t know what another soul is going through.

Be gentle on one another…LOVE.

It’s truly amazing how concern, a smile, a comment, a hug can help someone.

Be the Light, and it helps you too!

I could give you countless examples.

My dad always said when I was little, “Kill ‘em with kindness Renee.”

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

Heartwarming. Thank you

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Brent Calhoon's avatar

I create and provide opportunities. That’s my role as an employer and business owner. I dedicate endless time to my employees who genuinely try to help themselves and learn. Most don’t try and take their entitlement to (fill in blank) as far as they can until I fire them. Everyone is fucked up; i understand that well. Most enjoy it and use it to their advantage in our legal system.

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

Very cool. Socialists will get triggered by your comment. They don’t like employers or employment in general for that matter.

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Brent Calhoon's avatar

I enjoy triggering socialists. Love to ask them questions and watch the meltdown/tantrum.

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

We shouldn’t need to. Socialists are doing traumatized people. Not an excuse, but an explanation

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Brent Calhoon's avatar

Indeed and agree. I have no illusions about making them think. If they could/would, they wouldn’t be socialists. But occasionally I can’t help myself.

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

Self-control then.

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Brent Calhoon's avatar

Everything in moderation. Life would be very boring otherwise.

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

Indeed, but does“everything is moderation” apply to “everything in moderation”?

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Brent Calhoon's avatar

I will ponder that! My phrase suggests human choice and self control, albeit non-harmful “moderation” is different depending on the “thing”.

Your phrase suggests an axiom. Since “everything” references inanimate objects, I suppose they indeed are moderation absent humans.

So, I agree with your ponderable. However, given “moderation” is bound by always to never (or paradoxically both absent humans), I believe finding our unique individual balances adds richness to life.

Perhaps that’s delusional, but at least it’s been interesting and I’ve learned a lot through trial & error to find my moderation with the things I’ve experienced (ever changing, too).

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Humble Pilgrim's avatar

This is such a sweet and compassionate piece. It’s why I try to be nice to everyone and be helpful and say something nice. Just treat people carefully and kindly because you never know what happened to them

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

Thank you very much. I hope we can help people through our efforts. People out there do need help and they do want to improve. They just don’t know how.

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adam's avatar

Digging the video format 👍

Great post

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

Thank you very much, Adam. I’m glad you do. It was time-consuming to make.

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Renee Marie's avatar

Thank you! I always love your articles. They’re different, and they’re REAL. I’ve saved quite a few😉👍!

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

Very glad you liked them, and hope you get some useful insight from them.

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Renee Marie's avatar

ALWAYS! I’ve already forwarded it!

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

Thank you. I hope it reaches people who will gain from it.

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Verity Love's avatar

WOW! Another hard-hitting topic, Sotiris. I resonated with all of those samples, I experienced many of those thoughts, feelings and abuse. It took major healing to emerge out of the dark to find true self. I still struggle sometimes, but not at all like I used to.

People everywhere could use more compassion. We can't know what our friend or neighbor is going through unless they tell us. I'm always willing to help. Just be there. Sometimes people just need to be heard.

We live in busy times and who really takes the time to listen to the answer, "how are you feeling?". Many people don't hear me because they're too busy in their own heads for my answer to register in their minds.

When I ask someone how they are feeling, I don't let them off with "ok" or "fine", or the ones that answer how they are doing. So, I let them talk and then ask again, "but how are you feeling?"

Sometimes I then ask if there's anything I can do to help.

This takes mental training and as an empath, I can feel what others feel, so I know if I'm hearing the truth.

The world needs much more compassion and empathy.

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

Indeed, those afraid to show compassion lest they be exploited demonstrate an inner weakness and lack of steadfast conviction in their values.

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Forlorn Fimbul's avatar

Great post.

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Sotiris Rex's avatar

I’m very glad you believe so. Thank you. Please share if you know anyone who might benefit from it.

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adam's avatar

I think it's more palatable than reading, and I say this as a reader.

This kind of thing is more mobile

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