Seasons

I suspect that bad behaviour made by people in positions of authority or respect becomes acceptable, because it can allow a mob mentality, and there is strength in numbers. I have been experiencing in my social and professional life dishonest, misleading, and outright unfair actions that shouldn't be allowed, but are, and now I think I know why.

There is comfort when we surround ourselves with people like us, but that isn't always the right thing to do, or the best for our intellectual or emotional growth. There's a saying, "If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room.", but I think this mob mentality thrives on the continuation of lowering standards, despite the harm it does to us individually and within the collective we're in. This is where this mob mentality can become a subtle foe, because it obliterates all reason.

Now why do we allow for this? I have two theories: 1) We don't want to be challenged in our set ways, most especially when we are being invited to change in a way that involves humbling ourselves to be of service, rather than to be lifted high and mighty, and 2) We try to maintain the pack by accepting inappropriate, even aggressive behaviour of individuals, even when it hurts the whole. Typically this is done when the pack leader is not personally affected, and again lacks the humility to see it hurts those in the whole.

This all boils down to the seeming inability to be humble, which in turn degrades the whole. This is a perfect example of how humility actually means strength, how spirituality is by no means weak. When the people who lead the others can't stay levelled, controlled, which is how I understand the word humility today, then the people who are part of the pack, who hold no influence, are left in limbo - or worse - removed either by choice or coercion. The head of the mob continues on, not even realizing they are slowly asphyxiating themselves. It's actually tragic.

This is where I do my best to weigh my options, and to make stronger connections with people who I believe I can rely on in future times when packs go through unhealthy seasons. I have found that times of distress are really opportunities to cleanse and rebuild. Today my role models are people who aren't afraid to go through the pain and discomfort of purging. When I am strengthened through discipline, it is easier for me to be compassionate when the herd is diseased, and the leaders are corrupted. 

To be focussed is so important, so that there is no time for analyzing, and worse yet, acting on feelings. "This too shall pass" is a cliché that can be used to justify apathy and despondency, but in truth, you don't have to keep your standards and spirits low, sitting around in frustration, waiting for the season to change. You can instead prepare for what is sure to come - tomorrow.