Carl Jung said, “Everything
that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”
Such a simple yet profound thought and one that causes my ever wandering mind
to wander even further down the rabbit hole. It is those very characteristics
and traits that I find ever annoying, grating and unbearable in others that are
the very qualities I struggle with internally. Of course I can’t find an
example, but perhaps it is in vain or self preservation. It is interesting
however, that in the very same manner we often attribute those undesirable
traits in others as outside ourselves and something to be prevented or avoided,
when in its very essence, it resonates within our very own being as traits we
dislike just as much within ourselves.
But, what about the
opposite? What about those qualities in others that we admire? Can we find
these same qualities within ourselves? Do we admire them because we embody
them, or do we aspire to develop, hone and use them? Can it be that simple? I
am not convinced…. rather I assert that those qualities I admire in others such
as boldness, inner confidence, mindfulness and steadfast faith, are indeed
qualities I possess, but are also qualities that I continually struggle to
empower, enforce and maintain. It is these qualities in others that I admire
and aspire to learn and grow from. Yet I question whether we can admire
qualities not yet personally witnessed or experienced as then they have the potential
to be undefined and therefore unknown?
The ever infinite
circle of analytical thought, sometimes it plagues me, other times it motivates
me and often times it propels me… Developed at a young age, the innocent
questions of faith, purpose, personality and experience crowds, clouds and confirms
my thoughts; reaching outwards, upwards and onwards, gathering the past,
defining the present and identifying the possibilities of the future…
