After a week of spending 12 hours a day with the same people in my recent glassblowing class, this is what I have learned about myself through others. I confirmed that what I feel about others is actually what is within me and reflected back to me. This week, I observed my feelings about others, and watched how I reacted to others.
One person spent a great deal of time telling others to relaxed and stay calm in the glassblowing studio. I actually felt fairly calm as I regularly work in a hot glass and flame working studios at home. At first, I didn’t know why she was repeating this over and over again to everyone. When I was around her, I tried to remain totally quiet and calm, and realized that she was terrified of the hot glass studio and feared failure. The fear within her was reflected back to her through everyone else.
This is what I observed about fear. When we have fear, we try to control everyone and everything around us to cope with this fear. The truth is that this is no way to live our lives. First, it does not truly deal with the underlying fear, and second, no one wants to be around this unpleasant control. When we can’t control our environment, the fear causes us to become angry and upset.
As I observed her behavior, I tried to see what I felt from others that is reflected back from within me. With each person that I had a personal problem, I tried to forgive that person, and give them another chance. I also forgave myself for feeling this resentment or slight. Although I may not become good friends with these people, I was able to work with them and still enjoy our time together.
This method I used through observing myself with others allowed me to work cooperatively with others, allowed me to enjoy our time together, and made the whole experience joyful. This morning, I cried at this successful experience that I created for myself, and feel deep gratitude for this joyful spiritual experience. May you find the joy within you, Brooke (Copyright 2014 Burrowing Owl Presss/Brooke Chang with All Rights Reserved)
Pathway to Joy and Healing 