When you realize there is truth in the
title of this post, it's a bit of a tough revelation to swallow. Why
is it anyone else's business how you live your life? The answer is
both simple and complex. So, to begin with, let's start with a fact we are all familiar with.
We are all connected through our
actions and reactions.
No argument there, right? Most of us
know that everything we do or say impacts others. Even our beliefs
influence our behavior. They prompt us to speak, act and react in a
certain way. Therefore, our beliefs also impact other people,
especially those closest to us.
Are we in agreement so far?
Good, because here's where it gets
interesting.
Because of our connection to everyone
and everything in the universe, while we appear to be individuals,
our true value and purpose lies in being a functioning part of a
greater whole. This revelation can be both liberating and scary.
Relinquishing yourself to the cog in
the wheel theory, well, it pretty much goes against everything we've
ever been conditioned to believe, doesn't it? I mean, we're all about
being who we are, celebrating our individuality, etc. etc.
And yet, gazing at the big picture
reveals that every little piece of the natural world, ourselves
included, is just another cog in the great wheel of life. We are both
insignificant and valuable. Our value lies in the fact that how we
live our lives impacts everyone's “success” and not just our own.
It has both nothing and everything to do with our independent
actions.
Complicated, yes?
Your decisions, thoughts and actions
have a huge impact on everyone around you. If you're not pulling the
weight of the chain that your particular cog is responsible for
pulling, chances are, someone else has to take up the slack in order
for the wheel to turn.
On the other hand, if your cog is
functioning properly, the wheel turns more smoothly in response. No one else has to pull your weight.
To take it a step further, if your cog
is functioning above and beyond what it takes to turn the wheel, you
not only carry your own weight, you ease the burden of others. That
is, for people who are not, for whatever reason, performing their own
duties.
This group would, of course, include
the sick, the elderly and such.
Unfortunately, it also includes people
who, for whatever reason, have decided that their life is none of
your business, people who, even though they are perfectly capable
individuals, refuse to hoist their burden, which forces you to take
up the slack, yes?
Feels a little different on the heavy
end of the chain, right?
Do you see why everything you say and
do is the business of someone else? At the very least, you have to
admit that it is the business of the cog closest to you, that is
forced to take on your duties. However, in actuality, your life is
the business of everyone who is influenced by your thoughts and
resultant actions.
Which is literally, everyone!
So, yes, although it's a tough pill to
swallow, it really is everyone else's business how you live your
life. It's still your prerogative to live life as you choose, of
course. Sort of. Just keep in mind that doing so without considering your impact on others will sometimes limit
their ability to function properly.
And that's just not very nice, is it?
But there's another silver lining to taking up your own slack. Because guess what? If you're not
burdening those other cogs with your duties, they'll likely be able
to focus on their own responsibilities instead of worrying about
yours. And that means, no one will have to pick up their slack
either.
See how that works? We're all in this
life together. That makes what everyone does, everyone else's
business. We might not like that but it doesn't make it any less
true.
So, go ahead, follow your dreams. Just
make sure you're not holding others back from doing the same.
Yank your own chain, little cog. That
way, no one else has to yank it for you.
#BeLove #BeKind #BeConsiderate
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