Have you heard this story about Thomas Edison before?
Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?” Edison replied,
“I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”
I love this story (it has been reported in a few different variations of words but the meaning remains the same), because it shows very clearly that it’s all about perspective!
Our level of consciousness tends to determine our worldview, and there’s going to be a lot of people who view you, your life journey, your purpose, your skills, your mind, your body, your creative attempts within the narrow confines of their own worldview/ consciousness level. They can’t elevate their consciousness without the willingness to do so, but that doesn’t mean you sink down to their level, their meanings, their judgments, instead, you offer them a higher perspective. Now they may be inspired by it or they may mock it, no matter, you have offered a higher perspective shift and one day, in one lifetime, they’ll understand it. Until then, you’ve held your vision, you’ve walked your path and you’ve let them walk theirs.
Bishop T.D Jakes has an analogy that I have always really liked (Break it Down Bishop! Here’s a link to him talking about it about 10 years ago on Oprah https://youtu.be/DtYj59oxChs )
“Giraffes don’t take advice from turtles”.
Meaning that these 2 animals occupy the same space but they don’t have the same worldview: giraffes eat leaves from the highest branches, it has the perspective from up high, so if a turtle comes along and questions, criticises or judges the actions of the giraffe, the giraffe just recognises that the turtle is just looking at the world from its own lower perspective: the giraffe doesn’t have to prove anything or change the mind of the turtle, it doesn’t have to make the turtle wrong, because from the turtle’s level that’s all the turtle can see, but very importantly, the giraffe doesn’t come down to the level of the turtle because doing so harms the giraffe, because it’s not built for the lower levels.
It’s a cute analogy but important – because otherwise you will allow others to frame your experiences, and they may frame your experiences negatively, just because that’s the level at which they are at. There’s no need to judge them back just don’t allow others to frame your experiences, you are the architect of your life, you get to define your own experiences.
Albert Einstein (my hero) has been quoted as saying similar, but more directly:
“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.”
Now, I don’t think we should go around declaring that anyone who disagrees with us are “mediocre minds” nor start shouting “fake news” at all our dissenters! Constructive criticism and critical debate are important to move ideas forward.
It’s more about how we walk own our personal path and have the internal strength to be ourselves in a world that is always trying to mould us into something we’re not. This can sometimes be hard to do if you’re sensitive to other people’s judgments (I know I am). But, this is the practice: to not allow other people’s judgments to define or adapt you!
So, when faced with people who don’t understand your path. Don’t despair; instead own your journey. Own your 1000 step process.
I was recently inspired by a young Japanese “salary man” Shoji Morimoto who was always criticised by his bosses for “doing nothing”. In the Japanese corporate world, this feels like the worst of all personal slurs! He left the corporate world as it just didn’t suit him! So when considering what he could do instead, he decided to turn this criticism into a business, and he created the service of “doing nothing” with him . He’s now the “Doing Nothing Man” : you can hire him, to hang out and do nothing with. This has proven especially popular amongst those who want company but without the pressure of regular social engagements.
It reminded me of my favourite artists the Impressionists. “Impressionists!” was a scathing criticism levelled at them at their early exhibitions. Instead of getting upset, they owned it and gave their movement this name! I loved that they took the judgment and turned it to their favour. I shudder at the thought if my favourite artists taken this criticism to heart and packed up their easels, conformed to their critics and given up on their dreams.
So, when faced with judgment, criticism, or pressures of conformity, why not practice reframing criticisms, judgements, or “setbacks” as part of your evolutionary process that you welcome on the way towards self-mastery. Neutralise the negativity directed at you: through your acceptance and ownership of them. Take what others see as a weakness and turn it into your greatest achievement.
Turtles are turtles, giraffes are giraffes: respect each other’s journey.
You’re not an impressionist nor will you start a business “doing nothing” because you have your own unique path to walk and if it takes 1000 or 1 million steps, so be it.
Don’t let anyone define you. It’s your unique path, you define it. The honour of walking it is yours alone.
Big Hugs & Love,
Sharon