Maybe We Should Take Our Own Advice For a Change

Does the phrase “Do as I say, not as I do” sound familiar?  

Sure we are supposed to listen but in reality many of us do more what we see. 

How many times have you heard yourself say such things as, “Now you listen to me.” “I know what is best for you.” “I can read your mind.” “You are an open book.” “You don’t know what you are talking about.” “You are wrong.” “Why are you so stubborn, you never listen.”

Shall I go on? Better yet email me some of yours and I’ll use those next time.

It seems that sometimes we jump to give advice because it makes us feel better. We feel that we did something. We just couldn’t we keep still, but who gave us the answers? 

Helplessness over another person's situation is as uncomfortable as a silence that must be broken. 

The question is, am I really helping you? Maybe I am just alleviating my own pain.

What is it that stops us from asking, “Do you want my opinion? 

Probably fear that they reply, ‘No.”

What makes us think we are so smart when it comes to others, and yet we do such stupid things for ourselves? 

Maybe we need the practice? 

So if we were not giving advice what would we be doing? We might focus more on ourselves.  Wow, there’s a concept.  

How exactly would I do that? Why would I?  Why would I want to focus on me? That could be painful.

If my focus is on you I avoid looking at me. I prefer to change you. I can mold you in to my own image.

Do we really desire to do that?

The truth is, if I do not look within then I deny myself.  

After all, “Intimacy” translates to “In-to-me-I-must-see.”