Nobody out there

This article is inspired by an experience the author had in 2023.

The author and his wife were traveling from Europe to Latin America. Of course, it is a very long journey, and in the author's case, he arrived very tired and jetlagged. Plus, there is a big time difference.

As one can imagine, the first day after arrival, one would want to sleep in the afternoon to recover and recalibrate one's body. It is during this siesta, that a lesson presented itself to the author.

From frustration to laughter

It was around 3PM and the author was deep asleep. It was less than 24 hours after arrival and the environment and sounds were all very new to the authors's ears. From this deep sleep, the author was awakened by the yelling of a child. 

"Mama, mama, maaaa!" went the yelling. Irritated, the author tried to cover his ears and sleep further, but the yelling continued and became louder. At some point, there was no escape from the frantic "Mama, mama, maaaaaaaaa!!" that was happening right outside the author's window. He imagined going out there and telling this annoying child to keep quiet, or at least telling the child's mother to keep her child quiet!

"How can the mother allow this child to keep yelling like this?!" the author thought.

As the author stepped out, there was no child to be seen. Confused, tired, and annoyed, but determined to tell this child to keep quiet, the author looked around to identify the culprit. But, there was nobody out there.

Then, the "Mama, mama, maaaaa!!" came again, and the author could trace the sound... to a green parrot sitting in the tree!

Instantly, all the annoyance and irritation dissolved and were replaced by laughter and curiosity.

No "others"

Now, let's think about this. First, the author created a story in his head about an annoying child and how the careless mother of this child is not responding to her child's cries. This fictional story created even more irritation for the author.

However, the story the author created in his head was completely false and not equal to reality! It was merely an idea!

Secondly, the author entertained the idea that the apparent child and his mother are the "cause" of his annoyance and irritation. But, they did not even exist! 

Let's consider these two points, and let's reflect on our own lives. 

How often do we create fictional stories, or ideas - that are not in line with reality - and then allow these ideas to make us unhappy?

And secondly, the apparent "others" that we so often say are the cause of our unhappiness, are these "others" really what we believe them to be? 

Let's check up!

Mother Nature is a great teacher. We simply have to be willing to learn.

Related articles on this blog:

Everything is possible - November 2024
Limitations by identity - July 2024
Freedom in Being - March 2024