The Union of Opposites
The power of words is immense. I watched Matthew McConaughy bridge the blue and red world, using one word on 60 minutes this week. The word was “responsibility”! It set a whole new tone and honored the beliefs and thoughts of both sides! You should watch it. 60 minutes from Sunday July 30th! In this short segment, Matthew explained the obvious about a great divide in the US, “control” of guns. He shared subtleties about the use of this word “responsibility”. He explained information about the hidden agendas that we avoid acknowledging in our quick sudden sound war bites! One word changed the dynamic, one word has the power to begin a different conversation — -if we believe we can! (Before I get hate mail about the gun war — know this about me, I am an independent voter. This article is not about gun control — it’s about pondering connections — achieving common ground.)
Words influence our mindset and the way we perceive the world. Belief that everything is connected influences us differently than if we do not believe everything is connected. Beliefs are formulated using words and language. We use language to make connections in life. Included in this language dance is the fact that we need to problem solve and resolve conflicts about beliefs that differ. Matthew used words to foster unity, understanding, and empathy to bridge the gap between opposing beliefs. Can we embody this mindset? Can we too use words to foster unity, understanding and empathy to bridge the gap between opposing views and help us embrace the complexity of life? I believe we can bridge these divides. How we label the conflict can create connection with an opposing side. We tend to crave the conflict. The “right and wrong” conflict draws our attention.
One of my favorite characters from Star Wars is Yoda. He is popular worldwide, his wisdom and ability to connect to anyone is a strength! His flaws, stealing Luke Walker’s food in the first movie, are observable, just like ours! So deep was this little green character’s mind, who spoke in our language. Yet his language use was framed in ways that caught our attention. Though these phrases do not reflect that uniqueness, today I focus on an exchange between Luke Skywalker and Yoda. Luke says, “I can’t believe it.” And Yoda replies, “That’s why you fail.” What can we learn from this brief encounter? 8 words! Full of wisdom. Full of power!
At first glance, the words “belief” and “failure” may seem unrelated, but they can be connected through reasoning when considering their opposites: 1. belief and disbelief or doubt 2. Failure and success. We tend to focus on the obvious meanings in our might makes right polarized world, we argue over the subtle, and ignore the hidden connections. Let’s explore 4 concepts linking 2 of Yoda’s words: Belief and failure.
1. Persistence and Resilience: Belief often provides the motivation and determination to keep going despite obstacles and failures. When we believe in something strongly, we are more likely to persevere through difficult times and setbacks. Failure, on the other hand, tests the strength of our beliefs and pushes us to develop resilience. The connection lies in how belief can be both a driving force and a coping mechanism in the face of failure.
2. Contrast and Balance: The contrast between belief and failure highlights the dynamic nature of life. Success and failure are two sides of the same coin, and they need each other for meaning and significance. Without failure, success loses its value, and without belief, failure loses its impact. The connection between the opposites and the belief in the connection is what gives life its depth and complexity.
3. Yin and Yang: In Eastern philosophy, the concept of Yin and Yang represents opposing forces that are interconnected and interdependent. Belief and failure can be seen as analogous to Yin and Yang. They are complementary aspects of human existence. Failure can lead to renewed belief, and belief can lead to overcoming failure. This interplay between opposites creates a balanced and harmonious existence.
4. Growth and Evolution: Belief and failure are intricately connected to personal growth and the evolution of ideas. As we encounter failures, we adapt our beliefs to accommodate new knowledge and experiences. In turn, our beliefs influence the way we approach challenges and learn from failures, creating a continuous cycle of growth and evolution.
What do we have to learn from Yoda, this wise character embroiled in conflicts? And from these words: “I can’t believe it.” And Yoda replies, “That’s why you fail.”
We learn it is okay to be human, we are still learning and growing, growing into deeper wisdoms. There is a depth to the words we use-to the dance of life in which we share language and work through conflicts, both internal and external, individually and collectively. What grabs our attention is the conflict, the obvious! Returning to Matthew’s explanation on 60 minutes, Individuals and “tribes” react to the word “control” through differing perspectives without acknowledging the invisible connections that exist within the words we use. We fail because we lack a focus on our connections, the invisible depths we avoid spending time sorting through.
It is the depth of Yoda’s words we must explore. They are attention grabbing language phrases that cause us to pause, ever so slightly and engage a deeper thought, a deeper perspective. We can find common ground — we can and are connected despite our differences! We fail to recognize each other as the same species, humans with flaws.
What if we got to know our opponents, allowed ourselves to seek connections in the opposing parts of our world? Consider reading Originals by Adam Grant. I was filled with hope that we can find ways to overcome our differences — and maintain our beliefs. It feels so oppositional to think that nonconformists move the world. He shared how a woman’s idea required well over 20 years to come to fruition…..but it did. How does this relate? Remember, belief and failure are intertwined on this profound journey of life. She failed and failed yet believed…and eventually found success! There are joys in the dance of connecting opposites! Once we can make connections between the obvious, the subtle and the invisible, we can move the world, we can move through the conflict and manage the next seed of conflict the last one created! We can dance instead of battle.
Embracing unity within opposites requires a shift in our perspective. Instead of viewing opposites as separate and conflicting entities, we can acknowledge their interconnectedness. Failure can lead to success, enemies can become friends, and we can play with life’s oppositions, if we believe that to be true. How long it takes may depend upon how big our ego is. In the same 60 minutes show, Charles Barkley shared that he and Michael Jordan no longer connect because of words. We need an ego, we need recognition as individuals and separateness from others, yet we need others to live. Life, the constant flow between ”I” and “We”, a constant flow between healing and harm, joy and sorrow, pain and pleasure. We cannot truly know one side without the other.
Countries the US has been at war with, Great Britain, Mexico, Spain, Germany, Japan. We are now friends. If Matthew McConaughy can bridge and explain a divide with one word, so can we. Try it. Examine your beliefs deeply. What are the obvious, subtle and invisible components that contribute to our failure to “cross the divide”. Are the battles focused solely on power and control or solutions to move us forward? Perhaps it is the war that supports us in seeing deeper perspectives — to connect to. The conflict prolonged may cause us to become weary of the obvious perspectives we hold. Reminds me of Copernicus!
Yoda would say, “Embrace the force of unity within all things, you must.” I call myself “Yo-Duh”. Duh because I am still working at “getting it”, “Duh” — a slang word for ignorant. I must call myself out for I have not mastered the subtle and invisible components yet. I’m not giving up, for I believe all failures lead to eventual success! Whispers of Onenessã surround me.
If you are struggling with unworthiness, the need to forgive and replace hatred with love reach out to trusted sources. Become free of what weighs on you. Kathy Mortensen: Sound Bowl Practitioner; Minister; Intuitive Guide; Master Reiki Practitioner; Certified Master Practitioner of Mental and Emotional Release®. Email: whenbelongingshines2021@gmail.com. Website: https://whenbelongingshines.godaddysites.com/
