Inspiration to care..?

by Introspection 7 Replies latest watchtower medical

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  Introspection

  Okay this may sound kind of strange, but I figure it may be a little safer to post in this forum.. Basically, I'm wondering how I might overcome periods of apathy. Mind you, I'm not bipolar or anything, but sometimes I feel more compassionate toward others, other times I'm just kind of "ehh." I guess this sounds normal, but it bothers me when I feel that way. Oh well, any thoughts?

  "It is not so much that you use your mind wrongly--you usually don't use it at all. It uses you. This is the disease." -Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now
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  larc

  Introspection,

  I think that you introspect too much. I don't how it is for you, but I know why I don't always feel compassion. Sometimes, it is because I have other things on my mind like mowing the grass or fixing a stoped up toilet. There are other times when people are on my mind, but I don't feel compassion. The reason is that sometimes people are a royal pain in the ass.
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  Introspection

  So I've been told Larc, even back in the day when I was still studying they said I think too much, (of course most here will have a different take on that) and frankly I don't think I thought much at all back then. Now it's true people can be a pain, but I guess I was thinking of people in general and not specific individuals or anything...

  "It is not so much that you use your mind wrongly--you usually don't use it at all. It uses you. This is the disease." -Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now
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  larc

  Intro,

  It is much easier to have compassion for people in general that it is to have compassion for flesh and blood real people who are right there in front of you, warts, body odor, bad breath and all.

  Some of the people who promoted great social causes for the good of "mankind" had terrible personal relationships with those closest to them.
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  Introspection

  I suppose it is just a basic fact that I need to accept. Maybe this is a kind of goody-goody conditioning that prompts me to ponder how I might change things while I barely acknowledge that it's just the way it is right now..

  "It is not so much that you use your mind wrongly--you usually don't use it at all. It uses you. This is the disease." -Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now
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  larc

  Intro,

  The Serenity Prayer, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
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  Introspection

  Hmm, Ex-JWs anonymous? That is from 12 step right? It is a nice thought, appreciate it.

  "It is not so much that you use your mind wrongly--you usually don't use it at all. It uses you. This is the disease." -Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now
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  Prisca

  What a lovely chat between you two gentlemen. Mind if I share a thought?

  (pulls up a chair)

  If you're worried about feeling apathetic towards people you care about, Intro, perhaps try to think about some quality that you like about them.

  In regards to people in general, think about some person that has done something you admired - Ghandi, Dali Lama, a hero in your local area, for example.

  When you focus on a person's good qualities, you may realise how many other things about them you like too.

  It's very easy to feel apathetic at times, particularly when we are feeling low inside. As you said, Intro, these feelings pass, so don't stress too much over them. You have plenty of other nice qualities that make you shine!