A number of good people bothered me this morning. These are people forwarding good in multiple directions, people who inspire others and have dedicated their lives to uplifting lives. So why are they bothering me?
I believe I am bothered mostly because of the distance that stands between us, not only geographical distance but distance by circumstance too. Each of these people would likely be a good friend of mine if we lived closer to each other and our lives were not so busy with matters that distance us rather than bring us together.
This sense of annoyance that I feel is mutual--I'm sure that I bother these people too, and they, like me, probably don't know exactly why.
When I am bothered like this, I like to think about the truths this emotion is revealing--why would those people bother me? What is the bottom line?
If I compare this situation with other relationships also distanced by geography and circumstance, but that do not elicit that sense of annoyance, I can see that judgement plays a role. The distant relationships that bother me involve people whose words and response to my work, choices, and lifestyle are filled with judgement, while for those where there is no bother, there is no judgement.
Yet, judgement is not all bad. Sometimes when you see yourself through another's judgemental eyes, you are alerted to aspects of life that require consideration and possibly change.
For example, one of these people has lived life in a much more peaceful, simple way than me--perhaps her judgement is saying, change your perspective--talk less, do more.
Another embraces a life perspective that I don't hold. It's not necessarily a negative perspective, but to me, it seems like a sometimes exclusive perspective.
And the third, similar to the second, appears to embrace a somewhat exclusive perspective of living--not leaving much room for the many ways life can be lived and circumstances that affect people's lives.
On our path in life, we travel with people that impact us in multiple ways. There are those that simply support all you do, and some who always challenge you. Then there are those who walk the path with you all the time, and others who accompany you here and there with no consistent pattern. Those that bother you, prompt you to think and see with greater clarity--they help you right your path in positive directions if you let their impact do that. Onward.