When was the last time you were repulsed? What caused that repulsion? In life, I've rarely been repulsed. I grew up in a family that was generally positive and accepting of what life presented. Hence, there was little repulsion of any kind and lots of acceptance instead. Yet, recently I found myself repulsed in a situation that surprised and concerned me as repulsion doesn't set us up to be as loving or accepting as we can be. Why repulsion and what do you do with repulsion?
In some ways, I suppose, repulsion wakes us up to situations that require change--the repulsion tells us that something is not right and the situation is not necessarily natural or positive. When this kind of repulsion occurs, we can use our feelings to act in ways that make positive change, ways that remove or change the object of repulsion. We can also choose to not revisit the object of revulsion. For example, I can think of a frightening and repulsive corner of a local city--the corner is filled with life's most challenged situations--situations are that are dirty, sick, violent and frightening. Some are working to change this situation. Many are worried, frightened and repulsed by it, and many also simply avoid the scene. And there are repulsive situations that we simply have to come to terms with--situations that repulse us for reasons we know as well as reasons we don't know--these repulsions call us to dig deep and figure out why we're repulsed and what we can do about it.
With regard to the repulsion, I experienced, I realized that rather than a desperate situation that I can't do anything about, this repulsion is a call to act--it doesn't have to be this way. There are ways to better the situation and while the repulsive aspects will not be erased, they can be greatly mitigated with a bit more insight, insight gained by embracing the situation in full, and acting for positive change.
The repulsion, in part, has been created by neglecting some actions which may contribute to betterment--actions that set the stage for more acceptable, pleasing behaviors and sights than repulsive behaviors and sights. I can do that. I can meet that challenge, and rather than repulsion, I may gain a sense of pride and see the beauty in the situation instead. Let's see.