Mirrors!

When you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you really see?  Do you see an image of who you really are or do you see an image of what you wish you were?  Are you strong or do you wish you were strong?
The mind plays tricks on us constantly, sometimes making us believe something is true, other times, not so much.
We as humans have always been tribal, from Cro-Magnon to Neanderthal to Homo Sapiens. We stick with our selected group that we are born into, because to do otherwise almost always has negative outcomes. Not that being tribal doesn't have it's negatives also.
I guess the point I am trying to make is that I don't think we will ever change, and that lack of ability to mentally change from tribal to communal will be the downfall of us all.
Pretty much all of us have tribal instincts, but many are able to have communal instincts as well. We watch out for our neighbors if we like them, but try to do them harm if we don't.
I am in a conundrum, because many times I completely understand mankind yet am lost as to why they think the way they do.
Man is so easily led by biases, thoughts that only mean something to you but are manipulated by others into making you think you are part of something much larger. The hardest part of being a person like myself is that we see beyond our biases. We don't allow ourselves to be overtaken by fear of the unknown, we relish it. We learn to appreciate others and what they bring to the table.
My favorite mantra has always been " each person who comes into your life comes into it for a reason, good or bad,  but is a piece of your life puzzle. If you exclude that person before you discover what part of your puzzle they are, you've lost a piece you will never regain". Think about that before you ridicule that homeless person, it could be you. Think about that when you ridicule anyone because of their situation in life. IT COULD BE YOU! You are not perfect, neither am I. But you can be communal instead of tribal. The world would be a much better place if you would try.
May peace be upon you!
dennismoconnor.com