Yan, that is a teaching that is unfortunate, but at least it does lead people to not view life through rose- coloured glasses. I've never met a person who feels life is fair. It's sad.
I thought about fairness when I was 14. It bugged me and I shared this with my Mandarin teacher.
She said this, " (There's) No fairness in life. Look at where our heart is placed when we are born. It's lean to one side. In Chinese, biased = 偏心, literally means heart-leaning-to-one-side."
That sealed the fate for me regarding fairness. I grew up then accepting that life is not going to be fair, BUT it doesn't stop me from doing what is "morally" and "ethically" right, to the best I can!.
Yan, I'm so sorry for the late response. I'm still trying to learn Substack. I think it's hard when this issue is seen as cut and dry. I wonder who came up with the concept? It's great to hear your teacher's words didn't jade you from living life responsibly.
Fairness is a notion I grapple with every day. I try to be fair to the students that are on time for class yet know the ones that are late often rely on public transit or have children to deal with before getting themselves to school. I am well aware that many people struggle to keep their head above water while I moan about the price of gas and food and can well afford it in comparison. I'm amazed at how many folks have been subject to one tragedy after another yet still have a reason to live. That hardly seems fair.
Unfortunately, it's life. We get what we're given and our mindset shapes how we deal with the challenges thrown at us - and how we come out the other side.
I enjoyed your newsletter Karen, and it certainly got me thinking!
If we take on the blame game, we achieve nothing - other than feeling bitter and twisted which perpetuates the circle.
I love the fact that this got you thinking Barb. I think no person's issues are too small and that each of us needs to deal with them without comparison to others' hardships. That doesn't mean we shouldn't care about other people's set backs but I just don't think that we should negate or demean what we go through because someone else seems to have it harder.
I try to be compassionate toward others and like you said, some people have it so tough. I find it difficult to comprehend sometimes. It's hard not to feel guilty but it doesn't help anyone so I'm trying to focus more on gratitude, to share the love, and try to be the shining light in someone else's day.
I've noticed that when self-centered people speak of fairness, it usually pertains only when it doesn't infringe on them. Just my observation. Thanks Elizabeth for your wonderful compliment.
Yan, that is a teaching that is unfortunate, but at least it does lead people to not view life through rose- coloured glasses. I've never met a person who feels life is fair. It's sad.
I thought about fairness when I was 14. It bugged me and I shared this with my Mandarin teacher.
She said this, " (There's) No fairness in life. Look at where our heart is placed when we are born. It's lean to one side. In Chinese, biased = 偏心, literally means heart-leaning-to-one-side."
That sealed the fate for me regarding fairness. I grew up then accepting that life is not going to be fair, BUT it doesn't stop me from doing what is "morally" and "ethically" right, to the best I can!.
Yan, I'm so sorry for the late response. I'm still trying to learn Substack. I think it's hard when this issue is seen as cut and dry. I wonder who came up with the concept? It's great to hear your teacher's words didn't jade you from living life responsibly.
Fairness is a notion I grapple with every day. I try to be fair to the students that are on time for class yet know the ones that are late often rely on public transit or have children to deal with before getting themselves to school. I am well aware that many people struggle to keep their head above water while I moan about the price of gas and food and can well afford it in comparison. I'm amazed at how many folks have been subject to one tragedy after another yet still have a reason to live. That hardly seems fair.
Unfortunately, it's life. We get what we're given and our mindset shapes how we deal with the challenges thrown at us - and how we come out the other side.
I enjoyed your newsletter Karen, and it certainly got me thinking!
If we take on the blame game, we achieve nothing - other than feeling bitter and twisted which perpetuates the circle.
I love the fact that this got you thinking Barb. I think no person's issues are too small and that each of us needs to deal with them without comparison to others' hardships. That doesn't mean we shouldn't care about other people's set backs but I just don't think that we should negate or demean what we go through because someone else seems to have it harder.
I try to be compassionate toward others and like you said, some people have it so tough. I find it difficult to comprehend sometimes. It's hard not to feel guilty but it doesn't help anyone so I'm trying to focus more on gratitude, to share the love, and try to be the shining light in someone else's day.
Excellent points, expertly made. Ironic as you say that a self-centered person definition of "fairness" is "more for me."
I've noticed that when self-centered people speak of fairness, it usually pertains only when it doesn't infringe on them. Just my observation. Thanks Elizabeth for your wonderful compliment.