"Thou wast the cause,
and most accurs’d effect"
Richard III
Act I, Scene ii
Every thought, emotion and action has a consequence. The consequences of these thoughts, emotions and actions affect others as much as they loop back and affect us in return.
We are accountable for the quality of relationships others have with us.
When we forget this basic law of cause and effect, we become the victim of our own ignorance and the victim of the people and events around us.
The sense of victimization feeds on itself. The only way to turn the tide on this vicious cycle of self destruction is to focus on how we affect the world we inhabit.
Socrates used his considerable, rhetorical skills to force people to think through the logical consequences of their thinking and behaviour.
Sir Isaac Newton taught us that for every action there is an equal and opposite counter-reaction.
The seed and harvest principle is embedded in the ancient principle “for whatever we sow, we shall also reap” (Galatians 6:7-8).
The same wisdom is at the root of the Buddhist belief that “we are the source of our own suffering”.
This is an invitation to awaken. Awaken to how we choose our attitude. Awaken to why we choose a certain response to any person or situation. This is not a fuzzy thing, it is a tough journey of self awareness, a means by which we can live successfully.
Our thoughts, feelings and actions shape the reactions others have. There may be a lag effect but everything we do returns to us. Call it karma or call it consequence. It is inevitable.
Tragedies such a terrorist attack, a life threatening illness or disease, a terrible accident, a natural disaster, the loss of a loved one - are things that are clearly beyond our control, but our response to these situations and challenges is entirely in own hands.
If we are not prepared, we do this to ourselves. Being prepared does not avoid the crisis, but it avoids perpetuating new crises's (created by ourselves) beyond the one that is put in front of us.
The same is true for opportunities. A loving relationship, a breakthrough idea, a healthy decision, a lucky break, are all gifts that we recieve and how we respond to them makes the difference. Some people feel others have 'all the luck' that may be the case, but readiness is all.
The law of cause and effect has to be obeyed, if not - we pay dearly for it.
And now remains that we find out
the cause of this effect, or rather say
the cause of this defect, for this effect
defective comes by cause; Thus it remains
and the remainder thus.
Hamlet
Act II, Scene ii
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