Senseless arbitrariness
Have you observed your judgments lately? Did you stop for a moment and contemplate how you qualify your approach with people, things and events? Have you been fair or selfish with its execution?
The funny yet pitiful thing about us humans is we are extremely delimited by our own arbitrariness; our horizons are stifled and late do we realize how small a world we have made out of life. In our interactions with everyday living there’s within us hidden inclinations that we unconsciously abide. With each encountered events we blindly follow rules which purports to hold an ideal truth and a sense of righteousness; however, upon deep examination, we can find that the beliefs we hold carries no reasonable precedence other than prejudice. We are living in a social system where dominance is the norm; in an individual level, such is manifested in ones ego.
History has made a repetition of this error and as time advances it evolves more in senselessness than reformation. Its roots can be linked to our natural instincts. Being social animals we seek affiliation to acquire the security of belonging. As a consequence we allow ourselves to be indoctrinated with beliefs—oftentimes obsolete and ridiculously preserved under the guise of reverence—that serves as our criterion in distinguishing what’s “of us” and “not of us.”
The problem with such antiquated norms was that it’s based on biased and egotistic judgments legislated by people of influence who are more driven by ignorance and selfishness than by logical and sensible consideration.
Senseless arbitrariness has crippled the lives of millions of people throughout the history of mankind. Its many forms have caused disturbing atrocities and have authored many wars and conflicts. If only people knew that we are made of the same fabric, that we are all subject to the same vulnerabilities such of pain and destruction, of sickness and deterioration, of decrepitude and death, maybe we could have worked together to further the well-being of our kind.
I guess (and I hope I’m gravely mistaken) we are made to destroy ourselves. In the books of the past as well as the journals of the present, this seemingly debilitating attitude has prospered in every cultures of man. We assume arbitrariness when it comes to the color of the skin, or to religious affiliation, or to financial status, or to academic achievement, or to gender, and to everything that is not in tune with our venerated standards! Are we not stupid or what? We shun our own kind under the illusion of our deranged imminence.
Furthermore, in an effort to gain a sense of importance and recognition, we try to differentiate ourselves from others, we form a mental barrier of distinction from which we seek to elevate ourselves. Its objective manifestations are then formed—caste, partisan, clique, fraternities, clubs and many more that secures our egoistically driven distinctiveness.
This has circumstantial effect on our judgments. Instead of perusing logical on logical consideration we resort on our prejudices. Observe yourself when you’re interacting with people. Deep within your thoughts you are already making a snap judgment about the person whom you’re interacting with; and with the dictum of your prejudicial inclinations you response by either playing superior or on being on the defensive. If you think he’s below your standards you will assume a pejorative approach, therefore you will act authoritative. On the other hand, if his laurel is bigger than yours then your arbitrariness will circle around envy and cynicism—much of gossips and jealousy come from this source.
What good can we obtain from this habitual measurement of a person’s worth? Does our arbitrariness contribute to our growth and well-being? I’m pretty much in doubt because this senseless arbitrariness blurs our view of the bigger picture. When we are looking at someone we are also looking at our self; we have no distinction whatsoever with the other person because we all of the same form. If we differentiate ourselves from one another we are inviting the necessity of conflict.
Much as I want to be positive I can’t negate the fact that we are living in a very precarious generation. One in which we have the ultimate technology to ensure the destruction of all living creatures on this planet. And the trigger can be very simple—arbitrariness!
“ To customs and beliefs, the very ones we hold sacred, sociology ruthlessly attaches the adjective ‘arbitrary’. “
-Aron, Raymond Claude Ferdinand
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By Ideas With A Kick on November 8th, 2009
I like your concept of arbitrariness. What I find part sad part amusing is that we tend to be very confident in a lot of arbitrary judgments. We think we know best ant they are a reflection of reality, when they are mostly a reflection of our core beliefs, part of which are really screwed up.
Eduard
Ideas With A Kick´s last blog ..Personal development readers vs. personal development doers
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 8th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
We have to wake up from our arbitrariness. It blinds us from seeing the truth. I agree with you here Eduard.
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By Rocky | ROCKONOVA.COM on November 8th, 2009
I definitely agree, Walter. Most people today hold on to their beliefs too tightly and my goal is to loosen people’s ideas through discussion and my own personal habits.
Rocky | ROCKONOVA.COM´s last blog ..the first thing i do when i wake up on most mornings
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 8th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Keep up with your goal Rocky. Believe me you will see things clearly if you let your arbitrariness at bay.
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By Ryan on November 8th, 2009
Great take Walter. Judging is a human past-time. If people don’t add a label to something or someone, it’s not worth our attention.
Like you said we are all one. Same substance, same stuff. Holding the thought of this Truth can help to break the arbitrary mindset and allow humanity to see themselves in their neighbor, and their neighbor in themselves.
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 8th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
We must watch our judgments, they have consequences in our life. The more we are prejudicial the more we are far from seeing the truth. I’m happy that you can see.
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By Nadia - Happy Lotus on November 8th, 2009
Hi Walter,
Brilliant post! You are so right. People are so rooted in being judgmental, they are not aware of what they are doing. The appearance of separation is a very powerful illusion since in reality there is no such thing as duality.
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..My November Dose of Tough Love
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 8th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Always nice to share your thoughts Nadia. We should be aware that we are brothers and sisters, not as separated by class.
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By askcherlock on November 8th, 2009
I read once that we change a bit with every new person we meet. I find that intriguing. I also fear that we do limit ourselves by not being open to the exploration of that with which we do not understand.
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 8th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
It is our nature to be wary of what we don’t understand. But we must rather explore the unknown than rot in ignorance.
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By Adventures of The Fearless on November 8th, 2009
Hey there Walter, interesting thoughts
The world is certainly a reflection of ourselves
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By Brownbelle on November 8th, 2009
Hey Walter, thanks for commenting on my blog. I’ve read a few of your most recent posts and they’re very thought provoking. I’ll definitely be back!
Brownbelle´s last blog ..The Road Not Taken
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Thanks Brownbelle, nice to see you interested.
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By izzat aziz on November 8th, 2009
be confident with our idea is a must, but it not always right.. try to open a bit and let other idea pour in, only with that way you can create ultimate ideas..:D
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Correctly stated Izzat, let us not be selfish in believing only ourselves.
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By Paul on November 8th, 2009
Walter,
A great post with an excellent view on our behaviours. It’s an interesting take on the thought that we are made to destroy ourselves. Is that all part of our evolution? Now that really does intrige me!
Regards
Paul
Paul´s last blog ..How to give yourself credit
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I hope its not part of our evolution, but by the state of our present, it seems it is.
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By Lana - DreamFollowers Blog on November 8th, 2009
This a great article, Waletr. Once we realize that illusion of separation is juist that -only an illusion, life gets so much better, easier and more fullfilling.
Lana – DreamFollowers Blog´s last blog ..Why Positive Thinking Doesn’t Work
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
We are one and we are all the same despite our seeming differences. But most of us harbor division rather than unity, very sad indeed.
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By Wonderful on November 8th, 2009
Walter, I hope that we as a society don’t self destruct, but I think there is something to be said about self awareness. Many people just rush through life, through the days, without even realizing what impact they are making on others, as well as how others are impacting them. I would like to think it should be necessary to reflect on oneself…I find that when I analyze my emotions and behaviors, I learn more than I would’ve if I ignored them.
Wonderful´s last blog ..Weekend Recap
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
The problem with most people is that they are unaware of themselves, they could not simply see that effects of their actions. This world operates on blindness.
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By Gabe | freebloghelp.com on November 8th, 2009
I can definitely appreciate everyone’s uniqueness. Although I don’t necessarily judge people per se, I do love learning about our differences.
Gabe | freebloghelp.com´s last blog ..Six degrees of site separation
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I believe that you have gained awareness of yourself. You have acquired an important possession in this life.
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By Eric | Eden Journal on November 8th, 2009
You have some good observations. We would all do well to keep an open mind when meeting other people. You often hear how first impressions are made in the first 30 seconds. We should all make a better effort to give it much more time for thst first impression to settle in. Doing so would allow us to be slower to label, and less judgmental.
Eric | Eden Journal´s last blog ..The Open Mind Test – Part 2: A Great Teacher, A Little Philosophy, and A Whole Lot of Love
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Most of us are blind Eric. We follow a system within our minds that guides our action, and we are not even aware of this manipulation. Let us observe our thoughts.
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By Kaushik on November 8th, 2009
Great post. Dogma is the edge of our identification with thought, and history is rife with examples of how destructive dogma is. Thanks.
Kaushik´s last blog ..Getting into the flow of Awakening
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Unless we relinquish our dogmas, conflicts will always be inevitable.
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By SK on November 8th, 2009
Walter . . great post!
I love reading your insights.
On another note, you got the replies working!!!
Your comments are much easier to follow now.
Awesome.
SK´s last blog ..Elmo on Google Homepage
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I owe it to your SK. Thank you VERY much.
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SK Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
My pleasure!
SK´s last blog ..Hulk in the Rain – Competition Winner 
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By askcherlock on November 8th, 2009
Askcherlock has given you the Best Blog award. Your insights warrant many visits for those who enjoy powerful and well-written content. Please stop by our blog to pick up your award.
askcherlock´s last blog ..We Are Honored…
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Hey, that’s great. Thank you very much.
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By John Samuel on November 8th, 2009
Often because of this senseless arbitrariness, we miss important things said by people whom we speculated as low. Only if we are able to overcome this, the humanity will benefit
John Samuel ´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Firefox! It’s 5 years of Happy Browsing
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
If only people open their eyes, they can see the beauty each of us have.
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By Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord on November 8th, 2009
I just read your post, and then AskCherlock’s response, and was fairly blown away. I love the idea that every new person we meet changes us a little bit. I definitely embrace the idea that I am everyone I encounter. I think I’ve manifested them into my immediate realm to teach me more about me. Sometimes that’s through interactions in which I am critical. (Yikes!) Unfortunate, but true.
As Nadia said, it’s quite possible that separation is an illusion and that we are all one. What a different world it would be if everyone embraced that concept!
Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..The Ultimate Unknown
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 11th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
When we’re born, we are one with everything else. We see everything as part of us. Until the mind sets in and differentiates us from everything. We have to rediscover that oneness, because it is where we belong.
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By Tess The Bold Life on November 8th, 2009
I do believe we are all one. Open heart + open mind = lack of judgement
Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..If I were King or Queen…I’d Change Our World
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 11th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Open heart and open mind are seldom for people to incorporate in their lives. You are blessed to have embraced it.
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By Anne Lyken-Garner on November 8th, 2009
I think if only we worked on ourselves to better the person we are, we won’t need to look down on others for validation of how ‘good’ we are.
We would like who we are. This confidence would therefore point us towards the worth in others.
Anne Lyken-Garner´s last blog ..How to Get Your Man To Behave This Christmas
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
You’re right Anne, part of us have insecurities which is one of the contributors of our arbitrariness. We need to be aware of this and work hard to eliminate this useless propensity.
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By Joan Adams on November 8th, 2009
We do learn from each other, and we receive the messages that we need the most, if we open our eyes and our hearts to all. Interesting and thoughtful post.
Joan Adams´s last blog ..Tips for Senior Living
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Most of us are blind to see the beauty of others, instead, we always look for faults. This should not be since we are all brothers and sisters.
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By J on November 8th, 2009
We’re all linked. That’s why I can’t kill bugs. Even spiders who live in my bathroom.
J´s last blog ..Oh HELL Nose
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 13th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
At least you value life.
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By Jannie Funster on November 8th, 2009
I must say I have become very sensitive to listening to my judgements of others.
I think I’ve gotten pretty “good” but just yesterday I found myself saying things under my breath like “idiot drivers” and such. So I have to constantly listen to and monitor my thoughts like those.
I guess every body we meet really is a life teacher. We are all so connected. We must strive overall for compassion.
Jannie Funster´s last blog ..First Pictures With My New iPhone 3GS
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Walter Adena Cabelis Reply:
November 13th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Being aware of our self is not an easy task to accomplish. But practice makes perfect, after all, achievement comes by small efforts.
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