Jenna- How come people don’t understand people?
This writing was inspired by a text from my mom this morning. She asked me why people don’t understand other people.
This message and question was so eye opening because she is so right. Why don’t we understand each other? Well, most people don’t even try to. I think a lot of people are stubborn to open their minds to new ideas. And I think understanding others is one of these ideas.
I used to see the general idea of things, the bigger picture. The idea of understanding other people was one of these things. I thought, there is no possible way I’ll be able to understand how every different person on this planet lives their life or who they are. And that’s just the problem. I think stubbornness, especially in this case, stems from the idea of fear to begin. A misunderstanding of the process.
My therapist once told me,
“Jenna, I know you trust the process but I need you to try to understand the process.”
This literally opened my eyes to every aspect of my life because it can be applied to anything I do.
But, in this case it can relate to the process of understanding. Understanding those around you. This is also a process and when we hear people talk about understanding others I think we often think about everyone. You will never be able to understand more until you understand less. My therapist said I wasn’t understanding the process because I wasn’t patient. I just wanted it all right away, I was skipping over the building blocks that it takes to get to where I want to go. When it comes to understanding others, start to understand the world around you. Those in your life, who you affect and who affects you.
Everything is a process to achieve more. Humans often chase more money, more stuff, and more fame. But forget to chase more understanding of others, the world, and themselves. These are the things that bring peace… and you can have both. Peace and fortune.
Society tells you to focus on yourself, but society doesn’t tell you how. What a general huge statement to make, humans are so individually complex! Once again, instead of just trusting the process of self focus on discovery, you must try to UNDERSTAND it.
You must learn the building blocks.
And a building block to self understanding is relationships, understanding those around you.
So when my mom asked me this question: Why don’t people understand other people? I would answer like this,
Mom, people don’t understand other people because they think they understand themselves. They TRUST they understand themselves. But if they really were learning to understand themselves they would care about their world, those around them. They would know that in order to truly understand themselves more they would try to understand those around them. They would strive to see how they affect others and how they can affect others. They would learn who they want in their corner and where they truly belong. They would work harder for themselves and for those around them. Maybe they would learn what and who they actually care about. But mom, I think people are afraid and that is ok. I don’t think we can blame because life is all about understanding, it really is. I think we just have to keep sharing our stories to help people understand others. Change doesn’t have to be harsh, maybe we are all just afraid. I am aware those in my life are a reflection of my self love. As I love those in my life and respect them as they respect me and as I respect myself. I also understand people all have their own stories and upbringings. I love how humans are and THAT is my purpose to want to understand others. Because it is interesting, I think everyone’s life is interesting and has meaning that connect to the way they are. And we can all learn from eachother in that sense. Mom, people don’t understand other people because they see it as unworthy, impossible, scary, and they may not understand themselves. This is the best answer I can provide.