* Behind Every Label …

Behind every label is …
A need to resolve complexity
A drive to know and understand
An impulse to feel secure in that knowing
A sense of comfort when feeling in control

When we label people however, it brings …
A distancing from the rest of the person’s qualities
A withdrawal from our humanity
Closed-mindedness and stereotyping
This kind of judgment is the precursor to violence and war.

What if we could let go of labeling?
Would we be more accepting of complexities and the unknown?
Be more open to not knowing?
See more clearly what we have in common rather than our differences?
Bring more compassion, kindness and acceptance into our lives?
Get along with our fellow imperfect human beings?

Our brain is built to analyze and filter information. We may not be able to erase labeling from our minds, but we can bring a more mindful awareness to it and its impact on all of our relationships.

Why not bring in this new awareness as you go about your day today 🙂

31 responses to “* Behind Every Label …”

The Presents of Presence

Oct 13, 2014 at 8:18 am

Great post and reminder Val! ♥

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 13, 2014 at 12:51 pm
  
  Thank you Yvonne! Gentle reminders are good for all our souls 🙂
  
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F.G.M.

Oct 13, 2014 at 8:56 am

Ah Val! as Yvonne said, a great post! We tend to label people and it is such a mistake.
Your second stanza is SO true… you have beautifully expressed a very important spiritual truth… our world needs beacons of light like you 🙂 THANK YOU ♥

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 13, 2014 at 12:52 pm
  
  Frederic, thank you. Your words touch my heart. They are full of wisdom and light ❤
  
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den169

Oct 13, 2014 at 9:08 am

A life-changing perspective!

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 13, 2014 at 12:52 pm
  
  Thanks Den. Keep paying it forward ❤
  
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Hariod Brawn

Oct 13, 2014 at 10:15 am

Sometimes, we hear or read words which, whilst they may be understood and appreciated at one level, in fact contain a profundity that may be revealed upon deeper reflection. Your words here Val, are an exceptional example of this.

Hariod. ❤

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 13, 2014 at 12:53 pm
  
  Thank you for sharing this insight Hariod. Brining things from the gross to the subtle is a theme for me right now.
  Val x
  
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  1. Hariod Brawn
    
    Oct 13, 2014 at 12:55 pm
    
    H ❤
    
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Kate @ Did That Just Happen?

Oct 13, 2014 at 10:43 am

Such a great post! I’m working on letting go of my own labels, too!

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 13, 2014 at 12:54 pm
  
  Ah yes Kate. Great insight! Our own labeling of our selves can undermine us and bring inner conflict.
  Val x
  
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Don

Oct 13, 2014 at 11:39 am

Wise words Val. The point you make of our need to be aware of our tendency to label is a good one. The complexity of this tendency is very real and I’m not sure as to whether we can ever cure it, but through a perpetual conscious of it we can manage it being only too aware of its consequences should we allow it to manage us.

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 13, 2014 at 12:57 pm
  
  Thank you Don. Like so many things about being imperfectly human, with awareness, we can be bring out our best and higher self.
  Val x
  
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nrhatch

Oct 13, 2014 at 1:57 pm

Good thoughts. Val.

I don’t need a label.
I am NOT a bottle of wine.

Or a banana.

I Am NOT A Bottle of Wine

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 13, 2014 at 2:13 pm
  
  Love your perspective in this Nancy! Todays, lets not be fruit together.
  Thank you for sharing the link 🙂
  
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Healing Grief

Oct 13, 2014 at 4:37 pm

Becoming conscious of this habit is important. Thanks for the reminder Val, to practice having an open and accepting heart and mind.
Karen

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 13, 2014 at 7:56 pm
  
  Thanks for the affirmation and your wisdom Karen ❤
  
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Tiny

Oct 13, 2014 at 11:21 pm

Great post and a reminder, Val. I’m fairly “allergic” to labeling…it truly closes the mind and feeds intolerance and separation.

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 14, 2014 at 8:45 am
  
  Thanks Tiny! Once we become aware it changes our perspective and how we see humanity. 🙂
  
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LadyPinkRose

Oct 14, 2014 at 10:52 am

Wow, Val, I am stunned at the synchronicity of your post and my life. I’ve been attempting to show my husband when he labels, or assumes, and then projects that onto another person, that filter is filmy and cloudy, and very far from Truth. These discussions are not going over very well, for he does this without even knowing it. When done to me, it hurts. People have such a hard time letting go of labels for in doing so, they would have to see clearly within themselves. Love, Amy

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 14, 2014 at 3:21 pm
  
  Thanks for sharing Amy. Letting go of labeling is especially hard when we also label ourselves… and you are so right Amy. It take a lot of patience and compassion to guide those closest to us.
  Val x
  
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  1. LadyPinkRose
    
    Oct 14, 2014 at 4:06 pm
    
    Thank YOU, Val. A post is coming tomorrow using the very words that came from my hand as I wrote to you. When we label we are projecting those very things we are afraid to see in ourselves. Have a wonderful day, my friend! Love, Amy
    
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    1. Val Boyko
      
      Oct 14, 2014 at 4:09 pm
      
      I love how we inspire and spark off each other 🙂
      “see” you tomorrow 🙂
      
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      1. LadyPinkRose
        
        Oct 14, 2014 at 5:00 pm
        
        I may be putting it on this evening. So either this evening or the morrow. (smile) Love, Amy
        
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DarcSunshine

Oct 14, 2014 at 1:00 pm

Reblogged this on Youth Of A Nation:Bent not Broke and commented:
I couldn’t agree more!

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 14, 2014 at 3:17 pm
  
  Thank you for the reblog ❤
  Val x
  
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  1. DarcSunshine
    
    Oct 20, 2014 at 1:39 pm
    
    Absolutely!
    
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irenedesign2011

Oct 14, 2014 at 2:23 pm

Very good reminder Val. I feel that labels and judgement are close together and I try to avoid both.

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 14, 2014 at 3:22 pm
  
  Thank you for your kind comment Irene ❤ We are all on this journey together.
  
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lorriebowden

Oct 19, 2014 at 6:48 pm

Yes, Val. Yes! ❤

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1. Val Boyko
  
  Oct 19, 2014 at 8:34 pm
  
  So glad that you are here and it resonates with you Lorrie.
  Val x
  
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● About Me

My name is Val Boyko, a dual citizen living near Philadelphia, originally from Scotland.

This blog came to life one morning in 2013. I woke up with these words in my mind: “Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. And find contentment in your Middle Ground.”

Find Your Middle Ground blog started to explore, reflect, ask deep questions, share insights about awakening, and connect with wonderful people like yourself. Thank you for being here and being such an inspiration.