Compassion Consciousness middle ground Mindfulness Self Discovery Steps on the Journey

* Behind Every Label …

by Val Boyko
Comments 31

labeling a person

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 comments on “* Behind Every Label …”

  1. The Presents of Presence
    October 13, 2014

    Great post and reminder Val! ♥

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. F.G.M.
    October 13, 2014

    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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  3. den169
    October 13, 2014

    A life-changing perspective!

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Hariod Brawn
    October 13, 2014

    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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  5. Kate @ Did That Just Happen?
    October 13, 2014

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

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  6. Don
    October 13, 2014

    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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    • Val Boyko
      October 13, 2014

      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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  7. nrhatch
    October 13, 2014

    Good thoughts. Val.

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

    Or a banana.

    http://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2013/06/08/i-am-not-a-bottle-of-wine/

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  8. Healing Grief
    October 13, 2014

    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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  9. Tiny
    October 13, 2014

    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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  10. LadyPinkRose
    October 14, 2014

    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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    • Val Boyko
      October 14, 2014

      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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  11. DarcSunshine
    October 14, 2014

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

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  12. irenedesign2011
    October 14, 2014

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

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  13. lorriebowden
    October 19, 2014

    Yes, Val. Yes! ❤

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