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 🙂
Find Your Middle Ground 
Great post and reminder Val! ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Yvonne! Gentle reminders are good for all our souls 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 ♥
LikeLike
Frederic, thank you. Your words touch my heart. They are full of wisdom and light ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
A life-changing perspective!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Den. Keep paying it forward ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this insight Hariod. Brining things from the gross to the subtle is a theme for me right now.
Val x
LikeLike
H ❤
LikeLike
Such a great post! I’m working on letting go of my own labels, too!
LikeLike
Ah yes Kate. Great insight! Our own labeling of our selves can undermine us and bring inner conflict.
Val x
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
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/
LikeLike
Love your perspective in this Nancy! Todays, lets not be fruit together.
Thank you for sharing the link 🙂
LikeLike
Becoming conscious of this habit is important. Thanks for the reminder Val, to practice having an open and accepting heart and mind.
Karen
LikeLike
Thanks for the affirmation and your wisdom Karen ❤
LikeLike
Great post and a reminder, Val. I’m fairly “allergic” to labeling…it truly closes the mind and feeds intolerance and separation.
LikeLike
Thanks Tiny! Once we become aware it changes our perspective and how we see humanity. 🙂
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
I love how we inspire and spark off each other 🙂
“see” you tomorrow 🙂
LikeLike
I may be putting it on this evening. So either this evening or the morrow. (smile) Love, Amy
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Youth Of A Nation:Bent not Broke and commented:
I couldn’t agree more!
LikeLike
Thank you for the reblog ❤
Val x
LikeLike
Absolutely!
LikeLike
Very good reminder Val. I feel that labels and judgement are close together and I try to avoid both.
LikeLike
Thank you for your kind comment Irene ❤ We are all on this journey together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Val. Yes! ❤
LikeLike
So glad that you are here and it resonates with you Lorrie.
Val x
LikeLiked by 1 person