One lesson we can learn from the forces in the universe
is balance. You might think of it as a Yin-Yang thing, but I believe it goes
much deeper than that.
One of the things that came to me today when pondering the
subject of balance and compensation is advice that comes from several different
sources that I've gained much insight from. It is quite simple in theory, but
it takes discipline combined with discernment to put into practice. In order to
achieve extraordinary feats, success is dependent upon first eliminating your
barriers. Some of our barriers are physical and tangible, but others are
mental, spiritual or social. In the case where those barriers are inherent or
impossible to eliminate, the next strategy is compensation. Compensation may
come from within or we may have to rely on a "higher power" - either
a mentor or from God. Each one of us is unique in our innate abilities,
limitations, balance between our abilities and limitations and our means of
compensation, and each of us relies on different methods of compensation or
what some refer to as coping strategies. Whatever the case may be, since we are
all different, what works for one person may or may not work for another
person, so these are some things to keep in mind when trying to assist or give
advice to someone else or in the case where someone is trying to help by
offering advice.
Our balance between abilities and limitations is rarely (if
ever) 50/50. The imbalance may be somewhere like 40/30 or 20/70 or something
like that for example, and the compensation will therefore need to be 30% and
10% respectively.
If this is starting to seem incoherent rambling, let me
explain a few details to clear up the murky waters.
Abilities come in the form of talents (that we've worked
hard to develop), inherent gifts (that we were naturally born with), and
principles that we either acquired through childhood development and/or mature
decisions or through experience. These are the attributes that lead to success.
Limitations are the barriers that we either place upon
ourselves or have been placed in our way by other people. This also the baggage
that naturally weighs us down through negativity, traumatic experiences, lack
of confidence or other intangible, yet absolutely real conditions. Other
barriers include physical and mental handicaps that exist regardless of any
attempts to eliminate them, though some of the effects may be reduced or
canceled out through compensation.
Compensation is a deliberate or subconscious method used to
fill in the gaps where your abilities run short. Compensation is often good,
but is often ineffective. Sometimes compensation can be detrimental to our
progression or may be harmful to others or to our relationships, depending on
what types of compensation are used and what is at stake. Compensation has to
come from somewhere, so it sometimes comes at a price that drains us of
resources that we could have otherwise used toward developing our abilities or the
compensation comes from an external source, relying upon others and weakening
their reserves.
Eliminating barriers often requires the help of others or
temporarily compensation from within, in order to have the strength, courage or
knowledge necessary to develop positive attitudes and rewire our neural
connections to permanently change behaviors. Think of it in terms of building a
bridge. A bridge doesn't just appear out of nowhere. It starts with weaker and
less efficient methods or workarounds until the permanent structure is complete
and thus the barrier is eliminated.
So, what do we do once we've eliminated those barriers and
become successful in our areas of weakness? One might think that we could or
should rise above the rest of the populous to dominate. This is erroneous
because then a negative attitude toward others (that of feeling superior or
desiring to dominate) becomes a liability - a limitation, so to speak. I've
witnessed what I call "intellectual implosion" happen with some
people and with others I have seen how pride has been the downfall of others.
Whatever the case, a person reaches a point where they feel they no longer need
to improve or they no longer need God or they feel superior to others and treat
those less fortunate as peasants or foolish. They forget that at some time in
their lives (and even at present) they have needed compensation from external
sources. At this point, a person can go one of two directions: 1) Be humbled
and genuinely elevate others through efforts of compensation. Teach, mentor,
financially sustain and actively help others because they know that we become
stronger as a society when more people are successful. 2) The person can pursue
dominance. Token donations to the poor are used as leverage, but otherwise this
person fails to acknowledge where he/she came from and feels fully entitled to
any and all riches, accolades and distinction - in other words: power.
What do we gain from this? First, we must understand that
the world is unfair. People are going to abuse their positions of distinction
and wealth. Some stars shine brighter than others - meaning that some people
develop extraordinary abilities and use them for good (and should rightly be
acknowledged for their strengths) and there are yet others who either hide
their talents or waste their gifts or abuse them to do evil. Some people have
riches who do not deserve them. Truly, that is their barrier that stands in the
way of becoming a wonderful human being. Most of us are going to simply be
average. There is nothing wrong with that, however there are ALWAYS ways in
which each of us can break down those barriers or find compensation to liberate
our extraordinary abilities. We can ALL improve and find ways to help elevate
others. No man (or woman) is an island. We are all interdependent and no matter
how far a person ascends up the ladder, there is always the risk of falling.
When a person has abandoned those who have helped that him/her get to that
position, nobody is going to be there to break their fall.
