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When we dumb ourselves down, we sell ourselves short and lose an opportunity to shed light where it is needed. The ability to go into any social situation and sense the level
of consciousness in that situation is a gift. It enables us to move
considerately in a world that holds people of all levels of awareness.
However, there is a difference between shifting our energy to accommodate
people and dumbing ourselves down to a regrettable degree. Sometimes, when we
get into a particular social situation, we may feel pressure to play it small
in order to fit in. Perhaps everyone is drinking or smoking excessively,
engaging in gossipy small talk, or complaining bitterly about politics. It is
one thing to notice this and modify our expectations and another thing
entirely to join in. When we notice where people are coming from and acknowledge to ourselves that
their energy is not in alignment with ours, we have several choices as to how
to proceed. One viable option is to quietly endure the situation, keeping to
ourselves until it is time to leave. In this way, we take care of our own
consciousness and protect our growth process. Another option is to interact
in a way that honors and pays respect to the people in the group, while
gently attempting to shift the level of consciousness with our input. In
order to do this, we must maintain our own vibration, which means that
joining in by dumbing down is not an option.
When we choose to dumb ourselves down to fit in, we not only sell ourselves
short but we also lose a possible opportunity to influence the situation for
the good of all concerned. Our desire to join in may come from our natural
yearning to feel connected to the people around us. There is no shame in
this, but being able to stand on our own, separate from the crowd, is a
powerful milestone on any spiritual path. It can be difficult in the moment,
but when we arrive on the other side, our integrity intact, we may find ourselves
feeling positively smart. |
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