UNDERSTANDING SYMBOLS

Words are symbols, and they make communicating with one another very helpful. But we attach emotions and meanings to words that are unique to us; we may have a slightly different interpretation or perception of a word, or the meaning could be entirely different form one person to the next.

A simple example of this is the word “red.” There can be subtle emotional attachments to this word, both good and bad. At school, red markups to your work could mean you answered a question incorrectly. If a business operates “in the red,” that means it’s losing money. A bull charges when it sees red. Roses are ted, and it’s the color most associated with love. In the 1950’s, it was an insult in most circles to call someone a “red.” Today, it is the color of the Republican Party: We might say, “That’s a red state.”

The color red is a simple example. But what about words such as “death,” “divorce,” “love,” “god',” “enlightenment,” or “freedom?” When communicating with one another, words can trigger certain emotional responses that are quite unintentional. That’s why my dad teaches, “I am responsible for what I say, but I am not responsible for what you hear.”

Practice

When you’re speaking with someone, you’re sharing a line of communication. But depending on our own point of view, you might be intending to say something different form what the other person hears. Be cognizant of words as symbols, and notice any emotional attachments you may have to certain words. This reminds you to not manufacture stories and also to not take things personally.

Living a Life of Awareness

~ Don Miguel Ruiz Jr.