Every time I learn a new life principle
I immediately think of at least
Ten to twenty friends and family of mine
That need the crucial info I now possess
That person really needs to hear this lesson
His life could be much happier than it is
He would then treat me much better than he does
Maybe I’ll get him to understand one day
I could fix the world if they would but listen
I can easily see where they need to change
Why do they refuse to see it themselves
Instead pointing out my faults like hypocrites?
My mom needs to change and so does my dad
My co-workers and boss just cannot see
My children and my friends do not understand
How is it the world can be so stupid and blind?
That ugly witch needs to stop judging others
That piece of dirt needs to stop criticizing
That prideful spirit needs to be humbled
That know-it-all needs to open his eyes
If they would but change, I could be happy
If only they would open their hearts and minds
And stop being so selfish, prideful, and vain
Not seeing the great pain they’re causing to others
Right then, a new dimension suddenly opens
And transports me into a hidden perspective
All of the people I had judged before
Have been replaced by mirrors reflecting my image
We are the same as all of humanity
Any judgement we make about others
Is only a reflection about ourselves
But within ourselves is the last place we look
The best teachers for us are those we hate
The clues to our happiness lie in their faults
They lie in what annoy us the most
They are mirrors to our own weaknesses
They hold the keys to help us change
But nobody really wants to see them
So we cast our judgment at others
Avoiding seeing what we don’t want to change
–Jason Westlake
Mon., November 20, 2006
