Sunday Sayings – Wise Words

Weekly Proverb –

On Rejection or Abandonment

Ron Mueck Statues

“A false friend’s tongue is sharper than a knife.” – Argentine Proverb

How many times do we voice our disagreement with the boss, our friends or with our family? Do we hold back on arguing, and avoid it at all cost for fear of rejection? Or, do we feel able to voice it, but only in an environment where we can be certain of our own security and status?

When it comes down to it – who can really agree with everyone, anyways? Do you know of someone who can? I don’t.

We might fear being rejected or even abandoned and sometimes compensate in order to overtly agree with someone else’s opinion, even if it is contrary to ours!!

Why do we do this? Is it due to politeness, insecurity, or fear of negative judgement?

“I think that every new person I meet, will automatically like me.”

If you firmly believe this, you will most likely suffer with a lot of rejection and disappointment in life. Just ask yourself: Do you like every person that you meet? It is natural to be drawn to some folk, more than others.

Alle fuglar er ikkje haukar (somme er berre gaukar)

” All birds cannot be hawks (some are just cuckoos). “

– Scandinavian saying

Everyone experiences some kind of rejection in their life. It is impossible to eradicate all rejection completely, and as much as folks think they understand that not everyone, is going to love or accept you, rejection is still difficult for most of us, to hear.

Acceptance that rejection is just another normal facet of life, is preferable.

Perhaps we should keep the following saying in mind:

Ivar Aasen, the father of New Norwegian language, summed it up succinctly:

Til lågs åt alle kan ingen gjera – “No one can please everyone”

Trying to please everyone else can be a health hazard

Weekly Quote- Confucius

Finally, Confucius gets right to the point, bringing a dose of reality with his advice on our deep seated fears:

“When you have faults,

do not fear to abandon them

― Confucius

Proverbial Thursday

Several years ago, I created ‘Proverbial Thursday’ on my blog, which quickly morphed into Proverbial Friday. Now due to a new Photographic Blog Challenge commencing soon on Fridays, I have created Sunday Sayings.

Sunday Sayings give more time for deeper contemplation on the words and serious discussion on their deeper, sometimes metaphorical, meanings.

Mostly anonymous, sayings come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned.

Do you have thoughts on handling rejection?

Did you find anything worked well for you in dealing with rejection?

I invite you to join in the discussion by leaving a comment on the sayings from this week

Proverbial Friday – Judging

Weekly Quote

Peace of Mind comes from a change in Attitude, NOT a change in circumstances
 - Anon

When we judge or criticize others, we create distance between us, but if we stop judging and analyzing people, we get closer to them.

The Taoists say, ” it is possible to appreciate people for their uniqueness – like you might enjoy a certain song.

You don’t have to analyse and pull it apart.”

Criticism and judging is hammered into us at school, and is particularly good for analyzing literature and scientific thought; however, is much less useful in our everyday life and creates unwanted tension.

If we judge people and situations and complain about others, we sabotage our own peace of mind in that we allow ourselves to be disturbed that things are not as they “should be.” The resultant tension often means we search for a way to control external uncontrollable circumstances. Nurturing  flexibility and acceptance makes it easier to just let things be.

Traditional painted horses from Dalarna in Sweden

Weekly Proverb – Sweden

sweden snow

När man talar om trollen!… (så står de i farstun)

– Swedish Proverb

Translation: When you talk about trolls!… (they stand in the hall).

(When the subject of a conversation unexpectedly shows up/happens.)

What do you think about critical opinion and the Swedish proverb.

Is it relevant to our daily life?

Join in the discussion by leaving a comment below.

Everyone’s opinion is valid.

What is yours?

Proverbial Friday – always Something to Ponder About

Proverbial Thursday – Global Wisdoms

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

Each Thursday, I post a Proverb or Saying and a Quote that I find thought-provoking. 

I hope you think so too.