Context
Context is the full picture or at least the more full picture. The widest viewpoint possible.
A fork on its own is nothing. A fork with a plate of food is something.
Same with context. The issue, or the information on its own is nothing.
We can get upset at somebody or a situation, but often stepping back and looking at the fuller picture, there are reasons on why that person is upsetting us. Or there is a reason why a situation is bothering us. When we step back and put the problem/irritation/frustration into big-picture context we often find out things along the following lines:
- The person was not intending to offend
- The situation is not as big of a deal as we thought
- The problem is an opportunity
- The problem may lay within us, not the external factor
The point here is, try and apply some context to your issues/problems/frustrations. You will often find some comfort and understanding in just applying context.
The poet/songwriter Bob Dylan offered some great advice on his song "The Times They Are A Changin". He said, "Don't criticize what you can't understand". If something does not make sense to you or you do not understand something or someone, maybe try not criticizing until you have developed some understanding/context.
A fork on its own is nothing. A fork with a plate of food is something.
Same with context. The issue, or the information on its own is nothing.
We can get upset at somebody or a situation, but often stepping back and looking at the fuller picture, there are reasons on why that person is upsetting us. Or there is a reason why a situation is bothering us. When we step back and put the problem/irritation/frustration into big-picture context we often find out things along the following lines:
- The person was not intending to offend
- The situation is not as big of a deal as we thought
- The problem is an opportunity
- The problem may lay within us, not the external factor
The point here is, try and apply some context to your issues/problems/frustrations. You will often find some comfort and understanding in just applying context.
The poet/songwriter Bob Dylan offered some great advice on his song "The Times They Are A Changin". He said, "Don't criticize what you can't understand". If something does not make sense to you or you do not understand something or someone, maybe try not criticizing until you have developed some understanding/context.
Thought provoking post, as usual. Great analogy of the fork. Self control is something I keep thinking about and self control fits in really good with understanding context. Taking the time to step back from the whole picture and see a situation in context can prove to be difficult but must be done.
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