Why Being Aware is Better Than Being Competitive

 

Many people think that being aware of the situation and the environment is a good thing. They believe that it gives them an edge over others and helps them make better decisions. But is this really true? Or is it just a distorted view of reality that leads to more problems than solutions?

In this blogpost, I will argue that being aware is not a benefit, but a bane. I will show that being competitive and seeking advantage is a flawed strategy that harms both ourselves and others. I will also suggest that the best way to live is to be in the flow of co-creation, sharing the present moment with others in mutual respect and harmony.

The Problem with Being Competitive

Being competitive is a common habit in our modern society. We are taught to strive for success, plan for the future, trust in our sources of information, and hope for the best. We are convinced that we need to win or lose, stay ahead of the competition, and rely on our biases and beliefs.

But this way of living is based on a false premise: that we are separate from each other and from the world. It ignores the fact that everything is interconnected and interdependent, and that every action has consequences. It also overlooks the fact that we are constantly changing and evolving, and that nothing is fixed or permanent.

When we are competitive, we create dissonance and conflict with others. We disregard their needs and feelings, and focus only on our own. We miss out on the opportunities for collaboration and cooperation, and waste our energy on fighting and defending. We also limit our potential and creativity, and settle for less than what we deserve.

The Solution: Being in the Flow

Being in the flow means being aware of the nature of manifest change, and aligning ourselves with it. It means being open to new possibilities and perspectives, and adapting to the changing circumstances. It means being flexible and resilient, and embracing uncertainty and diversity.

Being in the flow also means being in sync with others, and acting in mutual reason. It means being respectful and compassionate, and choosing for the common good. It means being generous and grateful, and sharing our gifts and talents with others.

When we are in the flow, we create resonance and harmony with others. We acknowledge their value and contribution, and support their growth and development. We benefit from their insights and experiences, and enrich our own. We also unleash our potential and creativity, and achieve more than what we imagined.

How to Be in the Flow

Being in the flow is not something that happens by chance or luck. It is something that we can cultivate and practice. Here are some tips on how to do it:

• Be present: Pay attention to what is happening here and now, without judging or resisting it. Be mindful of your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and actions.
• Be curious: Explore your surroundings with wonder and interest. Learn from everything and everyone you encounter. Ask questions and seek answers.
• Be flexible: Accept reality as it is, without trying to control or change it. Adapt to new situations and challenges with ease and grace. Try different things and experiment with new ideas.
• Be respectful: Recognize the dignity and worth of every being. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Listen actively and communicate effectively.
• Be cooperative: Seek common ground and shared goals with others. Work together as a team and leverage each other’s strengths. Celebrate successes and learn from failures.
• Be creative: Express yourself authentically and artistically. Use your imagination and intuition to generate novel solutions. Have fun and enjoy the process.

Conclusion

Being aware is not a benefit, but a bane. It makes us competitive and selfish, which leads to dissonance and conflict with others. Being in the flow is better than being competitive. It makes us cooperative and generous, which leads to resonance and harmony with others.

Being in the flow is not only better for ourselves, but also for others and for the world. It allows us to live well, share joyfully, grow continuously, create abundantly, love unconditionally, serve faithfully, heal holistically, transform positively, evolve consciously, transcend spiritually.

So let us choose to be in the flow today, tomorrow, always.

Masibambisane

There is an ancient story told to me by the oldest and the wisest of our tribe, and it goes something like this:

It was a time before time had forgot, but still I remember it well… The monster that came from the lake was deadly and swift and it nearly killed all the members of my tribe. The strong warriors, the young women and the babes in blankets were its favorite. They were the ones it took first. But perhaps it is best if I start at the beginning.

My story is that of great suffering and pain. Many had died from the venom of the monster from the lake. But it is also one of victory and hope, for in the end we conquered the monster…

Many years ago it happened that one day our village was shocked at the death of one of our strongest warriors. He was in the pride of his life, having fought countless battles and winning them all. He provided well for his family and the rest of the tribe. All the warriors of the region admired his skill with spear and bow, his victory over enemies were praised in song and dance and he was a favourite with the young woman of the village. And then one night he died in his sleep.

He was not the last, for soon it was noticed that other warriors were getting sick and weak. Their wives were to follow and the children that were born of the sick warriors were frail. Many of the children died before they were strong enough to lift a spear. Mothers were dying before their newborn children had stopped sucking from their mother’s breast. It was not only in my village that people were getting sick and dying, but the same was happening all through the land. It was a terrible time and the earth was wet with tears for those who were sick and dying.

The wise men of the country were called together for indaba. For many days and nights they sat around the fire to discuss the curse that was terrorising the villages. Many villagers were called to give testimony to the wise men. Finally the oldest and wisest of all called together the people of the land. It is a monster from the big lake in the middle of the land that was killing our people he said. It comes in the night where lovers are sleeping. The bite of the monster is small and innocent but its venom is strong and deadly. This was what was killing our people.

The strongest and bravest of the soldiers were chosen and sent to the lake to go and kill the monster. For days they watched the shores of the lake to attack the monster if it raised its head above the water. Still the people were getting sick, and still the people were dying.

Again the wise men came together to make a better plan. No one had seen the monster come out of the lake, but the venom of the monster was killing the people. Perhaps the monster did not come from the lake at all? It was decided that all the warriors of the land should search every bush and cave. They looked everywhere, but the monster could not be found. The only place that it could be hiding was the lake.

The wise men of the land got together for the third time and again the fires burned till dawn. When the sun showed its head on the morning of the 5^th day the oldest and wisest of the men called the people together. The only way that the monster could be defeated was by circling the lake to trap the monster. If the monster appeared then the warriors would attack and kill it. But the lake was big and it had to be circled all the way round. 

All the warriors of the land were used to form the circle. For many days the warriors stayed at their post, waiting for the monster to show its head. The monster was scared and stayed in the lake. As long as the warriors were circling the lake the monster stayed hidden and the people stayed healthy. But with all the warriors circling the lake there were no one to hunt for food or protect the woman and children from the wild animals.

For the last time the wise men of the land got together. It was decided that there was a solution to the problem. “Masibambisane” said the oldest and wisest of men. Everyone would have to work together. Man and woman, old and young, strong and weak. Everyone would be used to guard the lake and keep the monster in hiding.

It has been years since then, and still the circle of people is kept round the lake. To this day there has been no more death or disease caused by the venom of the monster that no one has seen.

The story so told is a parody of HIV in our modern times. The story of a disease that is destined to bleed our nation dry if we do not heed to the call of the oldest of wise. That only by standing together, the weak and the strong together in unity, only then will we be able to survive.