Epiphany

"I have learned silence from the talkative, tolerance from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind. I should not be ungrateful to those teachers." ~Kahlil Gibran

Reconsidering what one thinks of a person can be a difficult path, but a necessary one sometimes, especially if our impression of a person is possibly based on inconsistencies from our very selves.

I found myself in this position today after reading a particular news article highlighting a person I admire greatly. The person was being compared and contrasted to a person I find very irksome and, in some ways, irrational in her approach to certain philosophies I hold. I cheered as the article implied my "hero" could never be in the same realm as the "annoying one." Then, as the article was closing, I read something shocking to me. The two people were friends.

It made perfect sense in retrospect, but I was so set on the two people having nothing in common, it never occurred to me the two could be amiable to each other. It then also occurred to me that I could possibly be friends with this person if I knew them. This made me stop and really think.

One of things I enjoy most in life is finding the possible in the impossible and I was not doing this here. I had to face the fact that in this situation, I was being the very type of person I often criticize others for being; someone who is judgmental and too critical of others who do not fit into their perfect bubble of life.

This evening, in flipping through my Zen calendar, I found the words of Khalil Gibran noted above and found the very strong message I believe I was to learn.

Life lessons often come from unexpected sources and sometimes we have to delve into the very places we may not want to look.

Verse about judgment:

"Therefore, you shall judge among the people equitably, and do not follow your personal opinion, lest it diverts you from the way of God." Quran 38:26

"Follow what is revealed to you, and be patient until God issues judgment; God is the best judge." Quran 10:109

Muslim Rebel Sisters: At Odds with Islam and Each Other

Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com