IMBO Magazine Issue 33: One Love | Page 36

F O C U S F E AT U R E 1. Harmony We achieve harmony by acknowledging first and foremost that we are built differently - wired with different spiritual maps. Understanding and accepting the differences between each human blue print helps us accept our support systems as they are. Acceptance helps us bury the idea of how ‘ideal’ friendships, relationships or work systems need to be, transcending the accepted norms of society. This is important because life is not a matter of convenience. It’s about those burning journeys where we learn to co-exist as one. “Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart.” – Khalil Gibran Living in harmony requires us to stop imposing our will on others. The relationships we partake in are not obliged to give us what we desire. It is important to comprehend that happiness doesn’t lie in the next person. This already solves our need to blame others and we are able to live and create a harmonious life with others without any unhealthy attachment. When conflict arises, it is crucial for us to be non-reactionary in that moment. Go back to the drawing board and only then react according to the circumstance of disharmony. In essence, when we find that nothing is IMBO/ ISSUE 32/ '14 broken in the conflict, we can agree to disagree because love doesn’t dominate, it is meant to cultivate. 36