Waking Up in the Matrix

The world we have perceived ourselves to be in was no more real than what we see on TV. We are like contestants on a reality show. Once we pierce the veil that separates us from the world as we would like it to be, we find ourselves in a very cold and frightening place. We are confronted with the ugly realization that our world - our family, our friends, a workplace - has been filtered through a kind of prism. The world we believe ourselves to be living in is a reflection in a funhouse mirror. Our perception of our world is so distorted that it bears only the vaguest resemblance to reality.

Confronted with the enormity of the game-matrix, what are we to do? If we try to take it on head on, we're smashed. If we try to stay outside, we find ourselves isolated from humanity.

Maybe the answer lies in simple random acts of kindness. . Not extravagant contributions to worthy causes, but small gestures it will never hit the morning paper. It could be helping an old lady across the street. Or taking the time to show interest in someone we hardly know and who appears to be down on their luck. Or being warm and courteous a telemarketer calls in the early evening and disturbs our dinner.

This is not to be confused with niceness. Niceness is really giving to get - doing things to benefit others but always in full view of the audience. Kindness is quiet, whereas niceness is loud. For instance, let us imagine ourselves encountering a beggar in the street. With his arm outstretched, he looks beseechingly at us for money. Let us further assume that we choose to give this man a few coins. It is not the act of giving money that is of greatest importance. This can either be a rich man giving a beggar money, or an authentic exchange between two human beings. The nice man gives the beggar the money, does not look him in the eye and leaves the interaction feeling good about his own goodness. Nothing has really passed between the two men. A well dressed member of the species has given money to a pile of rags, and that is all.

On the other hand, if the richer man looks the poorer man in the eye as he is giving him the coins, not just for a fleeting moment but for several full seconds, and as their gazes meet he communicates, "Bless you my brother, there but by the grace of God go I," then something has actually taken place. For a brief moment the two men cease to be different in status. They become one. They are simply too human beings, in each belt a different hand by life's great game of chance. There is a reciprocal exchange - one conveys caring, the other, gratitude.

Each is brought a little closer to God in the process. In this sense, each has been equally compensated in the transaction - this is when the real magic happens. That moment we connect to God, we experience his love in its purest intensity.

Article Source: http://www.articlesforfun.com

John Berling Hardy is a sought after business consultant, author, speaker and originator of "The Hidden Game"; a strategic plan to increase the success of your personal and professional life. To learn more about John and to download his free ebooks, visit www.johnberlinghardy.com

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