The more I see, the less I know, the more I'd like to let it go
Does that sound familiar? It should if you’re a fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers! I write this as I’m deleting playlists from my Spotify account and going through music I haven’t listened to in a hot minute.
My dream was to be a musician. When I’d play the piano or guitar my mind goes to another world. I love guitar start of this classic song.
As I was listening to this I decided to look up what they were trying to tell the world with that song and this is what I found:
Anthony Kiedis explained: “It’s about the repeated failure to start your life anew and how difficult it can be to get rid of old ways of thinking, and destructive ideas we become so attached to.”
Another aspect of the song could be related to the journey of how life unfolds, and how you come across failures. Even after you fail multiple times, you start over again, although it is hard to let go of what you thought was the right way to deal with life, and how you perceived things.
Yes, It could be about the drugs but taking into consideration the rest of the lyrics, It could mean how things look white and clear on the surface in the beginning, but deep down they are not, and are rather ugly and far from simple.
Whether it is failing experiencing a social embarrassment, disappointing someone we care about, a personal mistake, a school test, or making a moral flop, failure can be devastating. Failing is not something we get used to but we are aware that it is something that we can’t avoid because we all make mistakes. Yet, some of us find it difficult to pick ourselves up after a fall.
We may have similar feelings such as: “I’m my own worst critic.” What would people think of me?” “I don’t forget, and I keep thinking about my mistake.” So we think others do too.
Of course we don’t want to over think it and ponder over our failures more than it is necessary to do so. Giving some thought to one’s failures is not necessarily a bad thing—especially if doing so moves you to make improvements. To do so we have to have the right perspective so we can pick ourselves up after a fall. Otherwise, prolonged and unrelenting self-criticism is harmful and counterproductive.
As we continue on this journey we call life we come across options, join communities, come from different backgrounds, and belief systems are created, and with all this, we are experiencing different moments that are shaping us, if we allow it of course but even when we don’t realize it we are being influenced by what we read, see, listen to and who we hang out with. Then we set goals for ourselves, we reach them all is great then we’re of to seek novelty again and we are unhappy so we’re always looking for the best and better thing. Sometimes we feel like we have figured it out and the next day brings us to another choice we have to make and we have no idea what to do.
Social media has only made that harder for us as we compare ourselves to those who look like they have it all figured out! Does anyone have it figured out? We believe we what see.
Modesty is knowing our limitations. Being realistic with what you can and cannot do. Being immodest would be thinking you can do it all. It is more likely that we feel that way due our imperfect nature and therefore the reason why we may fail often. So what do we do with all this information?
Sometimes, high expectations are imposed upon you—by parents, teachers, and others. Maybe you have high expectations for yourselves. And you realize that, try as you may, you just can’t please them. It could be that you expect too much for yourself at the moment. To make matters worse, such ones may express their disappointment in words that irritate or perhaps even crush you.
Most of the time your parents and others are not deliberately trying to hurt you. It could be that they don’t even realize how they’re affecting you. Sometimes it’s just a misunderstanding.
If we were to look at it from another POV, is it possible that they see something you don’t? Just What If: If it’s for your own good. They want you to do better, to improve yourself. What if you Think of it as a challenge? If in the end, it doesn’t work out. Will avoiding them make things better? It would be wise to speak with them—respectfully, but candidly—and let them know how you feel.
Accept who you are and others should too? Not exactly
If you saw your loved one going down a path at night that was filled with danger in the dark would you accept that his stubborn ass can’t see that it would be better to wait till morning and that way he can check to see if there’s another path he can take? Even in this moment, we cannot judge for we don’t know what the’ve been through. We can only advise and they can still go down that road.
No one sees what you see, even if they see it too
For some, it’s not just a failure. It can be a vicious cycle, an addiction, or bad habits. Maybe way of life that they know is bad for them deep deep down within but the more they try to walk away from it the deeper they go in. Like an all-consuming darkness. They can begin to love the darkness they live in because no one will ever know since there is no light to shine on their mistakes or come up with reasons why they should make changes in their life.
Yes, accept yourself, in this moment that won’t last forever. Absorb what’s going on within you.
Maybe you failed but you are not failure
Acknowledge your feelings
Recognize irrational beliefs
Be honest with yourself
Reflect on the good
Accept responsibility
Channel negative emotion productively
Everyone fails at something. If you can learn to be resilient, you will have acquired a vital asset that will serve you well in adulthood
After you have to a peaceful state, have the hard conversation with yourself and with those you’re avoiding. You can use rejection and failure as an opportunity to serve for growth, albeit uncomfortable growth. This is why you can’t just accept yourself as you are or else how would you ever grow.
The facts are that yes you can accept the facts that we fail many times but you are only a failure if you don’t try again. If you don’t change directions to get to that same goal/destination you had in mind.
As life unfolds for you, stay light-hearted, own your mistakes, right your wrongs, and believe in yourself. I believe in you.
Don't let the difficult things in life make your heart hard. Stay soft.
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