Forget the Labels
April 8, 2007 We tend to categorize and label people, and then develop expectations based on those labels.
For example, we think "spouse." Thinking spouse, we often expect the person to always love us. We think "friend" and with such thinking, we usually expect our friends to always be loyal to us.
If we then have difficulties with our spouse and friends and others around us, our labeling and setting of expectations can block us from amicably settling those difficulties.
Try forgetting the labels and think instead of the other person as another human being who simply wants the same things we do. He or she wants to end suffering and attain happiness. With an open heart, we just might be able to help the person get a little closer to what they wish to achieve.
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