Forget your normal New Year’s resolutions and try something new. Aarona Ganesan challenges you to a gossip diet. Image: BundaVaga via Behance.net
What happens when you strip the s***-talker down to their bare-naked soul with nothing to hide behind? There’s the same spark of light that we’re all born with, the same vulnerable humanity that we all share, and the same deep need to be loved and seen. We’re part of the same beautiful tattered tapestry of endless discovery, somehow all connected. And this will never change. Even if you’re an asshole.
S*** talking makes the gossiper feel superior, temporarily. And for some bizarre reason, many people feel “connected” and less alone when they gossip together. Constructive criticism or getting something off your chest is one thing. But mindless gossip is lazy, boring, parasitic, and a clear marker that you’re avoiding your own shadows.
If you look closer and pay attention to how you truly feel after gossiping, a.k.a. ego/verbal masturbation, you’ll notice that your energy is depleted or heavy. A certain rancid charge is left in the air. You may even feel like you need caffeine or some sugar to pick your energy back up so you can feel like yourself again. *Pick up a glass of water instead. Wash it away, send some love to your target, and apologize to the skies.
One never really knows what’s going on for someone else. We each have our own limitations, which we’re learning to navigate and expand beyond. And none of us want to be on the receiving end of trash talking – it feels shitty and we’re tender beings.
We don’t have to love or even like everyone. Yet we also don’t need to waste our precious energy and words hurting them from afar or depleting our valuable energy. Use it for making real magic in the world instead. Focus on your “home improvements” first. And generate your own good juju so you can be an inspiration.
Join me in this challenge: NO GOSSIP + NO COMPLAINING for the next 7 days. That’s one full week. You can do this. Then make it a part of your ongoing life practice.
*If you slip, no biggie! Use it as fuel, observe honestly how it made you feel and notice the energy left hanging in the air. Then, get RIGHT BACK on track. Make a better choice next time. Notice how much more creative brilliance and positive energy you have.
