Hope and Fear

" Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self "
Tao Te Ching

What is a phantom ?  It is defined as " an appearance or illusion without material substance. "
When we think only of ourselves, the phantoms of hope and fear come out to play.

We start to hope for outcomes that benefit our self and nobody else. We stir up doubts and fears about what might be.

Leading us to be overly optimistic or rooted to the spot by fear. Yet, should we start to think of others as opposed to ourselves, a different picture appears.

The picture changes, when you begin to think of how you can serve others.
How can you serve your family ?
How can you serve your community ?
How can you serve your customers ?
How can you serve your employees ?
How can you serve your employer ?
How can you serve your students ?

Serving others as opposed to hopes and fears for yourself, will keep the phantoms at bay. The phantoms are always there, lurking in the shadow of your mind. Waiting for you to stop serving and start thinking of yourself.

The self is like a projectionist in a cinema. When the self comes to the fore in your mind, it hits the play button and projects hope and fear across your inner vision.

Take yourself out of the equation, replace the self with " Serve " and watch those phantoms disappear.

Colin Myles Author

P.S.
Hope is merely the title of an uncertain blessing"  Seneca