SOUR GRAPES + Intuition, Cheating Updates
A friend and I were discussing sour grapes. Aesop tells of the fox who looked at grapes he couldn't reach and described them as sour. The moral is it's easy to disdain things we can't reach. The phenomenon of scorning things we can't (or don't) have continues and seemingly grows. A friend is appointed to an honorary position and people immediately begin to carp at the position, describing it as valueless. Another friend works hard to provide good service to a club and people immediately disdain his success. A co-worker succeeds in a project and people disdain the project, describing it as unimportant. Why do we do this? Is it jealousy of others? Is it a way of avoiding jealousy? Why can't we appreciate what others have?
I think the sour grapes attitude could be a way of avoiding jealousy, it let's us believe that we have no reason to be jealous. If what another person has is worthless, why would we want it? It could also be a manifestation of jealousy. We really value what the other person has but don't want to admit it. But is there another, more unpleasant reason for sour grapes? I think this attitude masks resentment of others. For whatever reason, people express scorn and disdain of others in scorning their accomplishments or possessions. It's slightly different from jealousy but it has the same negative influence on our lives. When we spend time and energy denigrating others, we avoid doing the right things for ourselves and others.
Appreciate what others accomplish, applaud their successes, value what they value. Think of your own values and seek to do the best you can in achieving your goals. Think positively about everyone, avoid sour grapes. In this way, you will make others feel better and you will feel better about yourselves.
Intuition update: Interestingly, my on-line horoscope for October 28 was: Cheating update: My fears about a culture of cheating were expanded
"Your sense of intuition will be highlighted, ... Try to pay attention when I watched a television interview program recently. A young woman
to strong impulses that come over you. You could discover that you are defended cheating on the ground that everyone does it. I was offended by
picking up on accurate information. You might understand someone's her views but not surprised. We must change the culture, so that she would
emotions before they even express them. Or you could foresee an event not only be ashamed of her cheating but avoid cheating in the first place.
that is about to affect your family. You can put your intuition to good In the culture I advocate, she certainly would not defend cheating in this way.
use and take advantage of advance information. Notice what impressions
come to you today, and don't be afraid to act upon them." This is a good
summary of what I was already feeling.
11-4-02
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