The Sum of our Experiences

Recently I have had thoughts about listening to others during conversations. I cringe sometimes when I hear a group speaking to each other...there's no real discourse - there is only talking at each other. It really brings home the message in Brian Regan's comical skit about the man on the moon...its called "Dinner Party" and he explains how people are only out to 'out talk' each other. My daughter had a t-shirt that said "Listen and Silent" same letters? Coincidence? I love that! I am guilty of not listening. Social media has really created social self promotion in our current society. There are some ideas I have shared with my son and with a friend about our personal perspectives; we have talked about how our personal perspectives are 'the world to us'. There is an entertainer that has the catch phrase "I refuse your reality and will subsitute my own". I love that too! It's like when 4 people look at a dog, they may see 4 different things: 1. A companion 2. A threat 3. A noise maker/watcher 4. An extension of conscienceness These are all correct. I bite my cheek when I hear someone tell me 'how it is' about something. In my opinion there is not very often an instance of truth that is exactly the same for everyone. Are we the sum of our experiences? To person number 2 above in the dog example . . . maybe they were bitten by a dog and now have fear that is indistinquishable. Are we the sum of our experiences? I believe so, but at the same time I feel that we will never be able to define ourself soley on experiences, or define our value, purpose or worth, based on our experiences. So - life experience is very important and not so important. It is a true conflict in living. There are many people with a vast amount of education that know a world less than some others with lots of life experiences. There are many that live life fully, with a narrow and mean perspectives to others that are different than them. I like to believe that I am learning to love my perspectives while leaning into other's experiences. This is a difficult task. The word 'judgement' comes up. Anyway today was a mindfulness day. At one point during the day, I felt judgemental and devalued. I heard myself say "Dear God, please help me with some understanding and patience." It was kinda strange. I suddendly did not care so much about what was bothering me. I am the sum of my experiences, but I will not let past pain destroy a potentially great peace that is also inside of us all. That peace found me today, and I was so glad!