Navigating Through The Fog

Each of us come across various numbers of people each day.

They can be acquaintances, colleagues, passer-bys, vehicle drivers on the road, silent fellow passengers on public transport, food providers, delivery personnel, health workers, politicians, friends, relatives, neighbours, commercial workers, influencers, school mates, hobby enthusiasts, club members, cruise passengers and more.

Most times, we only have transactional conversations with them in the way contemporary society is structured.  Increasingly, no voice interaction is even experienced, as finger driven text messages provide the communication channel.

Of course, we get to know particular persons better and in more intensity depending on the relationship involved.

There are individuals who also get to understand and know you better, or purposefully in a restrained and limited way.  There is a logic, rationale and purpose behind family and friendship.

How close or far relationships become can be tied to cultural norms, the sharing of various interests, the geographical factors underpinning viability to keep in touch, the over riding benefits or challenges in emotions and bonding of the parties involved and the opportunities to actually meet up in person.

Do individuals outside of an immediate family scenario persist to keep in touch despite having busy schedules?  

Do viable friendships make it so easy to catch up even after not having not caught up for a long time?

Do friendships wilt and ride off in the proverbial sunset as no effort is made to continue the previous vibes?

Whether or not we actually keep in touch in person is now supplemented by the parameters of social media, but not everyone takes part in this on screen availability.

Relationships used to be facilitated by residing in the same village.   These days we can be still be distant with people physically residing near by - but be more close with our special someones living far away.

Unresolved matters can degrade relationships with family, colleagues and others.  Whether things work out with past or present contacts obviously depend upon individual attitudes, the degree of intensity to maintain or improve a relationship, compatibility in needs or wants and the dovetailing or dispersal of common values or practices.

In a world facilitated by easier travel and mobility, are relationships threatened or enhanced by this?  Can virtual on screen meetings  be as effective as living nearby?

When populations migrate tp such an extent as we see today, are neighbours or friends in the same locality more dependable than family living overseas?

Individuals have varying levels of behaviour and pyschological make up.  We truly cannot change anyone, even as a spouse.  People develop their character and personality independent of our influence.

The most significant skill is to recognise what drives a specific person in day to day interactions with us.

Do they whinge to get attention, not wanting to increase their level of accountability or responsibility?

Do they behave like easy knock overs, never learning to say no and always ready to help when they need not to?

Do they swirl around in negativity and not even take a break to consider the bright side as encouraged by others?

Do they only need others to listen to their thoughts and have already made up their mind?

Do they just need to bully and bulldoze their way when dealing with others - and do not realise their ridiculousness as the proverbial Little Napolenons in their sickening little turfs?

Are they truly modest, humble and generous in consistent behaviour and approach, always considering the interests of the group above themselves?

Are they not able to appreciate the level of elegance, sophistication and refinement expected by so called high society?

Do they behave in a particular way and we cannot figure them out as we do not fully know their full story?

Do they have a consistent purpose in their own journey of life?

Are they easily influenced by others and tend to follow strong personalities?

Do their expectations entrap them in attachments which they may not even be aware of?

Do they interact with us only because they have something to sell to us, even if we are not interested in what they offer?

Do they drop us quickly like a stone once they have no use of us?

Do they break and not uphold well respected family and community values due to their twisted egos?

Do we judge people by a single mistake or act of unbecoming behaviour?

Do we not assume the burdens of negative and toxic individuals, as it is truly not our business to do so?

Do we not only help others to the best of our ability, without expecting anything in return?

Do we not realise that we have limitations in our own capacity and capability in helping others?

#yongkevthoughts