Anti-anti is NOT Pro

There is a story attributed to Mother Teresa, that she was once invited to participate in an Anti-war Rally. She reportedly declined, requesting an invitation to a Peace Rally, instead.

There are many such metaphors from a variety of sources.

Negative attachments, are still attachments and what you resist, persists.

What I've found interesting, lately, is to seek out and learn from examples of "Anti-anti" and contrast their effectiveness with "Pro."

I quickly observed that they are not confined to large issues (although they are notably represented). Some of the most instructive are relatively small yet powerful when multiplied through community.

Here are two examples from my recent experience:

I have been invited to contribute to a petition to request the administration of the University of California at Irvine to stop the Muslim Student Union and Society of Arab Students, two student organizations notorious for their anti-Israel stances, from hosting one of their regular, anti-Israel protests.

I do not agree with the anti-Israel rhetoric. I chose not to sign the petition. To my way of thinking, limiting the freedom of another is like burning down my neighbor's house to make my house look better.

“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”

Benjamin Franklin (American Statesman, Scientist, Philosopher, Printer, Writer and Inventor. 1706-1790

This is an example of a scarcity (Anti-anti) mentality. A prosperity (Pro) stance might look like this: People who disagree with the activities of the students at UCI, could offer more attractive alternatives on campus or attend a different school. What you resist, persists.

Here is another recent experience...

Last night at midnight as I was leaving Disneyland with four worn out teenage girls and thousands of other worn-out, and sleepy people, the "conductor" at the rear of the parking garage shuttle-train offered a very engaging monologue and sing-along. In 2 or 3 minutes, we sang the Sponge Bob Square Pants theme song and the Slinky commercial and laughed at his comments. I don't know if he was intentional about replacing "anti-anti" with "pro" but he did. I'm willing to bet that there were people aboard who were short-tempered and whine-y and this person offered an alternative to "anti-anti" which was clearly "pro".

It was effortless and without reason, enhanced the community (of departing Disneyland guests on that shuttle, and very effective. The girls and I made a point of acknowledging him when we got to the parking lot.

Can you spot "Anti-anti" (scarcity) and "Pro" (prosperity) in your activities of daily living? Will you avoid scarcity thinking and acknowledge prosperity thinking? I look forward to finding you in action and acknowledging you.

Happy Mother's Day.

MSS