Recently, I read about how a pair of Mahatma Gandhi’s glasses were sold at auction for $340,000. While I don’t have an opinion as to whether or not that’s the correct price for his actual glasses, I wondered what the value of his perspective would be.
Before I go any further, some background on Gandhi. He was born October 2nd, 1869 and died January 30th, 1948 at the age of 78. He was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who employed non-violent resistance to lead the successful campaign of Indian independence from British rule and inspired movements for civil rights all over the world. Gandhi is unquestionably one of the most significant humans ever.
So, back to the value of his perspective and how it would benefit us in today’s world. I think reflecting on some of his more famous quotes will help us to get a sense of what that his perspective truly was;
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
“Hate the sin, love the sinner.”
“Nobody can hurt me without my permission.”
Those are powerful. In a time when we’re at one another’s throats on everything from our next President to how to handle the pandemic, I think Gandhi’s perspective would be invaluable.
So why not adopt it? Why not start seeing the world through that perspective? You and I can make the decision to do that anytime, why not now?
Would the world, your world, our world, be better if you did? I think yes.
Approach each day and every interaction (both in-person and virtual) with Gandhi’s perspective of forgiveness, love and personal empowerment. Be quick to forgive those who wrong you. Recognize that it’s their behavior you dislike, not them. Realize the only person who has power over the way you feel is you. And when you forget and come up short, give yourself the same forgiveness and love.