A Reason for Love

Labels play a very important role in our lives. They detail the contents of the food we eat and of things that may be harmful or toxic to us. I was taught at an early age in my chemistry class to always label the contents of every container for safety reasons. We would use an empty container to store chemicals and they must be labeled according to their content. From then on, this container must be used to store the same chemical or be thoroughly cleaned before using it for something else.

In my last post, I briefly mentioned the use of labels. We in some way or another carry some sort of label that describes our personality, character, or behavior.  It is with this same mindset that we use labels for both ourselves and others. These may be bestowed upon us by our parents or even friends at an early age. Take, for example, you’re helping your mom out in the kitchen and you’re making a mess of things. She might say out loud “you’re making a mess” eventually over time and a few more comments of the sort, you apply the messy label to yourself. Another example could be you’re playing at the playground and every time you run, you trip, fall, and you’re labeled clumsy. These linger long after the initial label is placed. So much so that they become part of your identity.

These are just two examples of labels. Labels stick and they have long-lasting implications. They attack your identity. If you have a short temper, you accept it as such and that is who you are. You begin to create limitations on yourself within this frame of thought. As a result, we place these labels and limitations on others too. How we perceive a person is how we are going to treat them. We must break away from this habit of labels. They will begin to limit your potential. All we have to do is remove that burden and acknowledge that we are more than those labels that have been stuck to us. As I mentioned, labels attack your identity and your identity guides your purpose. We can pass these labels on to others. If we are burdened, we will burden those around us and transfer it onto them. Focus on positive labels. Seek a point of righteous direction. Once you focus your mind on these, you will find the peace that you seek and you will overcome them.

Be a vessel of good for yourself and others. Flip the switch. All we have to do is open up our hearts to see things His way. Do not lean on the explanations of the world for they are selfish. Change your mindset, you are not as the world sees you, and others are not as the world wishes you to see them.