KEEP THE OLD WARM

“Conviction easily turns into self-defense and is seduced into rigidity, and this is inimical to life. The test of a firm conviction is its elasticity and flexibility; like ever other exalted truth it thrives best on the admission of its errors. – Carl Jung Psychological Reflections Problems of Self Realization

We are convinced. We have conviction. Then like a tree that grows smaller, weaker, waining…..Our conviction devolves into self-defense. We defend to the death until our convictions are but small seeds of pride – rigid, small, powerless.

Inimical to life…..they are cancer. We convict growth, constrict growth, rip growth up by the roots when we let rigid pride rule hearts. We do not function. There is no we. We become isolated islands. Devoid of connection in hearts.

For there is no true connection without conviction that is elastic and flexible. Conviction that can win or lose, teach or learn, speak or listen. It is the only way our convictions and opinions can coexist…..we must allow for others to live, and we must all allow it together. If our convictions are to reach for truth, they must thrive on the admission of their errors, and live together.

Convictions that can take humble steps back, to take proud steps forward…that accept loss as part of life, yet strives to win honorably…. such conviction ties connection with the world. They share the world. They accept both victory and defeat in life. They accept their part. To be just a part.

Hearts can be sand in the desert, or stones in a pyramid.

Hearts of ice, cold and rigid, are sand to us. Nothing can be built.

Hearts of fire, warm and flexible, are stones to us. Much can be built.

Rigid within, brittle without.

Flexible within, unbreakable without.

Convicting Pride, constricts with lies.

Wise Conviction ties connection.

A paradox of the heart.