Our Clandestine Shadow

Simply think of a person who annoys you.  Who is it?  In what manner do they annoy you?  Have you ever thought of a reason why they irritate you?  Really, really, thought about why? 

Everyone has someone who rubs them the wrong way. Maybe it's not every day, but every now and then. They could be a schoolmate, friend, or even someone you don't know but whenever you see or hear them, they just annoy the hell out of you.  There is something about them that turns us off, that makes us choleric or take offense to. Perhaps, it's the way they dress/style, their tone of voice, or maybe their 'preachy' nature about something they feel strongly about.

But the main question is... Why do they bother us? Why do we care? They aren't us. Neither do we have to be like them or force ourselves to agree with them. We are all unique, different from one another and thus we should accept that. But what makes it so hard to do that sometimes? 

Chances are because it's not really because or about them. It's about us. There is this certain trait that we have or sometimes, we admit to ourselves that we don't have. We realize their is a part of us that we hate that is also present on that very other person. We don't like this trait in ourselves, so it manifests as if we don't like it in them. Therefore they annoy us. The thing about them that we also have, that often evokes emotion in us is our clandestine shadow.  

Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings- always darker, emptier and simpler.
 - Friedrich Nietzsche

As humans, we like to perceive ourselves the way we want others to perceive us. Hence, it's a given that we desire to focus on the traits that we think are good, upright, and sought after by others.  We never accept our mistakes or admit that we have a bad side, our other self.  But the problem is, we are humans. Humans commit sins. All of us have negative traits, feelings and emotions. I am not saying that we are naturally or born to be bad, but what i mean is.. we should think before we speak or act.  

Shadows are cool.  They are a representation of yourself. But not exactly a replica as they are often distorted in some way. If you can manipulate your shadow through movement, then that means you can choose how it can appear by simply moving your body.  Just like how you have a control over your feelings and actions.

Thus, you have a chance to eliminate your shadow. Especially the one that makes up your dark side.Be sure to choose what you want to change, and change it and at the same time, be mindful of how it will impact you and the people around you.