Rats, those unassuming creatures, don’t possess the awareness of being disliked by humans. They go about their lives, blissfully unaware of the pure disgust and disdain channeled toward them from all directions. Now, consider this: What if rats did know how people felt about them? Imagine being that rat, discovering the horror, sadness, and fear of being detested by so many. It’s a terrifying prospect, and it invites us to examine our own biases and judgments.
Examining Our Dislike for Rats
So, why do we dislike rats? For many of us, this aversion is rooted in what we were taught. We learned that rats are dirty, gross, and dangerous. But let’s pause for a moment and ask ourselves: What makes this belief true? Is it because they live in subway stations and feed on garbage? If so, can we trace some of this problem back to ourselves – the human tendency to litter and carelessly throw trash around?
Which, in continuing on this tangent, begs the question: maybe, just maybe, if we were more responsible about our environment, there wouldn’t be so many rats in the subway eating the garbage we put there.
Blindly Adopting Beliefs
The core issue at hand is the tendency to blindly adopt the beliefs of others, sometimes without a second thought. Whether it’s our attitudes towards rats, certain cultures, or social groups, it’s important to consider whether these beliefs are truly our own. Are they based on our personal experiences and perspectives, or have we merely accepted someone else’s viewpoint?
This habit can be relatively harmless, but it can also lead to serious consequences, as seen in the case of racism. When we passively absorb external beliefs without questioning them, we risk missing out on the rich tapestry of life, constructed by our own unique experiences and values.
The Road to Self-Discovery
What does this all mean in the context of our lives? It means that if we’re unable to discern our stance on external matters, we may be avoiding the internal journey of self-discovery. This journey is vital for developing a strong sense of self and the ability to confidently identify and anchor into our core values and beliefs that shape our experiences and our lives.
And here, we circle back to the rats. Because the sad truth is, many of us harbor similar sentiments about ourselves. Albeit, buried deep down below the surface. We don’t necessarily have any evidence to support these self-dislikes, yet they persist. Often, when we throw shade at other people it’s because they’re displaying a trait or behavior that we dislike within ourselves, or inversely, that we wish we had. In this reflection, rats become a metaphor for our own journey of self-discovery, urging us to question the beliefs we’ve absorbed and to seek the authentic beliefs and values that resonate within us.
In the end, rats serve as more than just rodents that scuttle through our subway systems and back alleys. They are symbols of our unexamined beliefs and judgments. By questioning why we dislike rats, we open the door to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the importance of self-discovery. The journey towards self-awareness and self-acceptance can begin with a single question, “What am I feeling right now?” This sets us up to get curious about what’s going on for us and allows us to step into the role of the (impartial) observer. As we embark on this journey, we may discover that rats are just one small part of a much larger reflection of our own beliefs and biases waiting to be explored. Once you do, the feelings you have about yourself, your world, and maybe even rats, may look a lot different.
Are you ready to embark on your self-discovery journey but don’t know where to start?
Feel supported and guided on every step of your journey, and learn the tools that will serve you not only in the moment, but for life.