Spiritual Blogs

Labels.  How dreaded they are by some.  I can't count how many times I've seen someone say something like, "I hate labels!" or "Don't you label me!" or some other similar statement.  And I'm like, dude, take it down a notch, nobody cares.  It's true, most people just don't care, yet we put an amazing amount of weight on labels.  We give them a power that they don't deserve.  I used to be bothered by labels, I just wasn't so bothered that I freaked anytime someone used one on me.  

Then one day I started thinking about the issue and I mean really thinking about it.  So what I learned is that firstly, labels aren't a bad thing.  It's just a way to describe characteristics of something, someone or an idea.  For example, when talking about a tree, one could mention all the characteristics of the tree, or they could simply mention it by name such as elm tree or pine tree, etc.  Labels condense ideas and help language not be so wordy so as to save time, among other things.  Nothing harmful there.

Then there is the perception of being boxed in and controlled that one feels when they think they're being labeled.  It's interesting how we think someone is almost attacking us by labeling us.  Some indeed treat it as an actual attack.  Why? Why think and feel this way?  What does it accomplish?  Let's see, for starters, it can afford one an opportunity for drama.  They boldly speak out against any perceived or actual labeling in order to convey rebelliousness or victimhood.  It can be used as a chance to attract attention because they're attention starved.  It makes one think that they must be special enough for someone to want to label them, so drama ensues.  Or it can give one a sense of purpose.  For example, they feel like they must fight back against the labeling that society throws on them or they think society throws on them.

Then there's the flip side of the issue.  The embrace of the label.  Doesn't matter what the label is, embracing it can give one a sense of purpose.  Or perhaps they embrace negative labels because they were abused at some point and feel like they aren't worthy of anything better.  Or they embrace it because they want to feel special, important or be able to identify with a group or idea.  So what do all these examples have in common?  One's own mind.  The power of a label is all in your head.

A label can't trap, hurt or control you unless you let it.  If you're letting it, then you either forgot or just don't realize that you're more than any one label, and that you, not the label or someone else, is in control.  So now that this has been realized, where will some get their drama fix now?  What will they use to feel special?  Someone out there will say that labels are still all kinds of awful.  Well, if you insist.  It's your drama, not mine.