We need to ask ourselves the question in the title of this article,

because whatever we practice, we will become. And since our

topic today is indifference, and if that’s what we’re practicing,

that’s what we’ll become.

Life is a dynamic process in which we become either the creator

of our perception, or the victim of it. In this process, we learn to

be happy – we choose to be happy – or not! Either way, we’re in

charge of our lives, and we’re responsible for the choices we

make.

When we choose to be indifferent, then we miss the beauty and

color in life, and that means we’re more likely to make poor

choices.

Unfortunately, sometimes we become so indifferent that

we become disconnected:

disconnected from self, from our

feelings and strengths; disconnected from others, from their love

and support;

disconnected from God, from the ultimate source of healing and

strength. When we’re disconnected, we have only our own

resources to draw from. And when our well goes dry, which

invariably it will, it can be terrifying.

Ironically, in spite of these problems, we often become highly

resistant to making any changes. Indifference causes us to get

stuck. And once we get stuck, there is a tendency to stay stuck.

And as we continue to practice

what it takes to stay on this self-

defeating course, we become imprisoned by our indifference and

by the belief that the cell door which imprisons us is controlled by

someone else and that it can never be reopened. In reality, we

are the ones who closed the door, but the door was never locked.

Life should be filled with experiences and initiative; not with

indifference, or excuses. But when indifference settles in, there is

often no opportunity for the guidance and inspiration that comes

directly from the Spirit.

Both our strengths and weaknesses are developed by the manner

in which we face these conditions. In essence, they make us

different, and different is good,

because we must be different from the world, in order to make a

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difference in the world. But if we choose a course of indifference,

the odds are that we will miss some of the color and beauty in this

world.

We need to remind ourselves that we are more than we

have become.

I believe that Heavenly Father wants us to love Him, and to love

our fellowmen.

And that even though we may feel all alone or indifferent to those

around us, or tired, or lost, and even though we may have

forgotten about our purpose of being here in this world, and even

though we have experienced the paralysis of indifference, we

don’t have to remain at that level. We have the divine capacity to

remember who we are and why we’re here.

I believe that Heavenly Father wants us to hang in there, and to

do what we can to stretch ourselves enthusiastically! I know that

He knows that we are limited and a way has been created for us

to succeed, in spite of our limited views.

I know that Heavenly Father knows when we’re worn out, or sad,

or alone and hurting, He hurts for us. I know that it’s pretty easy

for us to become distracted and indifferent, and yet I’m 100%

confident that he’ll bring someone into our life to help us get

through the numbness and pain.

I’m confident that we are part of His Perfect Plan, and that we’re

never really alone or lost, or beyond Heavenly Father’s reach.

And I know we know these principles are central to His Divine

Plan, even when we’re worn out, and when we feel like giving up.

We’re never alone or lost, but I also believe that we tend to forget

sometimes, and indifference seems to overwhelm us so easily.

I’m certain that you have heard this joke before, but I’m going to

share it with you once again: Two guys were having a

conversation and the first guy said, “Which is worse, ignorance or

indifference?” The second guy responded, “I don’t know and I

don’t care.”

Henry David Thoreau once emphasized that many people “live

lives of quiet desperation (end quote). And I suppose that

somehow, indifference is like that...living a life of quiet

desperation. Sadness, lack of enthusiasm, a life full of emptiness.

Sounds terrible, doesn’t it. Or to put it a little differently: So much

to do, and so little inclination.

So how can we recognize if we are slipping dangerously close to

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the cliff of indifference? Well, maybe one thing to watch for is

that we develop what I call “The Almost Syndrome.” We almost

do what we know to be right. We almost care about the concerns

of our neighbors. We almost take an active role in participating in

life. We almost develop some passion for this world that has been

created for us. And we almost do those things that we have

committed to do.

But I suppose that the worst problem of “The Almost Syndrome”

is that we almost live the commandments, then we almost

receive the blessings....but not quite. Indifference will do that to

us.

Now, only a psychotherapist would think that this combination of

symptoms would be fascinating. But it really is amazing! And all

that I can figure out is that the problems related to indifference

are so common that they apparently must be part of the process

of mortality.

Since this problem of indifference can cause so much devastation

in our lives, I thought it might be helpful to come up with a

definition that each of us could use. So I naively went online.

And what I found was that definitions for indifference were

common throughout the world. Apparently, the whole world is

drowning in a sea of indifference. And for the most part, those

who are indifferent may not even be aware of the toll that it’s

taking on their lives. We hear phrases like, “Whatever” “Nothing

really matters” “Who cares anyway” “It’s not worth the effort”

And, “I don’t want to be involved.”

In reality, indifference is a luxury we can’t afford. It destroys

families and relationships. It’s associated with depression,

addiction, pornography, and emotional numbness. And even

more thought provoking, we tend to think that the opposite of

love is hate, but it’s not. It’s indifference. So many relationships

suffer from this malady that it almost appears to be the norm.

And the more we practice indifference, the more it becomes a

habit...a bad habit that can be difficult to break. But like any bad

habit, it can be broken. So where do we start?