Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?
Posted on 05/29/2011 by Yvonne McCarthy / 9 Comments / Leave a Comment »
Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?
I wrote a blog post called “are you an anchor or a motor” last year and it bears repeating. I hope you’ll read it again or maybe even read it for the very first time.
You know those people that are so quick to jump on everything in an instant?? 0-60 in seconds? They tell you “But you’re not doing it right!” Control with a capital “C”.
If you haven’t seen “Addicted to Food” on the OWN channel I would suggest you view it as soon as possible. Tennie McCarty is brilliant and I love how she talks about dealing with the BIG C. (control) We all need to learn to let go. Have we forgotten some of the simple things? Assume = makes an a$$ out of you and me. When you are pointing at someone = three fingers are pointing back at you. I love this next section by Jack Canfield.
*Are there people in your life who only have to walk into the room and totally drain you of energy? I refer to these people as psychic vampires. They literally suck the life energy right out of you. Stop spending time with them.
Are there people in your life who are always complaining and blaming others for their circumstances? Are these people always judging others, spreading negative gossip, and talking about how bad it is? Stop spending time with them as well.
Are there people in your life who, simply by calling you on the telephone can bring tension, stress, and disorder to your day? Are these dream stealers who tell you that your dreams are impossible and try to dissuade you from believing in and pursuing your goal? Do you have friends who constantly attempt to bring you back down to their level? If so, then it is time for some new friends.
You’re better spending time alone than spending time with people who hold you back with their victim mentality and their mediocre standards.
Make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive, nourishing, and uplifting people- people who believe in you, encourage you to go after your dreams, and applaud your victories. Surround yourself with possibility thinkers, idealists, and visionaries.
I spent some time with some incredible people at an event in San Francisco and even though some agreed to disagree, we walked away as friends and a new found respect for each other. I had almost forgotten what it felt like. We were all there to be part of the solution and not one person became a part of the problem.
Next time you are about to contribute to the conversation, ask if you are being part of the solution.
The problem is already there…why don’t you do something to work on the solution?
*referenced in this post….special thanks to Jack Canfield’s “The Success Principles”
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9 Comments on “Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?”
Excellent thoughts for a glorious Sunday morning, bella. Your original post from a year ago is both timeless and spot on. While having differences is unavoidable, it is the respect for those differences that is lacking. While some of us may disagree, it does not give anyone the right to make fun of someone, treat them rudely or insight others to treat another poorly. I chalk it up to many people simply not being raised well. Respect is lacking in much of our society. Rude parents raising rude children. Victims abound.
It is easier to be a follower of those who have set a low bar or do not expect total success – and is to be expected in a population like ours, who generally suffer from low self esteem and worth. It takes effort to be positive, set goals, and not give up until you reach them – especially when you are ridiculed for having set the bar high. All we can do is to keep seeding the sky with positive words, kindness, applaud success, and HELP lift those who struggle and reach upward… but real growth and change is personal and takes place from the inside. We CHOOSE it or by default do not.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your words!
“It is easier to be a follower of those who have set a low bar or do not expect total success – and is to be expected in a population like ours, who generally suffer from low self esteem and worth. It takes effort to be positive, set goals, and not give up until you reach them – especially when you are ridiculed for having set the bar high. All we can do is to keep seeding the sky with positive words, kindness, applaud success, and HELP lift those who struggle and reach upward… but real growth and change is personal and takes place from the inside. We CHOOSE it or by default do not.It is easier to be a follower of those who have set a low bar or do not expect total success – and is to be expected in a population like ours, who generally suffer from low self esteem and worth. It takes effort to be positive, set goals, and not give up until you reach them – especially when you are ridiculed for having set the bar high. All we can do is to keep seeding the sky with positive words, kindness, applaud success, and HELP lift those who struggle and reach upward… but real growth and change is personal and takes place from the inside. We CHOOSE it or by default do not.”
You are so right (again) Honey…your post reminds me of the St. Francis prayer; it’s a tough order to fill but if I end up on the plus side instead of the minus side of the equation then that’s a good day for me as far as being part of the solution: Lord, make me a channel of thy peace,
that where there is hatred, I may bring love;
that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
that where there is error, I may bring truth;
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
that where there is despair, I may bring hope;
that where there are shadows, I may bring light;
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted;
to understand, than to be understood;
to love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life
Thank you my loving husband….you are one in a million and I still can’t figure out how I got you!
You said something last year that stuck with me: “If you want to be a winner, then hang with the winners and ask them how they do it. They’ll share their success with you.” You were and are so right, but success (like happiness, positivity, or anything else that is good, is a CHOICE. We choose to live our lives in the light, out in the open, and with a smile on our face, or, we can hide in the shadows and blame the world for our misery. I’m no mushroom, I’ll tell you that! I’m blooming where I’m planted, and I am thankful for butterflies like you to flutter into my life! :-* Hugs!
This is a beautiful message Y. Thanks for writing it.
You are very welcome. 🙂
Another insightful blog. I look up to you and your constant positive energy brings lots of joy to my sad times right now.
So true, ridding my life of the non-supportive, energy draining people was/is a necessity.
My Louisiana sister you are wise beyond your means.
Hugs, Y