"Look
for the good and praise it"
Good morning!
Have you
ever noticed the natural human tendency to put ourselves in the
"middle" or everything as a source or cause? For example, when someone
doesn't return a phone call, our thoughts often turn to, "Did I upset
her?" or "Maybe she doesn't want to talk to me." Or if a co-worker
seems to be having an off-day we may wonder, "Did I contribute?"
When we
make the focus about "us" we can't focus on another person in a healthy
way. In these situations it is best to turn from our own ego and
instead look at the situation or the person directly. Perhaps a call
wasn't returned because a child became sick, or the person went into a
ditch in a snowstorm, or fell asleep while watching TV. Perhaps, it has
nothing to do with us. Perhaps a co-worker learned of an ill-relative,
or had a fight with a spouse. Usually it has nothing to do with us.
Your
turn:
As you go throughout your day, watch for the tendency to put yourself
as a "cause" or "reason." When you find yourself doing so, remove the
focus from yourself and instead ask thoughtful and inquisitive
questions about the situation of concern. Remember that when we make
the focus about "us" we can't focus on another person
in a healthy way.
Your
affirmation:
I remain focused on the entire situation versus
focused on myself.
