People and things

Came across this image on one of the sites that I visited sometime in the past.  Does it sound too cliched? It definitely sounds familiar! 

We tend to remember forever the times when we were being used. How about the times when we used others? Intentionally or otherwise? That would be rather difficult to remember, right? 


When I sit back and recollect such instances, and when I visualise myself in such a situation, I can't help but get an overwhelming feeling of being helpless. May not have been exactly mean or manipulative or even aggressive but essentially helpless. It's almost like an excuse, a factor that justifies putting someone else on the block. We use others. In simple unobtrusive ways. Not debating whether it is right or wrong. Only wondering what it does to oneself.It definitely leaves a very bad taste. 

I don't want to be used, but what can I do about it? Try not to do this to anyone else, maybe.                                                                                                                                                        

My hut is burning

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.

The worst had happened ~everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. God, how could you do this to me he cried. Early the next day, however, he was wakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island.

It had come to rescue him. How did you know I was here asked the weary man of his rescuers. We saw your smoke signal, they replied.

Creativity with Courage

Its another wonderful new  year beginning. The usual review of last year and anticipation. It's life, cycled once more. There is one question on top of everything - how different is this year going to be?

This Jim Ron's article is a potential fuel for all the fires planned this year:

CREATING OPPORTUNITY

By Jim Rohn

An enterprising person is one who comes across a pile of scrap metal and sees the making of a wonderful sculpture. An enterprising person is one who drives through an old decrepit part of town and sees a new housing development. An enterprising person is one who sees opportunity in all areas of life.

To be enterprising is to keep your eyes open and your mind active. It's to be skilled enough, confident enough, creative enough and disciplined enough to seize opportunities that present themselves... regardless of the economy.

A person with an enterprising attitude says, "Find out what you can before action is taken." Do your homework. Do the research. Be prepared. Be resourceful. Do all you can in preparation of what's to come.

Enterprising people always see the future in the present. Enterprising people always find a way to take advantage of a situation, not be burdened by it. And enterprising people aren't lazy. They don't wait for opportunities to come to them, they go after the opportunities. Enterprise means always finding a way to keep yourself actively working toward your ambition.

Enterprise is two things. The first is creativity. You need creativity to see what's out there and to shape it to your advantage. You need creativity to look at the world a little differently. You need creativity to take a different approach, to be different.

What goes hand-in-hand with the creativity of enterprise is the second requirement: the courage to be creative. You need courage to see things differently, courage to go against the crowd, courage to take a different approach, courage to stand alone if you have to, courage to choose activity over inactivity.

And lastly, being enterprising doesn't just relate to the ability to make money. Being enterprising also means feeling good enough about yourself, having enough self worth to want to seek advantages and opportunities that will make a difference in your future. And by doing so you will increase your confidence, your courage, your creativity and your self-worth, your enterprising nature.