It's
been a few hours now and I can't seem to get the lyrics of Michael
Jackson's “Man In the Mirror” out of my head. If
you wanna make the world a better place take a look at yourself, and
then make a change – ugh!
I love that lyric, and it's got me (yet again) pointing a finger at
myself while asking, “Am I doing enough? Am I doing all I can?”
And my gut tells me 'no' and it hurts because I know better. And I'm
not even gonna speak on such grandiose terms as changing the world,
because that may not be everyone's end game. However most are at
least interested in changing their
world. YOUR space. YOUR place. I'm quite certain most are at least
interested in that, and even on that small scale Jackson's lyrics
still apply. It seems much more obvious that if we want OUR position
in life to change that we must start by changing something about
OURselves. When you say it out loud, it seems to make perfect sense,
yet few do it. It's so much easier to play the finger pointing game:
“I
would have gotten that job if he had given me a recommendation.”
“The
teacher hates me. No wonder I'm failing the class.”
“If my
husband worked harder our family would be better off.”
“I'm
in unhealthy relationships because my mother was always in unhealthy
relationships.”
“I
can't seem to get ahead because you won't help me.”
Come
on people. Just stop the madness. Stop it now. When there is
example after example of individuals that literally began with
nothing yet they somehow managed to create strong legacies for
themselves and their families, there is no excuse. None. Either you
like where you are and you're completely happy or you want something
different for you and your family. Those are the options. If you've
already reached the top of your mountain and you couldn't be happier,
I'm not talking to you, but if you've still got a ways to climb and
you haven't even put on your hiking boots, I hope you're listening with your good ear. Get
up off your hiney and go stand in front of the bathroom mirror, stare
yourself in the face, and say, “I have to change. I have to do
something different. I'm the one holding me back.” Say those
sentences over and over until they sit with you, until they get under
your skin, until they piss you off enough to do something.
And
you needn't feel overwhelmed, because what I've learned is small
changes often produce big results. You've just got to commit by
creating new habits. Habits. Not, “I did something different last
Monday but nothing good came of it.” That's because you've not
created a new habit.
Regularly
followed – that's what I'm getting at. You do that, and
without a doubt you'll get the results you're seeking, and I'll leave
it at that. Start with you. Make a simple change. Make that change
a habit. Prepare to reach your mountain top.
My
name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.
