Candles...and burning others...

‎"Blowing out someone else's candle won't make your's shine any brighter!"

Saw this posted on Facebook a few weeks back and it reminded me of how we treat one another and how we think of ourselves. It was not attributed to anyone, so I’m not sure where the quote came from, but it’s a good one...

We often put ourselves first.

We often put others last.

We often focus on our own feelings only.

We often forget about other’s feelings.

We often focus on our own dreams only.

We often forget about other’s dreams.

Sometimes, we think that if we put another person’s ideas down, we are building ours up. We think our plans and motives are so much better than another person’s that we simply snuff out their ideas to ourselves, in our minds, and worse, to them directly. We hurt others, while trying to make us feel more secure and better. We try to outshine the dreams of another, by putting our dreams up in front of, and over theirs.

Everyone has different dreams and goals. Their goals are just as important as ours, but we are so self-focused that we are willing to hurt other people, just to get our’s in the limelight. 

We have to step back and realize that if we would do the opposite, we would actually shine brighter than we did.

If we help a child learn how to shoot a basketball, we become a hero to them. Both our candles are lit brightly.

If we help a teen to get a better grade or learn a new skill, we become a mentor to them. Both our candles are lit brightly.

If we help our children to meet a deadline, instead of beat them up about missing one, we become a parent to them. Both our candles are lit brightly.

If we help a coworker to get that next project completed, we become a teammate to them. Both our candles are lit brightly.

If we help an elderly person to succeed in some challenge, we become a friend and caretaker to them. Both our candles are lit brightly.

If we help in a ministry at our church, we become a leader to those in that group. Both our candles are lit brightly.

If we want our candles to be seen, it seems to me, that all we have to do is help, support, encourage, mentor, be a friend, work with, smile at, and be there for someone else.

Funny how the opposite of what we sometimes do, is actually what truly works.

Lessons Learned: Treat others as more important than yourself, and all of a sudden, you will become important too.

Thoughts: Who have you helped to succeed lately?

#failalot