Life is so interesting – I was going for my 4k walk along the Crystal Cascades at Redlynch in Cairns the other day. I passed several people enjoying their ability to go for a walk, when I passed a mother with her 2 children. The mother and daughter were happily moving along, when the son (on a bicycle) began to complain. He decided he had enough of riding, that it was too hard, no fun and wanted mum and sister (in a pram) to take shortcutswith him through the bush.
The son became angry and complained so loud, that the mum even considered it for a moment, before deciding against it. The son continued on till they were out of earshot but the mum remained firm.

It got me churning on how often in life we can find our selves in vulnerable situations and can easily be influenced to make a disempowering choice, if we let it. Often those looking for an easy way out will lose perception and rationalise their behaviour – entirely missing the fact that they are affecting others negatively. Too self absorbed in finding ways to skip steps, brings limited sight. When we are lazy we become careless and weigh heavily on others, we miss the journey as we cannot see the essence and we miss out on all the beauty. On the other hand, if I let myself be influenced in a negative way by this attitude, I will miss no less. I too will miss the process as I react – by ‘pleasing’ or ‘rescuing’ or playing the victim, martyr, or judge – leaving me no power to step away.

We all want love and happiness but very few are truly willing to make that little extra effort – to extend that little bit beyond. No, we want it now and we are willing to sacrifice our own value, automatically compromising our relationships on many levels. To apply a firm brake in either role is an essential tool to practice in daily life.

Question: Do you look for shortcuts in life while bullying others? Or do you let others bully you into compromising your value?

Consideration: Why do you allow it to happen?

Action: Understanding that to force anything or anyone is acting against our own peaceful nature and conflict will be automatic. To accept this kind of behaviour will bring the same consequences. So whenever you catch yourself bulling others or being bullied by others – apply a firm brake, take a deep slow breath, then check and change your own behaviour. Using your Power of Patience – knowing there’s a reason and a season for everything, gives the ability to apply the brakes. Then using your Power of Courage, change what needs to be changed 🙂