Be your best self to the limit!
...most people are very hard on themselves. If you ask a random person, chances are they will tell you they are not happy where they are or feel they should be further. One might give a slightly more more optimistic response in saying that they are not where they want to be - as yet....
We’re still at the beginning of 2022, which also means we're still in the ‘New Year, New Me' (rolls eyes) part of the year. This also means the prevalence of resolutions which get a bad rap largely because we’re generally quite horrible at actually keeping them....
It’s the first month of 2022, and many persons, including myself, have made plans and goals for the new year. Persons will want to see numbers decrease on the scale and increase on the bank statement. Persons will want to find love again or for the first time. Persons will aim to cut ties with toxic people and/or stop their own destructive behavior. Whatever change one chooses to attempt, success will be hard to attain if one pursues the new goals while holding on to old habits.
Many persons I know, myself included, have, at some point, had goals and aspirations, but were shy to go after them - and afraid to be seen going after them. The ‘why’ is obvious. Failure when it’s happening doesn’t feel good and people generally aren’t kind in those situations. Even in succeeding, people can still be unkind. But in focusing on these people, you run the risk of not getting what you truly want.
In the wake of the recent pandemic, much has been said about the need for greater financial literacy and the idea of creating generational wealth. This piece will examine the reverse - generational poverty (poverty for at least 2 generations). In The Bahamas, this would be considered a ‘generational curse’ and we’d say that ‘the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.’ The truth is that poverty, just like genetics, is passed down from parents to their children (and culturally); but unlike genetics, poverty is learned.
We hear a lot of about inflation and how it gradually lowers the purchasing power of our present-day dollars. There was an occurrence a few weeks ago that illustrated this principle to me quite clearly.
I worked with a gentleman many years ago (Let's call him John). Every time I think of him, I am reminded of the lesson that I learned from him - that no matter how bad things may be, I must always be my best self, no matter what. In what become a highly teachable moment, he became the man that lost two jobs.
While many persons have the best intentions when giving the gift of the truth to others, often times the recipient gets distracted by the wrapping. The right message can be said in the wrong way. Consider my encounter with a doorman in Colombia as an example.
...A few years back, at work, I received an email from senior management announcing promotions, raises...... I opened the email and scanned all of the names on the email....The longer I looked, I thought, “it sure is taking long to find my name".....
WILFRED BAIN 