Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

August 21, 2017

“The world is a great mirror.  It reflects back to you what you are.  If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you.  The world is what you are.” –Thomas Dreier

It is easy to become upset with the world around us.  It can be unfair, unkind, and downright mean.  However, like our math teachers frequently asked us, what is the common denominator?  The common denominator is us.  Some people seem to live easy, untroubled lives.  Why?  Are they simply in the right place at the right time?  Maybe, maybe not.  We can’t control situational luck.  We can be aware of what we bring to situations.  If we are angry, demanding, or obnoxious, we may get what we want in the short term but long term, we may find ourselves alone or surrounded by people who “use” us.  If we are scared, fearful of others, and submissive, we may find ourselves resentful and surrounded by those who prey on others.  If we embrace ourselves, accept others, and exude respect, we may not get everything we want but the path we walk will be populated with friendly, caring, and respectful people.

What do you bring to the situations in your life?  What kind of people have taken up space around you?  What gifts await you as you change what you bring to the world and how it is reflected back to you?