Monday, June 3, 2013

Motivational Monday


THE HIGHER WE SOAR,
THE SMALLER WE APPEAR
TO THOSE WHO CANNOT FLY.
(Friedrick Nietzsche)

I was one of those kids who did well in school. I got A's and 100%'s. But I wasn't cocky about it -  I usually put the paper away in my folder as fast as I could before the teasing started. And I got teased. A lot.

My mother said the other kids were jealous. I didn't buy that for one minute. Not then.

And I'm not saying I buy it now. Not totally anyway. But when we watch others achieving goals or going after dreams or traveling places we'd like to go, it's easy to be jealous. We make excuses for how they did it - they got lucky, they know so-and-so. We put down their dreams, we don't ask questions, we show no interest. And when we do that, it's often because we're afraid. We're afraid that person will soar so high, we'll never see them again and we'll be left alone, feet planted firmly on the ground, our own unchased dreams, our own unfulfilled lives, rooting us in place.

And although that makes a lot of sense - and gives me a different perspective on some situations and people in my own life - it's not an excuse. Because you know what? We don't have to be jealous or petty or a downer. We can decide whether we drag back the person trying to soar or we boost them higher with our cheers and well wishes and prayers. 

So, let's decide. As hard as it might be for us, let's support those in our lives who are trying to soar. And - this might even be more difficult to do - let's try to understand those who are afraid to let us fly.

22 comments:

  1. I never was teased at school for getting good grades and I don't think any of my children were. It is too bad when people are jealous of someone else's success.

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    1. I think it's human nature to be at least a little jealous sometimes, but I believe it's how we handle it that makes all the difference.

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  2. I think if we can focus more on how they got their wings, we'll find inspiration rather than something to grumble about. ;)

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  3. It's hard sometimes not to be envious of others' success but I've never understood the desire some have to put down or discourage another person's dreams. Great quote as always, Madeline. Happy Monday to you! :)

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    1. I think some people do it on purpose, but I think others just don't know what else to do - putting others down or showing disinterest might be the only way they know how to feel half-way good about themselves.

      Happy Monday to you, too!

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  4. I'm also not a fan of those who belittle others to inflate their egos. I quit a couple critique groups because there were too many negative people.

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    1. There's definitely a way to crit without being mean-spirited. Hopefully, we can tell the difference and not let those kinds of crit affect our work negatively. :)

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  5. I think it's important to remember that someone's success does not mean you can't succeed either. It's not like success is money, and when someone gets some, there's less for you. I tell my kids this same thing about friendship and love. There's plenty to go around!

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  6. I think you hit the answer - dragging others down. It's like justifying why they haven't succeeded by belittling.

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    1. And that belittling doesn't help anyone because even the person doing it isn't truly happy.

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  7. Very uplifting post! We all need a reminder about this kind of thing from time to time. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  8. Beautiful thought. Our greatest gift to others and ourselves is understanding.

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    1. Now that's a beautiful thought - our greatest gift is understanding. :)

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  9. Oh my gosh you are SO RIGHT. It IS a decision...and one we can all make. Let's life those around us - not bring them down. A rising tide lifts all ships...

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    1. I love that part about the rising tide lifting all ships! :)

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  10. Excellent post and I agree. When someone is trying to put me down, I try and use it as motivation to soar higher.

    And thanks for the two scoops tip. Brilliant!

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    1. Great idea to use others' negativity to spur our own positive growth.

      And that two scoops thing works for me almost every time. :)

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  11. Wonderful post! It's normal to feel jealous sometimes, but to belittle someone else for his or her success... Well, what purpose does that really serve? It's far better to use other people's success to motivate ourselves on our own journeys.

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    1. There really isn't any point in belittling someone else's success. Using their success to spur ourselves on is actually a wonderful compliment to that person!

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