There is an old quote we have all heard, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” The connections we make with others often start a foundation for prosperity. Sometimes these links are hard to keep on a positive level.
I have an affirmation that I say to myself from time to time. I see God in myself and those around me. I give thanks for God’s presence and abundance in my life today. I find it helps me get through some sticky situations. Sometimes, I get drawn in and forget.
I recently was at a friend’s house for dinner. It was a small get together with only four people. We were served a beautiful meal. There was a young man at the dinner I had never met before. He was in his mid thirties and attractive and intelligent. He had a good job and a beautiful girl friend.
The more he spoke the harder it was to consider him attractive. He absolutely did not have one good thing to say about anyone. He was mad because he was not invited to a wedding. He didn’t like his boss. He was passed over for a promotion. His ex-wife was miserable. The list goes on and on.
I tried to divert the topic, change the energy and he would not allow it. I started to realize why he had had so many disappointments in his life.
We are all humans. There is not one of us who is perfect (Shocking, I know). Our higher selves, however, want to be seen; the ‘soul’ part of us wants to be recognized. When we encounter people who consistently focus on our imperfect human side, this nature in us wants to move away from the negativity. There is a basic desire to work and play with people who see our goodness.
I feel that if this man changed his focus and started to notice and share the good things about these various people in his life, his life might change. I know for sure it would be a lot more fun to share a nice dinner with him.
Isn’t interesting how sometimes the most “beautiful people” are not at all attractive once you get to know them? Sometimes you meet people that seem physically less attractive; later when you start seeing their inner light shine through, you know you have seen true beauty.
I truly started to feel sorry for this man, because he was showing how unattractive he had allowed himself to become on the inside. He was so unhappy. When he was gone, I told my friend, “I don’t like him.” She looked at me in shock. He had infected me with his disease of dislike. I saw his human side and started to focus on it. Honestly it was hard not to. I’m not proud of this.
Have you focused on the human side of the people around you? In life and in business, a big part of achieving prosperity is having a kinship with others. The Bible gives us a plan of success that can clearly help us have better relationships. In the book of Philippians (4:8) it says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praise-worthy-think about such things.” It’s not always easy; my action plan to be better in the future is a renewed commitment to concentrate on God’s light in people. Upon seeing that divinity give it some praise, perhaps that will give the conversation something positive land on.
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