A version of ourselves worth the effort.
“We must work on ourselves because we cant work on them.”
Can you imagine resorting to violence when someone threatens your family? Absolute violence? This is the reality for many cultures and people around the world, mine included. And yours too, I’m sure.
This is not always the case. Sometimes this is the first choice. But, Does it have to be?
Our initial instinct seems to be in the right place. A place of love, and protection. Although the initial instinct is correct in nature, making decisions based on its affect on us can hurt us long term. At what cost are we making decisions to day that will unfold into something different tomorrow.
When we choose based on these temporary emotions we are putting our future self in a bad situation. We think that it’s not our problem…that’s future guys (or woman or ’insert gender here’) problem.
Watch this quick clip from Jerry Seinfeld for a simplified version.
“Night guy”
I’m proposing this idea is more than an overnight problem. It’s a lifetime problem that is not addressed can turn you into A serious problem for us. Sure, punching that person in the face would feel great right now, but tomorrow, from the jail cell or at the table with family? How’s that conversation gonna go?
I’m not saying we shouldn’t defend ourselves, or people we love. I am saying we should consider the cost. The cost to our families, when we don’t pay attention to signs that could put us in peril unnecessarily.
Our children, our spouses, are depending and counting on us to be here, to be present, later on. The better version of ourselves is waiting.
That’s the version we should work towards. Even if that means we turn the other check knowing we did the right thing and let them sit back thinking they won.
Sure they might feel they won. But let’s be honest, you and I both know who wins this battle. It’s the one that is still standing when it’s all over as a better and more complete version of ourselves while they sit and sulk in misery because they can’t figure out how their life turned into the crap show they belong to.
I mean, that’s only if they are able to stay alive long enough see their dumb crap show.
Keep doing great things. Keep working towards a better version of you.