STOP IT!!!

One of the things we most dislike in life is when we’re told to stop doing something we’re involved in.

“How dare you!”

“You have the gall to tell me to stop?”

That’s what we think, even if it’s not what we say. The trouble is so many times in our lives we’re doing things that need to be stopped, but we don’t realize it. To compound the problem, it takes a special person to actually tell us to stop. Most of those people around us, see the need for us to stop but don’t want to take the responsibility to tell us. (I’m going to repeat it. You’re not reading double. This is incredibly important for all of us not only to realize but for us to be brave enough to do for those you care about.) Most of those people around us, see the need for us to stop but don’t want to take the responsibility to tell us.  It might be the relationship we’re in, the hobby that has become an obsession or more seriously, an everyday habit becoming an addiction.

We are not perfect. No matter our age or our level of wisdom, our level of achievement or office we hold, there are still times when we need others to utter that dreaded phrase – “STOP IT!”

OK, how do we stop it? Well, the first step is realizing someone thinks what we’re doing isn’t right. Step two, we should take a serious look at the message ourselves. Our first inclination is to lash out at the messenger without considering the message. We owe it to ourselves to ask if we are involved in something dangerous, rude, uncaring or mean? Is our behavior something that would bother us if we saw a loved one or friend doing the same thing? What’s the motive for that person to stick their neck out and tell us to stop? These are just a few of the questions we need to ask ourselves. Now, the most important part comes next.

We must answer them honestly!

The bottom line is the only thing we hate more than being told to STOP IT, is when we look back at our behavior or actions and realize they were right. Instead of lashing out, look inside first. I’ll say it again, instead of lashing out, look inside first.

Peace…

Gregg