Motivational & Inspirational Stories: Feed the Bear
Recently I found myself endeavoring to better understand the actions of a couple co-workers (from my ‘day job’). Although slightly different in their approaches, they shared some rather obvious characteristics – seemingly very much foreign to me. It was easy to see that both were very much rooted a ‘me first’ mentality – each willing to do whatever was needed to ensure they looked good to management, each, whenever perceived necessary, just as willing, seasoned and comfortable with backstabbing and discrediting undeserving innocents along the way. As I rounded out my quick comparison of the two, it further occurred to me that they also shared a seemingly less than ingenuous inherent concern that the task at hand, or initiative itself, be either successfully executed or flawless in effort. Instead, their apparent concerns were only that their associated decisions and actions be perceived that way… that whenever the proverbial lights were on, management inferred their efforts as the most results-based and commanding. It wasn’t about the quality of the mission so much as their relative position in comparison to other employees, when the ‘cameras were rolling’.
Having seen the results of their predatory traits numerous times before… having witnessed the easily discernable drop off of concern and diligence once anyone immediately capable of boosting their respective careers were no longer in earshot – on this particular day I found myself wondering.
Regretfully, it occurred to me that these two individuals, by no means, had the market cornered in this arena – and this most definitely was not merely a corporate thing. The unfortunate truth is on a daily basis, in everyday life, the results of this ‘Me First’ mentality can be readily found. For instance coming out of the market one day, there was a middle-aged gentleman who obviously had the job of collecting the carts from the parking lot. Part of the job, no doubt, was to clean the assorted debris out of the carts before returning them to the store – as I witnessed him diligently retrieving the loose scraps left behind by departed store customers. What I found astonishing was that every loose piece of trash from the carts he retrieved, in a non-accidental manner, ended up in a new resting place - littered across the parking grounds. Apparently, keeping the store’s parking area free of debris wasn’t listed in his job description… apparently, neither was consideration for whoever would eventually be tasked with cleaning up the parking area or any negative customer impressions and/or impacts until clean-up time arrived.
What was the mindset that provoked each of these people, and so many others, to live mired in such a self-absorbed fashion… and such a self-serving way? What was the thinking… the psychological wiring… that allowed some to be so concerned with only self – while caring little about things such meaningful concepts like the bigger picture, content of character, quality of work, legitimacy of effort - and simply not being the type that, for personal interests, has a propensity to willingly throw someone else under the bus?
It was at that point that I recalled a scene from a movie – originally derived, I believe, from an old joke… Two friends are in the wilderness, upon which they both notice a bear coming towards them. One of the men immediately begins to feverishly work to get his sneakers securely on his feet. The second man asks - “What are you doing… do you really think you can outrun a bear?” The first man looks up at his friend and responds – “I don’t have to outrun the bear… only you.”
Perhaps, I considered, there are simply two types of people in this world… those who live their lives like the first friend in the joke – and those who do not… those who could readily sacrifice a stranger or a friend if the ends had the potential to be personally advantageous – and those who simply weren’t wired that way. Then, I reconsidered; perhaps it’s a little more complicated, and a little less black and white, than that. Perhaps we all have the capacity to and do, from time to time, on at least some level, make self-centered statements and decisions – and/or behave in a manner that would suggest the outcome as it effects others is meaningless or irrelevant.
And perhaps, in the end, being a truly happy and fulfilled being is about striving to minimize the instances where we allow ourselves, regardless of the place or circumstances, to stoop to that level… striving instead to accomplish, persevere and achieve in a manner that doesn’t require sacrificing another. For when we willingly sacrifice others for our own gain, in reality it is our own content of character that takes the biggest hit of all.
So, feed the bear… if you must. Just endeavor to find an approach that doesn’t require you to serve up yourself or a friend – and, for that matter, any innocent bystanders. Because everything in life is much sweeter, and true happiness and fulfillment is only attainable when your content of character remains in tact.
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An Inspirational and Motivational Place
And thus begins the blog writing component of my humble existence. After creating, administering and serving as he primary contributor for eight year old, ever popular inspirational website, SomethingToShare.com, progressing the message further with the publishing of my first motivational and inspirational book, “The Nurse in the Delivery Room Slapped Me… Once: Stories and Perspectives to Help You Unlock Your Amazing Potential” and rolling out the accompanying inspirational and motivational website, STSTheBook.com, where you can find inspired book reviews, inspirational stories and other uplifting excerpts, and just about any other detail about the book – and how this particular inspirational book can make a difference in your life and the lives of the people you love… This article marks the commencement of my efforts to bring a similar brand of motivation, inspiration, insight and perspective to the Blogosphere.
Sometimes the message might be in the form of a nugget of wisdom intended to help you to increase awareness, challenge the status quo and/or widely assumed constraints, consider your power to change, slow down sometimes to appreciate the wonder of the ride and scenery, strive for purpose and seek your intended destiny – and/or to continuously migrate in the direction of whatever brings you happiness and fulfillment. And sometimes the message might be simply a reminder that obtaining the things we truly desire is often times a factor of the extent to which we are willing to play nice and sometimes share the things we’ve got.
We will discuss the power of inspiration, passion, motivation, individuality and believing in self. We will discuss the value of time. Inspirational, motivational and generally positively intentioned thoughts, acts, people, websites, stories, poems, quotes and influences will be highlighted. Beneficial elements of my inspirational and motivational book, “The Nurse in the Delivery Room Slapped Me… Once: Stories and Perspectives to Help You Unlock Your Amazing Potential” will be highlighted – as will similarly uplifting offerings from SomethingToShare.com and STSTheBook.com, as well.
Expect honesty. Expect frank opinion. Expect passion. Expect a little emotion. Expect much motivation. Expect even more inspiration, Expect light topics. Expect topics that are pretty heavy. Expect some paradigms and perspective to be challenged. Expect lots of questions - and perhaps an occasional answer or two. Expect a little of everything. Then open your mind and heart – and see how the message uplifts you and how much farther together we have the potential to go.
So, are you ready for a regular injection of fresh perspective and empowering inspiration? Well… Welcome aboard the SomethingToShare Express!
Each day, be inspired – then aspire to more…
Talk to you soon.
D Anthony
Inspirational Author and Motivator
Author of “The Nurse in the Delivery Room Slapped Me… Once”
Founder of STSTheBook.com and SomethingToShare.com
© 2007 D-Rose Productions, All Rights Reserved
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