Live and Let Live

“Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live; it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.” - Oscar Wilde

It is funny, I think the only times I have had REAL conflict with people is when they have tried to make me run my life as they want to run theirs. But I am actually thinking of the times I have tried to do the same to others.

A person convinced against their will is of the same opinion still.

The changes I am trying to make in my life are MY changes. I have been on a long haul road trip of trying to improve myself. My changes are MY changes. I have started mentoring a young guy on our team who keeps asking me what to do. I have told him what I am doing and have told him to mimic what works for him.

I could spend the rest of my time right now telling you about who has pissed me off by trying to make me change and follow their life pattern but that would be very destructive and send the wrong energy out. I could have even not told you about that BUT I am trying to leave a log of my struggles as well. Maybe someone will read this and are going through something similar and take something positive from this.

When I joined ACN I was told to follow a script and do what they do. Now I agree with the idea – the example they use is if you bought a McDonalds franchise you wouldn’t start selling pizza, would you? Now they have changed that a little, ACN is now using a number of scripts and are asking people to modify them to their comfort level.

I know I have written about my morning ritual. I’m up most mornings about 5:00 am to take Bosley out for a walk. I then take about 20 minutes to learn and write. I even have a timer (new) on my computer than helps me maintain the timings so I don’t end up wasting too much time. 

My REAL Alarm Clock - Bosley

I tell a great many people about my ritual and have made a habit of not telling people about my ritual but using myself as an example. My life has completely changed since I have started this ritual.

• My temper has evened. I am more at ease with the foibles of others and of myself. I can more easily laugh at myself.
• I am less likely to say stupid things. I have learned that saying every stupid little thing that comes into my brain is absolutely not helpful and may actually hurt the person or the situation.
• I have lost some weight. Walking 1 to 2 km every morning is a good thing!
• I am a better husband.
• I am a better teacher.
• I am a better father.
• I am a better friend.

Do I have more work to do? Absolutely. I can credit ACN for the tools I needed to improve I use all of the tools in my back office to work on my self improvement each and every morning. Sometimes more too!

I know I was getting better before ACN but what happened was more and more told were available every day.

I heard that quote by Oscar Wilde last night just before falling asleep. It made me think of the times I said “I’ll tell you what you should do!” and wish I could take most of them back. At work sometimes you need to say “This is the way to do it!” But life? I don’t think so.

So I think I am on the right path. I will show what is possible by making my life visible. I will accept when people try to tell me what to do and listen to what they say. If they have something positive to say perhaps I will hear it rather than just block them out.

Maybe I can grow from that experience as well. I know I will grow from the experience of letting them talk their peace.

Have a wonderful day!