What You Put Out Comes Back To You
Yesterday’s post highlighted Oprah’s quote about how Newton’s Third Law of Motion impacts our lives. When I was writing my book, I came across her quote and I realized just how true it’s been in my own life. Today I thought I’d share some of the ways I experienced this law in my own life with the hope that you’ll see yourself in at least one of the stories. When you realize what’s happening, you can decide if you want to make a change or not.
Competition
I like to win, I really do. When I was younger, I never intentionally competed with people at work, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t want to be considered the best at what I did. Sometimes I’d get a sense that someone was competing with me, and I would wonder why they were doing so. I’d spend a lot of time wondering what was going on and why they were trying to make me look lesser. Here’s what I have since realized. I was giving off competitive vibes and they were rightfully responding. It wasn’t my intention to compete with anything other than my best self, but I didn’t feel confident enough to cheer them on to do their best too. Once I behaved in a way that was more aligned with my values, I realized that I can be my best and so can they. My attitude shifted so that I visibly cheered them on and genuinely wanted them to win too. And guess what? I stopped giving competition any attention at all. I will always do my best AND hope that you do as well. I’m happier as a result.
Perfection
I used to think that if I wasn’t perfect (whatever that means), then it meant that I was not a good wife, mom, employee, etc. I worked night and day to have a spotless home, children, etc. and the main outcome of that effort was exhaustion. Perfection doesn’t exist. I’m always going to do my best, but I am so over trying to be perfect. If you have a choice between a great night’s sleep and a perfect floor, I sure hope you choose to sleep. Choose fun over perfection every time my friends.
Kindness
You’ll never ever regret choosing kindness. Give it with wild abandon and know that it’s always better when you expect absolutely nothing in return. I’ve sometimes been thought to be a pushover because I’m kind to people even in the most challenging circumstances. I don’t care. I choose kindness. I’m consistently humbled by the kindness that comes my way as well.
Love
Tell people you love them and show it with all you do. Look at your family and friends and allow your heart to feel how much you care about them. It makes me cry when I do this. Know that love is really what we’re all here to “do” and to “be.”
Gratitude
I know people who complain incessantly about their crappy days. When I hear those complaints, I know they haven’t mastered gratitude. I shared a story in my book where a friend of mine named Kristen was dying of cancer. She told me “I’d give anything for another shitty day at the office.” It’s all about perspective. I’m not sick, my family is healthy. All the rest is gravy as far as I am concerned. I’m bursting with gratitude, and I hope that you are as well.
Know that it’s true that what you put out comes right back to you. If something doesn’t feel right, sit with it a while, and assess if what you’re putting out is coming back to you.
Be well, my friends.
