Today’s insight journey led me to the idea that we cannot truthfully blame others when we fail to speak up for ourselves. I do not know about you, but there have been many occasions in my life when others have asked my opinion on something, have asked me if I had a preference regarding something, or have asked me what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. And what did I do? More often than not I either said what I thought would be pleasing to the person who was asking me the question, or I gave deference to that person and opted not to share my opinion, preference, or suggestion for what I would like to do or where I would like to go.
However, as I have matured and gotten older I have come to realize that by not speaking up for myself I was doing myself a disservice. There I was with opportunities to share my opinions, convey my preferences, or state what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go, and I squandered those opportunities. And then I had the nerve to become frustrated with the outcome when it was contrary to what I thought, wanted, or desired. Can you believe that?
What I failed to consider during those moments was the fact that by relinquishing the opportunity to voice my opinion, preference, or desire, I was also relinquishing my right to be frustrated about the outcome. Since the dawning of that realization I have spoken up more, though I am still a work in progress. And hopefully what I am sharing here will remind all of us to take proper advantage of the opportunities that we are afforded to share our opinions, preferences, and desires with others, because if we do not take advantage of those opportunities there will be no one to blame but ourselves. #lovebythedrop
love by the drop 