What is on the Inside of You
“When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out because that’s what’s inside. When you are squeezed, what comes out is what’s inside…” — Wayne Dyer
Whether we like it or not, whether we want to admit it or not, each and every one of us has leaks and or weaknesses. As a matter of fact we all have many weaknesses of which we are unaware. In some cases these weaknesses go undiscovered and in some cases they are purposely overlooked. This is because we either don’t want to believe we have the weaknesses or we don’t want to deal with them. Still in other cases many remain unaware of these weaknesses until they are subject to the right type and amount of pressure needed to bring these to the light. It is as this time these weaknesses are often discovered because we or someone close to us just happens to observe a small leak in our character during some interaction or situation.
The interaction or situation puts us in a place where we are out of our comfort zone causing us to do things that we are not use to doing or that we have to respond or react to, but don’t quite know how to in the proper manner. Because we don’t know how to respond or react in the proper manner we find ourselves in a pressure cooker. During the time we are in this pressure cooker is when these weaknesses are revealed. Since the weakness was discovered or seen during this period of being in the pressure cooker we blame the weakness on the pressure, but the truth is it is not the fault of the pressure cooker.
It is the belief of the vast majority that pressure is the cause for leaks and weaknesses. In actuality, this is far from the truth. The truth is this: Pressure only reveals a leak or a weakness that was already there. Sure, if an item or structure is designed not to have more than a specific amount of pressure placed on it and this pressure is exceeded the result would expose a leak, a weakness or total failure. What would have been discovered is the pressure tolerance of the item or structure, but the pressure would not have caused the leak, weakness or failure. The reality is the pressure only brought to our attention the amount of pressure the item or structure could take. Said another way, the pressure reveals to us that which needed to be worked on or shored up in order to withstand the pressure that was to be placed on or in it.
Life has a way of putting the squeeze on all of us and as was said above, when something is squeezed that which is on the inside will come out or be revealed. As we are all aware, and for the first time in history, the majority of those on this planet regardless of their walk of life, are under an immense amount of pressure. It seems all are being squeezed by one thing or another depending on what is going on in or around us. As pressure grows, the leaks and weaknesses are revealed in one way shape or form. This may come out in several ways: anger, malice, silence, yelling, blaming, fault finding, etc. These are some of the common methods we have all used at one time or another to transfer or take the pressures off ourselves and place it onto others.
Unfortunately, this transfer is frequently done on those with whom we are closest. It seems we seldom do this to our colleagues at work or shallow known friends. For some reason we do this toward those with whom we have the most affection. The “stress press” of life can wring out what is really inside you. This is where the rubber meets the road for when one is placed under the right type and amount of pressure what is in the heart will be exposed or what is on the inside will come out. The Bible says, “A man’s heart determines his speech for a good mans speech reveals the rich treasures within him.” In other words what is in your heart will come out of your mouth, but it may also come out in actions as well.
Demosthenes said, “You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man’s actions are, such is his spirit.”
What I have found that works for me is to look at life as a series of tests for we are all being tested on some level throughout our entire lives, so the question is, “Are we reacting or responding?” When a doctor gives you a shot he/she waits to see if your body reacts or responds. If your body reacts then you are given something to counteract the reaction. If your body responds then there is no need for additional attention or treatment. A reaction is bad, but a response is good.
Good and bad things happen to us all, but having a good response when bad things happen will always make the outcome brighter and better. The issue is this is so much easier said than done. So remember, the tests in life provide the opportunities for us to “practice” our responses. One way that might help you is to take the view that you are a guest; a guest at your own home, a guest at work, a guest wherever it is you may go. When you respond as a guest would respond, you will find things will not seem to bother you as much because you are a guest anyway. This will help reduce the leaks and weaknesses, which the pressures of life will continue to try and reveal.
Why don’t you give it a try? Start practicing positive responses today by simply being a guest here and enjoying the ride. The better your response the better the outcome and the better the outcome the better your quality of life in the long run…
Best of LUCK as you
Labor Under Correct Knowledge…
Respectfully,
Rick Cox