What I allow! How in the world might this statement inspire me? It’s really quite simple. It inspires me in a reverse kind of way. The statement reminds me that I have power and control over what I allow to come into my life. It reminds me that I am influenced by what I allow. Some of the influences I allow are beneficial to me and some are not. It reminds me that I have control over how people deal with me.
I was re-reading one of my favorite thought leaders recently and ran across a sentence that really struck a chord. The late Stephen Covey wrote, “I teach people how to treat me by what I will allow.” Wow!
How often have I in my life bemoaned the way others treat me? How often have I wallowed in self-pity over some slight or oversight or demeaning remark or belittlement? When I have allowed myself to engage in that type of thinking I missed the obvious! The problem was not in that other person! The problem was in ME!
I teach people to treat me by what I allow . . . period!
Here’s a thought for the week ahead. I challenge you to write Stephen Covey’s sentence down somewhere and read it five times a day for a whole week! Just 35 readings of one sentence! I will! Won’t you join me?
Talk about a wake up call! I’m anxious to see what will happen in my life and yours as well! I want to teach people how to treat me the way I want to be treated!
Peace!
Mark E. Hundley
