JULY 15, 2022
As brother Randy and I continue our work with our Foundational Band of Brothers, our goal is to develop this great group of young men and other interested participants, into thinking and acting on what it is to be “Authentic Men” by becoming better brothers, fathers, husbands, sons, business associates, and friends. We have enjoyed meeting with them as a group and one-on-one, in hopes of understanding, (rather than judging) along with guiding them into being the best version of themselves with a strong feeling of gratitude rather than a feeling of entitlement. Of course, this begs our four most difficult and challenging life questions: WHO are you? (Do you really know yourself?) WHAT path are you on? (Is it a good one for you and those that you lead?); WHO are you taking with you? (Take those that you love and that love you): and WHAT is your end game? (This requires a worthy vision, intentionality, preparation and a great strategy.)
Through our past Elevator Guy remarks over the last seven years, (check them out at elevatorguy.net if interested) we have enjoyed sharing our respective business and educational experiences in helping our group see the scenario they are in from a whole new perspective; moving from being a victim of circumstances to a humble learner (and seeker) which has the potential to unlock new purpose and meaning in their journey. One of the most important ways we feel we can help others, is to encourage them to create a new and different way of looking at a situation and fighting for what they value most. Are they grateful for that failure that will allow them to learn something new about themselves, or do they “expect” good things to happen to them constantly through a feeling of entitlement?
If you feel entitled to receive something, when you don’t get it, you are understandably disappointed because you expected to get it and didn’t. But if you do get it, the luster is dimmed and short-lived because, you were expecting it all along. (“You can’t always get what you want”)
When we experience success, it is usually accompanied by a sense of exhilaration, satisfaction or accomplishment. As we live in this moment or look back on our journey and see how far we have come, our perspectives often become filled with gratitude. Gratitude always exists in these moments unless our mindset is one of entitlement. Entitlement often comes in the form of thinking that a certain result is deserved or necessary to fit OUR world view, whether for fairness, balance, or when we think the result should have happened anyway. It can grow or wane depending on the emotional energy we put towards a certain outcome by focusing on unknown future results. Gratitude is an emotion experienced in the present. It is a way of being and provides a sense of fulfilment and wholeness.
Life doesn’t always happen the way we think it should. (Duh!) There are always those times we just can’t predict, foresee or forecast results. Entitlement can lead to low energy outcomes and an attempt to force results. Are you cutting corners or are you cheating others (and yourself) just because you feel entitled in life? By shifting from a feeling of entitlement to one of gratitude, it can bring the energy back and allow the individual to view their world from a place of ownership and power. (But remember; you are merely “renting” things in this life) By perceiving the world from a place of gratitude, it allows us to appreciate the journey, enjoy each moment, feel the power of contentment (there is our contentment word again) and be open to rich learning that comes by being present.
Follow us the next few weeks as we dive into more of what it means to have “Gratitude vs. Entitlement.” Reflect on your own gratitude and entitlements. Maybe you have labored hard over your career and have that feeling of; “I earned it, so I deserve it.” Maybe you did. But what’s next and what are you going to do with all of that “hard-earned” wealth you feel you deserved? And, what did it cost you along with way? Try being a little more grateful for the many blessings you already have been given. It is the “Soul-food” that feeds our souls. Be Grateful!
Elevator Guy
Quote for the Day; “To cultivate gratitude, we must first uproot the weeds of pride, entitlement, and comparison that choke out our blessings.” Toyin Omohoye