Do you know this type person? The person who is clearly up to no good and has ill or selfish intentions with every move he/she makes? Do you ever wonder why more people cannot see the truth about that person or why people are still willing to support him/her when it is so blatantly obvious that he/she doesn’t have good intentions? I know a few of those people. I have those very thoughts – WHY are they still supporting him/her? WHY can’t they see through his/her façade? Recently, one such person did something so unprofessional, so inappropriate, and so ugly, that I almost did something I said I would never do. I visited an online blog where people trash talk anonymously and for a split second I thought about writing something about this person’s true colors. I was ready to call him by name. But I stopped myself. I couldn’t do it. I stayed true to my values and to the behavior I wish to exemplify, and to the person I wish to continue to practice to be. (Yes, practice, as we do make mistakes so it is an on-going practice).
There are all kinds of ugly things happening in our world. Lies. Corruption. Hate. Fear. Sadness. Rudeness. Bullying. Drama. Selfishness. So many behaviors that I don’t want to be part of and I don’t want as part of my life. But sometimes we are tempted with these behaviors. We are tempted to succumb to the world around us and get involved in these ugly actions. It takes courage and leadership and integrity not to engage at that level. Even when the frustration is high and even when we see people get ahead, if only temporarily, by utilizing these disgusting behaviors. I’ve felt the pull not only that day when I almost blogged anonymously, but other days too.
But then I realize that even if I was the last person in the world who had not given in to those vile behaviors, I still would not want to give in. I am grateful for the people who choose to rise above those things. I try to surround myself with those people and eliminate relationships with those who don’t rise above. We can’t control how others act or how others treat people. But we can control how we act. Let’s make conscious decisions not to engage in these harmful and hateful behaviors and instead engage in the behaviors that demonstrate who we desire to be, what values we hold, and influence others in a positive way. After all, that is the beauty of choice. It is all a choice and we have the power to choose our behavior.