PEOPLE GOING THROUGH MESS AND LOOKING TO GET OUT by Glenn Hunter
Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister in England during World War II when the German military was literally blowing his country off the map, said, “If you are going through hell, then keep going.” Any person who is going through some mess, they have to keep going! Some people end up in mess because of their environment or the decisions they made. Substance abuse, poor education, low self-esteem are often involved in those past circumstances. The causes are fairly consistent. How people overcome their mess varies tremendously!
Whether the mess comes from decisions or environments, the first step is to change surroundings. Whether it involves your location or your attitude, place yourself somewhere else. For example, if poor education is keeping you from progressing, find better education. Physically, mentally or both put yourself in a place of higher learning. Enrolling in college is one option, not the only option. Find a topic that interests you and read books, magazines or blogs about that topic. Any individual who is seriously interested in improving their mind gets to pick what they are interested in learning.
For people without the money to invest in frequent bookstore visits, go to the local, public library to find a book. Ask the librarian to help you find reading material in your area of interest. If you have a bad experience with your local library, then go to another library and ask for help. Also, authors regularly gather at libraries and book stores to discuss their writings and ideas. Many of them have inspiring personal stories. Meet them.
Be willing to accept a small gift or act of generosity. Learn to say “yes” with humility. I have offered to introduce my students to professionals who can help their career dreams and they have politely declined. Or, I get, “let me get back to you, I got to get a few things together first”. That is the equivalent of waiting to lose a few pounds before you start dieting.
Look for people who are equipping others to improve their lives. Not people simply strutting around less fortunate people screaming about their greatness, but seek individuals actively equipping others. Why do successful people volunteer to help others? Often because someone volunteered to help them. It may be a sense of obligation. Many successful people know that they can personally benefit from helping others. If you are going through some mess, you can step up and be that person to receive the help someone wants to give. Hiding helps no one.
Regardless of environment or decisions, paths exist to escape messy situations. The majority chooses to stay in the muck with the masses. Unfortunately, these people have just plain given up. Move away from them. But individuals who are truly sick and tired of being sick and tired, their attitude has just taken its first leap toward new altitudes. As these new attitudes ascend with eyes open, they will see others ready to equip and welcome them into the heights of success. Soar with these people and emerge from your mess.
-Glenn Hunter
Consultant/ Instructor/ Writer