Sep 28, 2020
A few years ago I read an article about how we
interact with the world. It used an analogy of a Tugboat
vs a Lighthouse. A few weeks ago I saw that same message
again, so I thought I would share it with you today.
You see we can choose how we interact with the world, and
we can choose how we communicate with people around us.
Especially in today’s world, it seems many of us are trying
to be “heard”. We are all trying to share a message with
people around us that we feel might resonate with them and help
create meaningful change in their lives.
Maybe you’ve experienced this in your life. Because
of all the noise and clutter in the world today, it’s very
difficult to actually be “heard”. Its even more
difficult to have people pay attention with you feel you
might be able to help them. You may have kids or
family or friends that you are trying to help create change.
You may be an entrepreneur who is following your passion and
are trying to bring your product to market. Or maybe you
are simply someone who cares deeply for the people around you
and want to help them make changes in their lives…
If you fall into any of those scenarios, I’m sure
you have also experienced the frustration and
disappointment of not feeling like your message is
being received. Or maybe you simply cannot
understand why people you interact with are not accepting the
message or influence you are genuine trying to help them
with.
I’ve had this happen in my life. I’ve spent a lot of my
life running around trying to help others, or influence
others in a positive way only to feel anxious, stressed or even
alone in my efforts to create something meaningful. Maybe
you’ve felt the same…
Well there is an analogy that compares this type of activity
to a Tugboat and a Lighthouse.
The Tugboat and the Lighthouse have very much the
same mission. Each of them are put in place to help save
Boat and guide them into the harbor safely. The Tugboat
will go out and rescue other boats. It will expend a great
amount of energy pushing and pulling boats that are stranded
and helping them get into shore. The tugboat provides an
amazing service and is responsible for helping many boats in
distress. However the tugboat needs to apply pressure and
energy to basically force these “stranded” boats into safe
harbor.
The Lighthouse, on the other hand, stands firmly at the shore.
It shines it light as a message to the passing
boats in order to help them avoid the rocks and dangerous pitfalls
that they may otherwise end up crashing and sinking on. The
lighthouse does not need to go out and force the boats to do
anything. It simply focuses on shining its light and allows
the boats in the distance to choose whether or not they will
follow its light and safely make it ashore.
This message really impacted me personally, and I think it can
help share a very powerful message with you as well.
Whether you are focused on creating better relationships,
sharing your message or products with the world, or simply
becoming a better version of yourself. It might be
helpful for you to practice the lessons taught in this example.
Learn to be more of a lighthouse to the world. Learn to
share your value and message with others, but allow others to
choose whether they will accept or benefit from what you
have to offer. Nothing obtained through
force, coercion or even pressure will ever last, and
most times it will not grow and develop into something
strong unless it does it on its own.
In life, I have often felt that…and maybe you’ve heard
this phrase…”if it's going to be, it’s up to me”. But,
I’ve learned that that doesn’t mean that you need to
force things to happen in your life. Yes, work hard, take
massive action, and pursue your dreams and goals. But, also learn
to leave space for attraction, and learn to be at peace with the
results in your life when they don’t turn out exactly as you
intended them to turn out.
This requires you to develop a few key characteristics
that a partner of mine, Robert Stuberg, always reminds me of…
You need to learn to focus on and develop:
-
Faith- Believe that there is a reason and a purpose for everything even if you don’t yet understand what that reason is.
-
Courage- Believe that you can overcome whatever challenges come your way and that every event in your life only has the meaning you give it.
-
Resolve- Believe that quitting equals failure and that you are committed to your path in life.
-
Compassion- Believe that helping others equals success and that you can only control the message you share with the world.
-
Gratitude- Believe that it is a miracle that you showed up here on planet earth and learn to be love and appreciate what you have been given.
I hope that you can start your week
with this message in mind, and that you can find a way to
create peace of mind in your day, your week and your life.
Learn to find comfort in the values and principles that
you believe in and stop letting the outside world influence,
direct or control your day to day activities. This is my goal
for you.
Remember, that it’s never too late to start living the
life you were meant to live. That begins with today.
Have a great day.
George Wright III