We have become experts at diagnosing what everyone else should be doing.
Without hesitation we confidently aver that they should say no this, yes to that, spend more time here, and of course eat more greens. We lament to no one in particular that if people only possessed and applied our supreme perspective they might see their dreams realized. We find ourselves frustrated because we pour so much time and energy into solving other peoples problems only to watch them falter all over again.
The unpleasant truth is that we spend so much time solving everyone else’s problems because it is far easier than addressing our own. For if we can distract ourselves with external issues long enough then we might avoid unpacking our own inadequacies.
“Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You’ve heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.”
We live in the golden age of information, but possess a surprising lack of self-awareness. Ask us to to describe how we came to a decision and we will attempt to bolster a split-second choice with logic and empathy that we only hope was present. It is a willful ignorance that we errantly dismiss because we simply ‘do not have the time.’
What we personally and collectively would benefit from is redirecting our focus from the shortcomings of others to our own. For if we can start to understand ourselves on a deeper level then we will at minimum expand our empathy for the plight of others, but more so begin to glean some grander insight that will benefit us all. And if we individually improve, those around us might suddenly find themselves flush with extra time to improve themselves, no longer expending the same energy worrying about us.
This week let us embrace Paul’s wisdom to stay calm, mind our own business, and do our own jobs.