“The wall we build
around us to keep out the sadness also keep out the joy.”
– Jim Rohn
(1930-2009)
Author / Speaker
A young man
who I was coaching came to me with a question.
He was fairly new to coaching and wanted to start his own practice. His desire was sincere and he really wanted
to help people and add value to their lives.
To do this he decided to focus on the things he felt would make him
better. He studies and read everything
he could find on coaching and personal development. He worked hard at maintaining a positive
attitude, to the point where he disconnected himself from the world and all the
negative elements that are there. What
was his question? Simple, "Why am I
so miserable?"
There are many in this world who
believe that the best way to keep away from the hurt and negativity that is
around them is to build walls of separation.
They do not allow themselves to be touched by the things of the world
nor the people in it. This will always
lead to loneliness and pain. In a desperate
attempt to keep yourself untouched, you become untouchable. This is really a bad misunderstanding about
what it means to be separate from the negative things in life.
As Christians I have heard
people state that God has called them to be separate from the world. This is a long running story in the Church
going back to the early monks who would lock themselves away. Where I agree that we are not to live as the
world lives, we are to in this world.
Remember that you are the salt and light that God has placed in the
world. We are the change makers who
bring hope and victory to a hurting and lost world. We are to be in the world but the world is
not to be in us.
Here is a fact, you need other
people and they need you. Will that mean
that you have to associate with those who are negative and living in sin? Yes it does.
Jesus Himself associated with sinners and the ungodly. The thing is, they were not the same with Him
in their lives, He was not changed by them.
Likewise, you are to make a difference in the lives of others, not them
making a difference in you. You are not
there to bring judgment and wrath. You
are there to bring hope, love, acceptance and to give freely what the Lord has
given freely to you.
Do not hide from the world
around you. There is a lot of pain and
negativity out there but there is a lot of wonderful things as well. For one, the world is filled with people who
Jesus loved so much He was willing to die for them. The least we can do is live with them. A positive attitude, winning spirit and godly
life all come from within us, not from the outside.
You matter to the world. You are here to make a difference and that
difference is good. Remember the
qualities of a real success-minded person: Be your best. Love God.
Have good manners. Discover the unknown.
Change the world.
John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker,
and Life Coach. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books,
training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our
website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.
© 2014 John
Patrick Hickey
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