Lesson of the Week: Don’t Be Like the Enemy
“The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.” -Marcus Aurelius
As much as we wish some people would change, many will always be stuck in their own ways. We are not in any control of their actions or attitudes, we are our own responsibility. This is why it is important to absorb the words of Marcus Aurelius and never dip to the lows of our enemies. Success is excellent for revenge; but realigning your spirit, being a service to others, and reinforcing the pathway to achieve success are ways to rise above our opposition.
By now, it’s been thrown in our face how truly precious life is and that our status provides no insurance. Nevertheless our emotions, ego, and free-will pin us against a wall and distract us with insignificant influences. These influences don’t allow us to optimize our day to day effort, they oppose the effort. People are affected by what others say or do, because human nature does not always decipher good spirit from spitefulness. The quality of conversation is sadly becoming more obsolete, it’s more about the signaling. This is where our enemies can manipulate the conversation to hedge their benefit, as they seek to invert authenticity with harsh reality. Constructive criticism comes from a support system that not does merely expose our flaws, but provides a variety of options to work towards. The opposition will blast you with notions that will trip you up in running through life in a step by step process. Notice, if they trip you, they are clearly running behind you.
We must resist running behind people, and instead pace beside them. The enemy will stand behind you for two reasons: for floatation when success reaches the finish line, or unhitch when the plan goes off course. Not allowing these assumed advocates to merely follow you requires good judgment in others, but to not become the assumed advocate requires good judgment in yourself. We must desire to realign our spirit with what cultivates our liberties and virtues. Do not be a false prophet for others’ plans, and instead be a service to them. Provide them with reinforcement if things are on point, but do not walk beside them in hesitation if things are not well. Find the balance, keep up the pace, continue to be beside them when the plan is reinforced towards a straight path, and navigate with them towards the destination. Do not be like the enemy.