Frustration or Compassion

On the spectrum of gaining of provision there are two extremes. Either everything is a fight, or everything is a gift. On any given day we all land somewhere on this spectrum. Think of the hardest days at work - where every lead is a dead end, communication is challenging at best, and we feel like no matter what we do nothing will come of it. Now think of the best of days - where leads close on there own, communication is smooth and seemingly effortless, and we feel like no matter what we do, good things will continue to fill the day.

If we believe that we are actually in control of everything, then the hardest days will plant seeds of frustration. They might grow into contempt, and finally we may have a spirit of animosity in us. One that regardless of any situation (including the easiest of days) we may find ourselves distressed at the things we don’t like, that don’t match our preferences, and the harshness of the challenges we face.

If we believe that we are not in control of everything, then the hardest of days draw us closer to the values we lean on, the worldview we carry, and the resilience we glean from them. They might plant seeds of compassion (for those in even harder times), humility (for the realization of how little we actually are), and thankfulness (for what we do have, no matter how big or small). These are seeds that can grow and whose impact can spill over into the lives of those around us even in the easiest of days.