Who Is The Problem?
Cheryl and I were out of town recently and visited a local farmer’s market. I was eying the homemade, organic cookie booth while Cheryl looked for healthier options like tomatoes. I also used the time as a people-watching opportunity. (Almost better than cookies…not chocolate chip mind you, but certainly some cookies.)
Anyway, I couldn’t help but pick up on the argument taking place next to me. There was a lady trying to buy some potatoes. The seller couldn’t get the quantity to meet her expectations. It was either too heavy or too light. He was trying to cheat her. Nothing was fair at this booth, in her opinion. There wasn’t really fifty cents difference, but you would have thought it was fifty dollars based on her reaction. She became mad. After a few minutes, she kept her money, left the potatoes, and kept walking. I couldn’t believe how irate she became over potatoes.
I decided to follow for a few minutes…just curious what she would do.
I know, sounds weird, but I was chasing a theory.
Sure enough, just as I suspected, everywhere she went there was a problem. No one treated her fairly, in her opinion. At each booth there was a problem, and the problem was the person at the booth…again…in her opinion.
My theory…which I believe she helped prove:
If you seem to have a problem with everyone, the problem could be you.
By the way, that’s true for all of us. Sometimes when we complain, pitch a fit, lose our patience, kick the dirt up…
Whatever your phrase…
No one likes us. No one treats us fairly. Everyone….you know…finish the sentence…
Sometime the problem isn’t everyone else. Sometimes the problem is us.
Recognizing when that is true and admitting it, seeking help if there’s a root problem rather than blaming others continually…that is a sign we are growing in maturity.
Can you admit when the problem is you?
