Weekly Spark #177: Take The High Road

If you put yourself out there and pursue the slew of opportunities that come your way, you’ll be subject to high highs and low lows. That’s the tax that comes with living intentionally, passionately, and going all in on the things that you decide to pursue. Inevitably, you will feel a range of emotions from joy, contentment, and fulfillment, to heartbreak, disappointment, and sadness. As much as we like to control our own outcomes, and sure there are many instances that we can, there are others where we exercise no control. Our ego wishes we could, but it simply can’t. Many times, these circumstances will be at the hands of other people. Today’s weekly spark is focused on how we respond to adversity, particularly at the hands of others.

News flash. A lot of these circumstances are going to revolve around other people. You get fired from a job. You get broken up with. Someone else gets the promotion over you. Etc. Etc. How many of these types of scenarios are truly isolated? Very few. Therefore, you have a CHOICE of how you want to respond to them. Again, you can take the high road. Or you can stoop to their level, lower the level of implicit respect that you command, and match.

Many people want to take an opportunity like this to take a cheap shot at someone. It’s tempting. You want to get even. Someone came out and disrespected you and it’s tempting to just lay into them. Give ‘em what they deserve! But what’s the point? At what cost? What do you really gain? The outcome is the outcome. It might feel good for a second, but as you proceed, you’ll feel the guilt and shame that comes with that decision.

My dad has hammered this one home with me from a young age. In sports and everything, in addition to “do your talking on the scoreboard,” it was always “take the high road.” Him and Roger Federer taught me the most about this. Be classy. Be respectable. Behave in a way that will reflect positively on you, regardless of circumstances. Of course, you take the high road and be classy when things are going well. But when they’re not, it’s equally if not more important. Something doesn’t go my way? Someone disrespects me? Mistreats me? Doesn’t appreciate me or things that I’ve done for them? No skin off my back. I’ll kill them with kindness and positivity, and bury them with class and well wishes. You never know how these people might pop up down the road. Unfortunately, someone with a superficial understanding of what I’m describing might be tempted to believe that I’m advocating for being a pushover or walkover. Absolutely not. You command respect by being this way and teach others how to treat you. You don’t give anybody locker room material or leverage over you. When so many things are outside of your control, this is something WELL worth preserving and being mindful of. At the end of the day, your reputation is all you have. Don’t outsource your reputation at work, at school, in the community, or anywhere, to other people. Control that. Take the high road.

Mental Diet

Quote of the Week:

“How people treat you is their karma. How you react is yours.” - Wayne Dyer

I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing. Until next time… Take care of yourself and take care of each other. 🙏

Nathan