Submission

We are in a day and time where we are overloaded and overwhelmed with information. We don't know who or what to believe. Everyone thinks they have the answer, but do they? Who should we listen to? What should we listen to ?

    These are questions I am sure most of us ask ourselves on a fairly consistent basis. If we listen to others, we want to make sure they know what they are talking about, right? It just makes sense  that we want to do things right the first time to the best of our ability and with the best instructions possible.

   

    Finding a credible source of information these days can be challenging, but it is out there. It takes a true submission to really follow and believe someone's every instruction that is trying to lead you in the right direction. It may not just be one person. Sometimes a person's instruction can be right, but just not right for you or your current situation. You might have to follow up with information from additional sources.

    

    The one word for someone who you can submit to is easy: Trust. If you end up trusting this person (or group of people) they prove themselves honest, credible, etc. Trust is something that has to be earned. I have seen people lead others and make a wrong decision, but due to the built up trust established,  the followers had faith that the leader's next decision would be on target.

 

    On the other hand, there is another type of people that we should never be submissive to. These are the people that criticize your efforts. Remember there is constructive criticism that can help you. but negative criticism can stop you in your tracks if you let it. Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."  It is important not to listen to negative opinions when they come your way. The minute you start believing what others say to or about you, is the minute you let them start writing your destiny. I have seen others criticized by people and end up accomplishing remarkable achievements. It seems sometimes like the minute we try something, naysayers instantly come out of the woodwork. Well, if people come out of nowhere to criticize you, it is obvious your efforts are making some noise. People that act on the opinions of everyone else will not accomplish much in life. Aristotle said, "To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing". That knowledge applied then and definitely applies today.

 

    Neither way, positive or negative, it is imperative that we choose who and what we submit our lives to. We should never be slaves to other's thoughts and opinions. I have learned that when someone tells you that "it can't be done" that they are usually measuring the obstacle based on their own efforts. They could never do it so they sure do not want to see you do it. When you find someone that is all for you and putting a positive impact in your life, you know that is someone worth holding onto. That kind of person comes few and far between.