A few weeks ago I went running, as I usually do. It was a pretty basic run, until I stumbled upon this:
I stopped dead in my tracks and thought, “How nice would it be if life were filled with signs that tell us we’re headed the wrong way?”
Red, white, and blatantly obvious.
Though, life doesn’t work that way. In fact, if it did, I believe it would make us less human. We have the free will to choose where in life we’re headed. Even if it is in the wrong direction.
But isn’t life beautiful in that we can face adversity and come out even strong, happier, and more empowered? Sometimes a wrong turn turns into exactly what we need in order to get us “running” in the right direction again. And that’s what I love about the picture above. Even though the sign is telling me I’m going the wrong way, the light shining down gives me hope. It reminds me that I can always turn around and head the other direction.
I wholeheartedly believe that in every situation we have two choices. We can be kind. Or, we can be unkind. Simple as that. No matter the situation – a conversation with a loved one, a business negotiation, a break up – you can always be kind. Despite what you’re feeling emotionally, you can always be kind and be good. Or, at the very least, be rational.
Being self-seeking, gossiping, spreading lies about others is all easy to do when we’re caught up in ourselves, our needs, our desires, our pride.
Instead, let’s try kindness. I have this feeling that if we’re kind, we’ll in turn get what it is that we ultimately want, need, and desire.
Someone once told me that they live by this mantra, “The good you put out into the world is the good you will get back.” That blew my mind. But, it’s true. Positive, good people want to be around other positive, good people. And, while bad things do still happen to positive, good people, they look at the situation in a different light. To them, it’s just a wrong turn, and sometimes the wrong turns bring them right to where they’re supposed to be.
Not buying it?
Let’s try to apply this concept of spreading good to Newton’s Third Law of Motion:
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
We’ll use the example of a fish swimming through water that I’m going to pull from this website. Yes, we’re bringing it back to the basics.
A fish uses its fins to push water backwards. But a push on the water will only serve to accelerate the water. Since forces result from mutual interactions, the water must also be pushing the fish forwards, propelling the fish through the water. The size of the force on the water equals the size of the force on the fish; the direction of the force on the water (backwards) is opposite the direction of the force on the fish (forwards). For every action, there is an equal (in size) and opposite (in direction) reaction force. Action-reaction force pairs make it possible for fish to swim.
How does this apply?
The energy you put out in the world is going to directly affect those around you. You can put evil in the world and those around you will surely be repelled in the opposite direction. Or, you can put out good and you will propel others to go forward and spread more good.
So, if you’ve taken a wrong turn or have been headed in the wrong direction know that you can rise above. Start with mercy. First, forgive yourself. Then, if needed, forgive whomever hurt you. And then, it’s time to move forward. In the right direction.
Continue running through life and spreading positivity, happiness, and love. Because, it’s your job in this tough life to make up for what negativity others are bringing into this world.
I mean it. We need you.
