Rumi was not talking about surrounding ourselves... | christine e. middleton

christine e. middleton

By day... dot connector. brand + positioning strategist. In between hours... student of life. truth seeker. dog lover w/ appreciation of all things culture, design, art, and travel.

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Rumi was not talking about surrounding ourselves with people who are good at blowing smoke (or telling us what we want to hear).
Instead, the meaning is about creating a circle of trust with only those who are trustworthy, truthful, want the best for...

Rumi was not talking about surrounding ourselves with people who are good at blowing smoke (or telling us what we want to hear).

Instead, the meaning is about creating a circle of trust with only those who are trustworthy, truthful, want the best for us, candid, and actively support us through action (not just words).

We all need people like this but often we allow people, who are 100% “takers,” into our lives leading to feelings of betrayal, deceit, loss, anger and more.

To avoid being a “taker”:

•   Give respect to everyone who crosses our paths, report to, live with (regardless of how we feel).

•   Have compassion for those around us - we’re all hurting on some level.

•   Remember adversaries or “difficult people” are often individuals carrying lessons WE need to learn about ourselves.

•   Intentionally seek people who are steps ahead of us from whom we can learn about life (including work) and love. 

•   Forgive along the way so we don’t become imprisoned.

•   Actively look for ways we can help make someone’s day easier/better.

Rumi’s quote is also about:

1. Believing in ourselves.

The key words – “Set your life on fire" – means taking responsibility for our own lives, believing in ourselves (even in the unknown), and stepping out of comfort zones to live with passion.

To do this, we must be willing to see life as an adventure where success is about finding our greatest gift, passion and purpose, and using that to make this world a better in some way. (Otherwise, who is investing in us and why?)

2. Reinvesting in others. 

A third of the quote is about stepping out into the world with passion. The second third is about finding the right supporters that lift us up.

The final third is implied and completes the quote…

It is the act of becoming both a beacon in this world… AND a flame "fanner” for someone else. Giving back to others just as you are receiving is a huge part of leadership. 

Sound like fluff?

Usher and Shakira both talked with Oprah last night about helping others as coaches on The Voice, but more importantly their recognition of giving back to others through their non-profits. They have been supported and worked hard and continue to try to reach new heights. In the midst of it all they are fanning the flames of many kids through education and leadership support.

This is not as a PR stunt to offset bad behavior (and maybe in Usher’s case to make up for it), but to use their gain – lessons learned, support and forgiveness, and resources they’ve received along the way – to help others.

This IS leadership and the type of positive influence we can all become today no matter where we are in life.

Notes

  1. loveonlylasts3years reblogged this from cemiddleton
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  4. rbwjr reblogged this from cemiddleton and added:
    Yes!
  5. cemiddleton posted this

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