MOST of us seek approval. How often I’ve seen a child or maybe an adult rushing home from school or work, eyes all aglow, “I’ve done well in my exam!” shouts the child to his parents, “I’ve got a fantastic order today!” says the man to his wife and they both stare with disappointment with reaction they get, “You’re supposed to do well anyway!” say the parents to the child, “Hope this order covers our rent!” sniffs wife to husband.
There was a hunter who came into the possession of a special bird dog. The dog was the only one of its kind, because it could walk on water.
One day he invited a friend to go hunting with him so that he could show off his prized possession. After some time, they shot a few ducks, which fell into the river.
The man ordered his dog to run and fetch the birds. The dog ran on the water to fetch the birds. The man was expecting a compliment about the amazing dog, but did not receive it. Being curious, he asked his friend if the friend had noticed anything unusual about the dog.
The friend replied, “Yes, I did see something unusual about your dog. Your dog can’t swim..!”
We always think there’s a crowd out there cheering us on as we win don’t we? But no, people are so busy bogged down by negativity they have no time to applaud! You want to seek approval? First have a look at the people, the whiners and complainers from whom you expect approval:
Moans one bitterly: “Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock!” and then weeps: “To Err is human, to forgive is not a COMPANY policy!” He doesn’t stop, does he: “The road to success.. is always under construction!” Poor fellow, listen to what else he has to say about life:
“In order to get a Loan, you first need to prove you don’t need it!” “All the desirable things in life are either illegal, expensive or fattening!” “If at first you don’t succeed….
Destroy all evidence you ever tried!” “You can never determine which side of the bread to butter.
If it falls down, it will always land on the buttered side and also anything dropped on the floor will roll over to the most inaccessible corner!”
“He who has the gold, makes the rules —— Murphy’s golden rule!” “If you come early, the bus is late.
If you come late…the bus is still late!” “Once you’ve bought something, you will find the same item being sold somewhere else at a cheaper rate!” “When in a queue, the other line always moves faster and the person in front of you will always have the most complex of transactions!”
Those are the people out there! Dejected and disappointed! Who can’t bear it when you win, because they’re so dejected by negativity.
And if you’re going to look to them for praise, it won’t be long before you join them too! So when you do something good, something brilliant don’t ask for approval; just give yourself a pat on the back, maybe a hefty thump of appreciation and carry on winning…!
