We all have obstacles between where we are and where we want to be. What differentiates us is how we respond to them. This quote from David Brinkley is spot on: “A successful man is the one that can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”
So what do you do with your bricks? You can . . .
- Carry them around in your backpack all the time, constantly bruising yourself with negative commentary.
- Toss them aside and forget about them.
- Or, build a firm foundation with them, extracting as much usefulness as possible.
Even though they’re sharp around the edges and cause pain upon impact, most bricks have some positive value. We can usually find some constructive ideas even in the harshest of criticisms. We can use that annoying traffic delay to have a quality conversation with our kids. Even in our grief, we can reflect on a tragic experience and resolve to learn from it.
Use your bricks for all you can. Don’t carelessly toss them aside, but don’t carry them around either. Spend a few minutes reflecting on the situation. Analyze it. Learn what you can. Keep building your foundation.
Follow Us!
