Is what you cherish the most or what has been put in your care, about to be yanked by the you -know- what? You may think the resulting reaction when this is yanked, is the sound of pleasure…the oohs and ahhhs…but not so fast. It could as well be the sound of…boohoos and wahwahs…a stinging cry for help.
What do you personally love the most? What is that thing that’s so important to you that you are ready, willing and able to give up everything else up for it -regardless of what it may cost you?
Is it your spouse? Your child? Your work? Your dog? (for the animal lovers). For a nation, your healthcare, your policies, or most importantly may be your democracy? Your values whether personal or national- decency, truth, love, justice, dignity, faith, purpose, those aged long traditions that have made things work seamlessly for you over the years and what have you.
How do you preserve what has been entrusted to you or do that which is naturally expected of you because of the impact it has or will have on you, your relationships around you or the larger population for the greater good of all?
Related: 15 Top Tips To Improving Interpersonal Relationships
As the head of a family, it’s your duty and obligation to protect your members. As a friend, you have a moral duty (but not a legal obligation) to protect your friends. So under the law in this regard, you are covered albeit to an extent– (hooray or yay?). -But I urge you to you look out for your friends regardless. Now, double yay!
As a head of a business or work group, you have a duty of good faith to make good decisions to bring about a common good for your subordinates. As a head of a people group or church, you want to nurture and guide your members and your own heart so you don’t fall into a stupor or allow the Spirit of Error overtake the core of your message and it’s very essence to destroy it.
As the head of a nation or any governmental institution, you have a duty to serve the people, hold in honor your oath of office, protect your democracy -if you are lucky to have one and have some self respect and discipline.
So how do you lose that thing as an individual, head of a group or a nation?
-You lose what you are a custodian of when you allow it be taken away from you either out of pressure, bullying, fear, retribution, complacency, sheer ignorance, or by willful gaslighting.
Related: Are You A victim of Gaslighting? What To Do About It
And guess what?
No one has to take it away from you because they are rich and you are poor. Also, the fact that a person is poor and you are rich doesn’t mean they can’t attempt to take it from you regardless of your wealth.
It is a level ground.
If that were not true, little young girls would not give away their virginity to little boys. “Love” or may be “infatuation” may be the culprit, but it’s certainly not money that make them do it (and this is not to advocate for such behaviors, it’s just what we see in everyday society).
But good news!
You can preserve what’s most precious to you or the very thing that has been entrusted in your care but is now hanging in the balance.
But how?
5 Things You Can Do To Preserve What You Cannot Afford To Lose:
As long as it’s within your control;
1. Cry out
Cry out? How?
By listening to your own echo and at the same time letting it ring out to others-The echo of truth. The echo of your voice urging and nudging you to do the right thing and making a decision to follow that path no matter the obstacle that comes your way.
Don’t be complacent or complicit.
Don’t shift positions or make rash decisions based on probabilities, what-ifs or a fear of something that may never happen. You know what is right. Do it.
2. Put your head in the game
Focus is the name of the game.
Drown out every voice and stay focused. The power someone else has over you is the one you give to them. This might not be true for the dynamics between parents and children though. You need parental “power” to guide your child in the right path, otherwise, they may end up where you don’t like to see them down the line.
For your colleagues at work who make things difficult, love but ignore their idiosyncrasy- for your own sanity.
For businesses, train and rehabilitate your workers for greater output. Are you in the media industry, (I know bad news gain more traction which means more money or may be T.V ratings) ignore the toxic and porous noise, and focus on the goal. Not every story has to be amplified. What you amplify, you give room to fester and the effect of that could be disastrous and damaging.
Giving such messages a platform, may also end up being an existential threat to your own right of freedom of the press.
As an individual, starve that dangerous thing that’s trying to take away what you cherish- like your peace of mind. Give it no attention till it dries up.
Let’s talk some “legalese”…
If you are in government and you are reading this, as you already know, for true government institutions, democracy is the goal and most prized possession of any nation. If it’s threatened, do all you can to protect it.
And nothing destroys the government of a nation as fast as CORRUPTION (A.K.A Quid Pro Quo). It’s like cancer that eats deep into the fabric of any society- and don’t be too confident, even those with long standing, ageless democracy are not immune to this threat. It’s not only potently contagious, it is highly dangerous.
Countries all over the world that have a lame duck or struggling democracies can never amount to anything. A failing or failed democracy is the reason why many flee their countries for greener pastures or for the sole reason of saving their very lives. That’s why the choice of leaders by the people is very important and these choices have dire consequences.
Pssst…if you are lucky to live in a country where democracy reigns, that’s your most prized possession. Once it’s gone, it’s a downward spiral from then on.
If what it takes is for you to blow the whistle…do it. Be active in carrying out your civic duties. Do all you can to keep it.
3. Hold It Tenaciously
Make up your mind to never let go. If it’s within your control, hold on tightly. Never let what you cherish the most out of your sight. If something is dear to you, you would not only fight for it, you would do all you can to protect it.
However, know when to pause and draw the line when the stakes are high to find a common ground. In doing this however, be sure that your intent or motive of protecting when you choose to protect are not negative or for selfish reasons.
Related: 3 Things To Do To Increase Your Level of Productivity
4. Value it
Value cannot be over rated. Whatever is classified as something that is valued, is priceless. You cannot put a price tag on it. Most times, you do not know the value of what you have till it’s lost. Value what you have and protect it as far as it lies with you.
5. Don’t Be Afraid
Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and what you believe in. Be a good example to your kids, friends, workers and colleagues. Don’t be afraid even if you are standing alone for what you know is right. The path of truth and justice could be lonely sometimes.
Still stand.
Related: 10 Practical Ways To Overcome Anxiety
Bonus points:
-Ensure you are not the one shooting yourself in the foot by taking away what you hold so dearly by yourself. That will be a self sabotage.
-Self sabotage is not only a pathway but a highway to self destruction.
-You can avoid self sabotage by looking at the bigger picture and pursing what truly matters.
-When it’s beyond your control, pray and be sure you are doing what is right.
-Anything legitimate (not illegitimate) is the right thing to do.
How are you going to preserve what you cannot afford to lose?
Relationship Tip – To improve your relationships with others, ask the question: Is this necessary, is this kind, does it edify?
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