If Only...

Why is it that two of the greatest things in life also cause some of the greatest pain?

People and money.

As a business, you need both to survive. Without people who buy what you're selling, you have no business. And if you don't make enough money, you go out of business (or if you mismanage your money).

As an individual, you need both to enjoy life to its fullest. Sure you can live life alone with no money but how fun would that be? Money allows you to be more of who you are and people magnify life's greatest joys.

When people are happy and money is flowing, life and business is good!

When people are unhappy and money is scarce, life sucks (to put it lightly).

When I'm in the dumps, it's easy to think "if only I had better clients." Or "if only I got that larger job." Or "if only I could make a little more money." Or "if only they did what they said they would do."

"Then everything would be perfect."

But here's the thing. Money and people can't make me feel a certain way. Only I can make me feel a certain way.

It's not the money that makes me feel shitty. It's how I'm interpreting the situation.

It's not the unhappy person who makes me feel shitty. It's how I internalize what that person is unhappy about.

Maybe these situations are just opportunities in disguise. Maybe they're signs. Maybe everything is happening for me. Maybe God has a much larger plan for me.

Maybe people and money aren't causing the pain at all. Maybe my interpretation is causing the pain.

Maybe all I need to do is shift my focus.