Once in a while (or often)... do you walk around with a chip on your shoulder? Do you ever feel that the world (or people) owe you something and therefore ,you are entitled to act in a certain way in the hope to get what you are owed? Breaking news... that kind of attitude will not help solve whatever it is that you want fixed. To have a chip on one's shoulder refers to "the act of holding a grudge or grievance that readily provokes disputation." Sometimes, you may walk with a chip on your shoulder and don't even realize you have one... but it's the way you act and therefore are perceived.
Whenever I sense that feeling slowly creeping over me... I simply have to remind myself that the world doesn't owe me anything. I remind myself of what I have and should be grateful for. If you ever have a sense of something hanging over your head... or feel an ounce of a chip on your shoulder, CATCH YOURSELF! Pause, take a deep breathe and relax... remind yourself who you are and all that you should be grateful for.
Yesterday I attended the Motivate Our Minds (MOM's) 30th anniversary dinner held at Ball State University and I was honored to learn a little bit more about one of the co-founders, Mary Dollison's story as they were celebrating legacy, leadership and love. (Fun fact: Mary was recently awarded the WIBU* Lifetime Achievement Award). Anyway, when Monique Armstrong (MOM's Executive Director) spoke she emphasized that love conquers all. MOM serves the local community families--parents/guardians and children with the love and respect that they deserve. "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:12-13). What a great reminder! Love can remove (and avoid) any chip(s) on your shoulder!
So when I woke up this morning, and I thought about how it is easy to walk around with a chip on your shoulder and forget that love covers a multitude of sins and truly conquers all things. You really don't need to walk about with that kind of attitude. Granted, sometimes it looks like you are walking around with a chip on your shoulder, but it depends on who you interact with, how you act in their presence and the environment you are in. Be genuine in all your interactions with people no matter where you are. The other day, a wonderful lady said she was telling her husband that she thought I was a genuine person and I answered: "Thank you. What you see is what you get. :)" It takes practice and being intentional to not walk about or act like you have a chip on your shoulder. To be you. I am always in the school of learning--as you are--and they say: practice, practice, practice.
I am excited and thankful about today's thought because it just reminded me to walk tall and high, and not to hold anything against someone who may walk about as if they have a chip on their shoulder. To be honest, you (and I) are in no position to judge anyone about having a chip on their shoulder because that could just be your (or my) perception--and therefore untrue. Even if it is true that someone has a chip on their shoulder, your response and attitude towards them should be love. "Hatred stirs up strife (conflict, contentions), But love covers all sins (wrongs)." (Proverbs 10:12) "He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends." (Proverbs 17:9) Practice :)
Smile :) Today, walk, act and respond in love... with no chip on your shoulder! No matter what happens... it could be worse... refocus, regroup and enjoy the life that you have been blessed with... embrace the challenges and find a way to overcome and be victorious. You are not a victim and therefore, you don't have to carry the weight of a chip on your shoulder!
*WIBU: Women in Business Unlimited is a local organization in Muncie, Indiana... if you are local and have never been to their monthly luncheon, visit them one day and you will never stop going :)
