Well Deserved Recognition

“Mirror mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all.”

Wicked Witch in Snow White

This week former president Bill Clinton negotiated the release of two female journalists from North Korea.  It was a masterful diplomatic coup.  Despite the outcome I read and heard some commentary than was critical of him.   Some speculate about his secret motives, some believe he intends to partner with his wife as secretary of state, and some just dislike him. 

These commentaries are nothing more than schadenfreude, and the kill joys that made them are like the wicked witch in Snow White.  How will we ever find justice and equity in this world if we cannot give credit where credit is due?

It’s hard to look into the mirror and confront what we see.  But it’s necessary to confront ourselves when judgment and ego get in the way of right things. 

Tapping the talents of the best suited for the job ensures that the job will get done.  If we can let go of personalities, assumptions and a bit of our ego then we can solve our problems and accomplish great things.  We all look better when we share the stage with talented and gifted people.  

Looking into the mirror is a good place to start and develop self-reflection.  The mirror reveals what we don’t like to see.  If we can confront our weaknesses without flinching or looking away we can begin to accept our limitations. 

One of our biggest limitations is being a killjoy, being jealous of the success of others especially others we don’t like.   This thinking poisons the environment of every human endeavor, a family, a business, and a school.

The best antidote to schadenfreude is to celebrate the success of others whenever you see it.  It creates a positive energy that will come back to you and endow you with new insights and new perspective. 

It’s important to look into the mirror from time to time.  The mirror doesn’t lie, doesn’t have an opinion, it only shows what you look like at this moment.  Practicing this kind of radical self-acceptance makes it possible to share the stage with everyone.