In the grand, often confusing, sometimes messy adventure that is life, we all play a variety of roles. Some days, we’re the fearless leaders, charting a course through the unknown seas of "What’s for Dinner?" and "Which Netflix Series Tonight?" Other days, we’re the loyal followers, happily marching to the beat of someone else’s drum because, frankly, their playlist is just better.
But let’s get down to the real questions: Are you a blamer or a solution-seeker? Do you undermine or uplift? And most importantly, can you navigate the world leaving it a smidgen better, all while maintaining a sense of humor? Let’s dive in—with both seriousness and a wink.
Leader or Follower
Being a leader doesn’t always mean standing at the front of the line with a megaphone and a battle plan for organizing the most epic neighborhood yard sale. Sometimes, it’s about quietly setting an example by choosing the reusable shopping bags at the grocery store, much to the chagrin of the twelve bananas trying to escape your grasp.
And being a follower? That’s not about mindlessly nodding along to every idea. It’s about recognizing when someone has a brilliant plan for fitting that oversized couch through a too-small door and thinking, “Yep, I don’t have a better idea, nor a magic wand, so lead on!”
The Blame Game
When things go awry, as they often do—like when you find out your dog has developed a taste for couch cushions—it’s tempting to play the blame game. “Who left the dog alone with the couch?!” But let’s be honest, unless the dog can articulate a well-thought-out defense, this game is going nowhere.
Instead, why not join the Solution Squad? It’s like the Avengers, but instead of fighting intergalactic warlords, you’re brainstorming ways to keep Fido entertained that don’t involve upholstery. It’s proactive, it’s productive, and best of all, it usually doesn’t require spandex suits.
Undermining vs.Uplifting
Ah, undermining—the not-so-noble act of watching someone try to build a sandcastle and then casually mentioning that a tsunami (in the form of a toddler) is headed straight for it. Sure, it can be funny in the moment, but the aftermath is a lot of metaphorical (and sometimes literal) cleanup.
On the flip side, there’s the craft of uplifting. It’s seeing that same sandcastle-builder and saying, “Hey, why don’t we build a moat around it? Also, here’s a flag.” It’s about adding to the world, not taking away. Plus, building stuff is just plain fun.
Leaving the World a Bit Better
So, how do we navigate this world in a way that leaves it better, even if just a bit? It starts with humor. Laugh at the absurdity of life, like when you accidentally send a text meant for your best friend to your grandma (Sorry, Grandma, I didn’t really mean to invite you to dye your hair purple, but you’d probably rock it!).
Then, add a heart. Offer kindness without expectation, like returning the shopping cart for someone or giving genuine compliments (Yes, Kevin, your new haircut does make you look like a dashing movie star, and no, not just in a low-budget, straight-to-DVD kind of way).
In Conclusion: Be a Humorous, Heartful Human
In the end, whether we lead or follow, blame or solve, undermine or support, let’s do it with humor and heart. Let’s be the kind of people who make others secretly think, “I’m glad they’re in my world.” Because life is too short to be anything but kind, too funny to be taken too seriously, and far too weird not to enjoy the ride.
So, leader or follower, blamer or solver, underminer or supporter—whichever you are, be the version that laughs, loves, and leaves a trail of giggles and good vibes in your wake. Because that’s how we all win, one smidgen at a time.
Remember, every day is a chance to flip the script:
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