InspirEmail

InspirEmail No 236 - July 9th, 2012 - If you're in a hole, stop digging
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'

If you're in a hole, stop digging

Most of us have lied to get out of trouble. From childhood denials . . . 'It wasn't me!' to adult fabrications . . . 'The cheque is in the mail.'

What seem like harmless falsehoods easily fall from our tongues. And then we make up more excuses or tell more lies to protect the first one. Soon the 'cover-up' is more serious and credibility-damaging than whatever we lied about in the first place.

The natural tendency to avoid discomfort makes our lives more difficult in other ways as well. Some people damage or endanger their most important relationships at home or work by failing to acknowledge and deal with small problems that then fester into serious ones.

Here's a useful piece of advice: 'When you're in a hole, stop digging.'

Whether our problems are of our own making or not, whether we know exactly how to resolve them or not, the first step is to stop making things worse. Stop making excuses. Stop blaming others. Stop ignoring our strong and persistent feelings. And stop dismissing and discounting what others are telling us about their needs and feelings.

Once we stop digging, we can work on getting out of the hole. It may take more honest self-reflection, self-restraint or simple will power. Perhaps we have to adjust our schedules or simply be more attentive and considerate. Sometimes the best thing to do is ask for help and someone will throw us a rope.

Like so many aspects of character, this is often easier said than done. But when we manage our lives thoughtfully and with integrity, things do get better.

Written by Michael Josephson
To learn more about the work of Michael Josephson, please visit . . . Whatwillmatter >>>

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A monthly positive inspirational story and quote to refresh your spirit and boost the emotional bank account. InspirEmail was first published in November 2005 and each issue can be viewed in the Archived InspirEmail Directory located below the latest issue of InspirEmail


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