Idaho Falls

September 2018

Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1016972

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 84 of 87

The study of crab behavior reveals profound life lessons. If you were to observe one crab in an uncovered bucket, it is likely that before long that crab would make its way to the rim of the pail and escape. However, if there's more than one crab in the open container, none of the crabs escape on their own. When one tries to crawl up the side, the others grab it and pull it back down, so it will share the same fate as the rest of the crabs. If a crab contin- ues to attempt the escape, the other crabs may pull off one of his legs to keep him in the bucket. Crabs in an open bucket will stay in that bucket regardless of the oppor- tunity to escape. Why wouldn't the other crustaceans have the instinct to watch how one of their peers escape, discover how it can be done and use the same techniques? Strangely, they are more interested in keeping everyone in the bucket. Eradicating the crab mentality among crabs seems to be an obvious solution. Unfortunately, human nature often reflects the same sort of behavior. We often find ourselves participating in a crab grabbing scenario. If one tries to improve or dream big dreams, others may try to drag them back down to share their fate, the prover- bial crab bucket. Sometimes we are being pulled and perhaps sometimes we may find ourselves on the pulling end. The crab mentality seems to be a result of envy, "if I can't have it, neither can you". Envy is directed at what another has and a desire to spoil it. It is the urge to destroy what is the highest good for another. Jealousy cannot tolerate the fullness of the cup of another, so it tries to destroy another's full cup to ensure that all cups are empty. Common manifestations of envy are gossip- ing, faultfinding, criticism and backbiting. A common theme in my life has been, "It takes guts to leave the ruts". Now I will add, "To make life drab, live like the bucket of crabs". Success isn't easy, and you may not succeed as much as you like, but you will never share the same fate as those who never try. When you strive for excellence, don't be surprised if some try to pull you down. Recognize it for what it is and keep climb- ing. Never allow the crab mentality of others to stop you from improving and achieving. If you ever find yourself trying to pull someone else down, remember this: the achievement of another in no way limits or detracts from your success. For years I have used an object lesson I created. I take two candles and a match. I light one candle until the flame is burning high. I then light the second candle with the flame of the first, demonstrating that when you light someone else's candle, it doesn't diminish your own flame. The flame of your own candle remains just as big or bigger than the candle you lit. A candle loses nothing when it lights another. The same is true with people. We lose nothing when we help and encourage another. The more we develop an abundance mentality, the more genuinely we will share in the joy of others' success, achievements, well-being and good fortune. You will dis- cover that others' success adds to, rather than detracts, from your life. The greater your abundance mentality is elevated, the less envy you will experience. No more crab mentality! Avoid the bucket of mediocrity. You were designed to achieve success. Moral of the story: Ignore the crabs, in this case, the naysayers, the jealous, the envi- ous. Vigorously charge ahead and do what is right for you. The instinct of crabs is a lesson in mediocrity. None of us were wired to be mediocre. There is more than enough abun- dance and success for everyone. IDAHOFALLSMAGAZINE.COM 85 FUEL THE TANKS OF LIFE | CELEBRATE LIFE n BY SUSAN STUCKI IF Climbing out of the Crab Bucket Mentality

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Idaho Falls - September 2018