A friend whose dealing with a tough personal problem called to offer me advice about a personal situation. The advice was welcome and solid. Yet as I thought of her ready willingness to offer me advice, I also realize this same friend was avoiding her own personal needs. I've done that myself. I've offered advice to others while neglecting issues I was dealing with. That made me realize once again that it's often easier to deal with other's problems than our own. It's tough to face a personal problem head on because to do that requires great discipline, focus, sacrifice, and the acknowledgement that there's work to do.
When we become consumed with other's issues or needs, that can sometimes be an excuse for not dealing with our own issues. It may be a way to avoid and neglect the tough problems we need to deal with. It's important to acknowledge this reality--a reality that I believe we all fall victim to now and then.
How can we work against this? How can we deal with the issues we face head on? What can we do?
First, it's critical to acknowledge the challenges you face. Then we have to figure out how important those challenges are. If the issues are important, then we have to make time to deal with those issues head on and step-by-step. We can do this. Onward.