Reflection before I turn 30: Countdown to Boomerangs (Week 2)

Throw a boomerang.

Go ahead, and find one. I will wait.

Have you thrown one, yet?

I'm guessing you haven't, and just would rather go on reading this blog. But, if you did or have tried throwing one in the past you may have discovered that it is rather difficult to throw. Furthermore, it is even more difficult for it to be returned. It takes skill, and most Aussies, nickname for Australians, take years to practice curving that boomerang back towards them.

And, the Boomerang Principle does take skill, and patience learning - just like learning how to properly throw a boomerang.

I first learned this principle when I bought the book by Dr John C. Maxwell titled Winning with People: Discover The People Principles That Work For You Everytime.  When I purchased this book, it wasn't my initial intention to buy it. In fact, I was planning to buy another business book. I don't know what prompted me the beginning semester of 2008, but I am glad that I did.

This book exposed me to Dr. Maxwell's world, and I learned a great deal of business that has only been supplemented by other books. One of the key elements that I have learned about business is that it isn't just dependent upon numbers but the people who run the business. In fact, Dr. Maxwell's philosophy is this: "Everything rises and falls on leadership".

Great leaders require us to train, mentor, understand and become examples towards people who are following you. I have discovered the best leaders care for both the people in their organization but also the people outside their organization. Though this is a people training book, this book can be used for business. I have used this book both through my personal life and professional life. It has greatly benefited me in both aspects.

Though I don't remember every principle listed in this book, the one principle that has greatly helped
me throughout my life is the principle regarding boomerangs.

Now, there is a great story that Dr. Maxwell shares regarding his father; and the rude people who worked alongside him. I suggest you pick up the book to read about it. But, the jist of the principle is "when we help others, we help ourselves".

Throughout our lives we will encounter people we won't get along, and people who will disparage us. It is easy for us to throw grudges; and judge those people. It is a human fault, and it is one that is hard to overcome. I, for one, am a forgiving person; and I do have my limitations to how many times I can forgive a person. But, the thing about the Boomerang Principle is that it taught me to continuously do good to people even though they may hurt you in the process. In time, they will return that kindness back to you. I can testify to you that it works!

In the military, I had a person that would continuously harass me and disparage me making me feel lonely. In fact, there were times I contemplated suicide over it because I felt alone and unhappy. However, I remembered this principle; and it helped me. I never talked back to this person, instead I would always act with kindness; and though it took two years before we started getting along, I learned a valuable lesson that when you act with kindness it will be returned - it will require patience.

Contention breeds hate, but kindness lasts eternally in the mind of others. What I liked about this principle is that aligns along with one of my favorite movies. In the movie Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe, there is a quote that Proximo teaches Maximus to win his freedom.

Proximo quotes: "I didn't win, because I killed quickly....win the crowd, win your freedom".

Those words, "win the crowd, win your freedom" has stuck by me these many years. Only reading Dr. Maxwell's book did I understand what winning the crowd means. This is different than pleasing people.

Pleasing people means that you change for those people so that you will fit in. Sometimes, you sacrifice parts of yourself leading towards an unhappy path. But, "winning the crowd" is different. You don't change. You return their attacks with kindness; and show them something that they have never seen or didn't expect. In other words, it is meant to inspire. Inspiration is stronger than unhappiness. When a person inspires they win the mob as did Maximus, and "have an army greater than Rome's".

I have applied these lessons to my life, and though I have been alone for most my life, I can testify that these principles are true. I just don't preach a principle, I have lived the principle.

Remember these two principles from this week's reflection: "Win the crowd" and "Boomerangs work". The steeper the price of inspiration the more priceless is your influence.

These lessons I look forward to taking with me into the new decade as I learn how to "win the crowd" better. It isn't over has this is my countdown to boomerangs.

An important reflection before I hit 30.

Journal's note: Next week, I will be talking how ants have helped teach me valuable lessons this past decade. Stay tuned!