In a world where competition often takes center stage, it’s easy to fall into the trap of viewing success as a zero-sum game. Some people believe that to rise, they must use those below them as steppingstones, and they look at those above them with envy and a burning desire to reach that elusive level of perfection. But what if there’s a better way—a way that doesn’t involve stepping on others or striving for an unattainable ideal?
I think it’s fair to say that we are all living in what I call a "looking-glass world". And what I mean by this is that today’s climate is one of everyone on a stage trying to portray a perfect life. Everyone’s making reels and videos and capturing the perfect sides of themselves for social media. All of us are trying to influence or sell others the perfect ideal of who to be, how to be, and what to do. We all have the answers (or so we believe). So we bottle it up and market it as best we can.
Now more than ever before, people are trying anything and everything to win in life. We are in overdrive desperation mode because our living climate has made us so. We can’t afford anything anymore because the cost of living has become complete and utter chaos, with no relief in sight. Our world and our lives have just become about finding ways to make as much money as we can, as fast as we can. We can’t afford to care about what’s happening around us because we’re running out of time.
Life has become all about looking down, looking up, and using everyone around us to improve our own situation. We pretend to care about each other, but we may be kidding ourselves. Sure, it sounds like a great ideal and sentiment, but what are we really doing for others?
Here, I’ll prove it. Ask yourself: When was the last time you did something for someone you didn’t even know to uplift them or help them move above you? Meaning, when was the last time that you used your life and did everything you could to raise someone beneath you and propel them forward? And not because it would somehow benefit you in a future situation or because it would bring you financial gain at some point. I mean, truly, when have you ever done something just because?
Now I know what you’re going to say. If circumstances were different or if my finances were better, if my business was in the green sector of progress, I could afford to give to someone else. I could afford to just give my time, energy, or knowledge for nothing—just to better someone’s circumstances. Look, I get it. It’s hard out there, and we are barely surviving on a good day. It’s literally survival of the fittest out on these streets. But who honestly survives if we play the hand that we all do?
Since the beginning of time, it’s been a dog-eat-dog world. Wars have both begun and ended for power and riches over others. That’s just been the way of the world. But maybe it’s time to rewrite it all. Now that the world is in utter chaos, maybe we all need to be strong (and human) enough to fully admit that the past just hasn’t worked out. The way things have always been done just isn’t right.
There are two sectors of individuals we see in our lives. Those who sit beneath us and those positioned above us.
Those below us, are most categorized as harmless and pose no threat to the "life ladder climbing" situation whatsoever. They are less fortunate in all aspects of life. The ones who may have potential but to whom no doors have been opened. They don’t know the right people, they don’t have the right mindset, they don’t have the financial means, and their life environment may not have been a meaningful or fruitful one. They are stuck. So, we use them to keep ourselves motivated in our own lives, within our own goals, and vow to never be like them. We disassociate. We separate ourselves from them in all ways possible. We never wish to be where they are, and we make up reasons or excuses for their circumstances, all the while never really knowing their actual story or truth. We judge and decide all on our own that we don’t want to be like them.
Those above us are an automatic threat in everything! Whether we know them or not is just physics. We judge them also, just in a different way. We assume, we envy, and we get carried away trying to mimic who they are and what they’ve done because somehow it will get us what they have. But sometimes it doesn’t even end there. We will literally bring ourselves to the brink of madness, trying to even supersede the status, wealth, or lifestyle of others to try and attain an even higher level of impossible perfection. A task that may eventually kill us, but we’re happy to strive for it anyway.
And here I thought that humans were supposed to be the greatest creation on earth. Our intelligence separates us from animals. Yet we prove time and time again that those ideas are mere fairy tales, at best.
This blog post is not to suggest that no one is in this life for real change or the betterment of humanity; of course, we aren’t all the same and shouldn’t be painted with the same brush. What I am trying to do is stir up feelings, thoughts and perhaps a bit of fire within you. It's meant to nudge some mindsets a little with what I’m writing here.
It's just never sat right with me that there are so many different circumstances in the world, so I have always been an advocate of change, wherever I can make it. I mean, how can there be so many billionaires out there and yet so many homeless people? Why are there so many people going hungry? I mean, doesn’t that just bother you?
Of course, many will argue that this is all the fault of governmental mismanagement, personal circumstances, and environmental causes. But I’m talking about all of us, as a world, just being okay with that. Why aren’t we doing more just to do more? Why are we not pulling together to be better?
Why isn't the transformative power of uplifting others as a path to true fulfillment and lasting happiness a thing? After all, wouldn’t this be a mindset that could change not only your life but also the lives of those around you?
In this life, I’m so proud to be a writer, podcast host, and filmmaker. Many have also been so gracious as to call me a "mindset coach" which I also honor and love. I work hard at all of them every day. But the reason that all these things light up my world is not for the money they bring, but for the change they allow me to have on the world and others around me.
Those who know me can attest to the fact that I don’t own or have much, but I give everything just the same, even if at times it means that I go without. Of course, it can be very frustrating sometimes and can even make me wish that I had just a little bit more to feel safe. I think that’s a natural thing. But I never let my humble means make me resentful or envious of anyone. My mindset is just orchestrated around helping others so that we can all lead healthier, happier lives.
We aren’t perfect humans, and we never will be. To be honest, I don’t think that’s even the point of any of it. But we can strive to be more humane in our humanity. We can evolve our mindset to want the best for all of us. I know that sort of equality seems unreachable right now, but we’ve got to start somewhere.
Here’s my take on where we can begin:
1. Looking Down: Empowering Those Below
Many of us encounter individuals who are struggling, brimming with potential but facing closed doors or lacking guidance to develop their ideas. Instead of seeing them as competitors or obstacles, we can extend a helping hand. By mentoring, teaching, guiding, and coaching, we can empower them to rise from their current circumstances, to realize their potential, and to achieve more. When we lift others, we also lift ourselves, creating a ripple effect of positivity.
2. Looking Up: Learning from Those Ahead
On the other side, there are people who appear to have it all. They may have material wealth, but their mental well-being is teetering on the edge. The pressure to maintain an image of perfection often leads to stress, anxiety, and even mental illness. Instead of envying their position, we can learn from their experiences and strive for a different kind of success—one that includes peace and happiness.
3. Embracing a mindset of abundance
The core of this philosophy is recognizing that success is not a finite resource. By helping others achieve their goals, we contribute to a collective sense of abundance. When we teach individuals that they are enough and that they can aspire for more while uplifting others, the rewards are immeasurable. Karma becomes a powerful force, bringing happiness not only to ourselves but to those around us.
4. Paying It Forward
The beauty of this approach is that it creates a cycle of positivity. When we empower someone else, they are more likely to do the same for others. It’s a pay-it-forward mentality that can change the world, one person at a time. By teaching others to be and do better, we create a harmonious environment where everyone thrives.
The pursuit of happiness and success need not be a cutthroat race to the top. Instead, it should be a journey of self-discovery, growth, and helping others along the way. By embracing a mindset that uplifts those below us and learns from those ahead, we can achieve true fulfillment and make the world a better place. So, let’s choose to be the change-makers who create a more harmonious, compassionate, and ultimately happier world for all.
