Radiate or Drain?

Recently, I’ve been sharing Ed Sheeran’s song “Save Myself” with clients who are struggling to give themselves permission to take care of themselves and letting go of helping people who aren’t interested in changing.

One of the phrases in the song that deserves consideration is, “Human beings are destined to radiate or drain.”

Which of those two categories do you fit in? Are you a radiator or a drainer?

Do you bring light and energy into the lives of other people by being optimistic, or do you suck the life out of people with your pessimism?

When’s the last time you gave someone a compliment?

If you’re a parent, do you focus more on the things your children do well or on the mistakes they make?

When a friend shares with you a problem they’re struggling with, do you give them an empathetic ear, or do you turn the focus on yourself by sharing a problem you’re struggling with?

Would you describe yourself as a hopeful person, a hope-filled person?

Do people walk away from an encounter with you feeling better or feeling drained, with a smile on their face or with sagging shoulders?

One of the great things about being a human being is we have freedom of choice. We can choose to be whatever kind of person we want to be. WE CAN CHANGE.

So, if these thoughts have convicted you of being a drainer and left you feeling discouraged and down about yourself—THEN CHANGE.

If you’re a radiator, then God bless you! Keep letting your light shine, and don’t let the world get you down.

* Taken from The Wit and Wisdom of David Johnson, Volume I1: The Hairy Catfish Caper.