#going high

One of the most beloved quotes in 2016 was when Michelle Obama said, “When they go low, we go high.”

I think they’re excellent words to live by. Many embraced it. They championed it. They saw it as something that represented them.

Yet many times our actions betray us in that regard, don’t they?

The fact is, going “high” -- taking the higher road -- is hard. Really, really hard. It doesn’t happen naturally; it’s a conscious decision we make. It requires a level of self-awareness that is not automatically triggered in every situation.

It means stopping short of applauding when your enemies face embarrassment or defeat - and in some cases praying for their success.

It means celebrating a peer’s promotion … even if you thought you deserved it more.

It means refusing to throw someone under the bus, even if it was their mistake.

It means letting others speak even if you don’t want to hear what they have to say.

It means not taking the bait & refusing to lower the standards you uphold for yourself.

It means treating others the way you wish to be treated.

We can talk about being better all we want. We can Instagram inspirational quotes and parade them to our Facebook friends. But if your next post is marked with condescension or belittles someone - no matter how different they are or what they believe in -- are you really better than those you chastise?