END RESULTS

Beginning is a time when something begins. Thus, for something to begin something had to end.

Maybe, a bad relationship ended, now, you want to find out who you are, alone. You are at the end of renting an apartment, your new journey begins, to purchase a home. The termination of a dead end job, initiates a quest to go back to school and earn a degree.

Whatever, the end may have been, you have made a decision to start afresh. And, you are willing to do what it takes, and spend the time necessary to achieve your goals.

Let’s take the example of a dead end job and the choice to go back to school. You have:

• Completed your research
• Found the degree/certificate best suitable for you
• Saved the money, or applied for grants and/or loans
• Allocated time for classes
• Dedicated late night, early morning and weekends, to study and complete homework
• Juggled work, school, family, and other obligations
• Sacrificed a social life

6 months, 1, 2 or 4 years later, depending on your choice, you are finished. You have a degree. Celebrations begin. People are happy for you. You, your family and friends are floating on cloud nine.

Suddenly, dead end jobs melt away and career opportunities emerge. The time and effort obtaining a degree has paid off. You apply for jobs with great pay, good benefits and advancement opportunities.

You land a great position. Now, you have the income to achieve higher goals: purchase a home; go on exotic vacations; or buy a better car. Or, simply you have the ability to pay bills on time, save a little money and plan for a future. You broach your new founded ideas or planned goals to your family and friend. Now, it is amazing, the same people who cheered, now throw out jeers. Such as:

• You think you are better than everyone.
• You are flaunting your title and money.
• It must be nice to have things, other people don’t have.
• You think you are all of that, with a bag of chips.

Or, you have people who constantly ask for loans. Or, unqualified individuals who want you to put in a good word at your job, knowing they cannot do it and, in your heart, you know they won’t try to do it. They just want the inside connections, on your merit.

Often, people will look at your end results and never take the time to see what you had to do, the time spent and the sacrifices made to get to where you have arrived.

People who focus on your end results, maybe be suffering from:

• Envy. They resent you for having what they may want. They will say things to hurt you.
• Fear. They may be too afraid of failing. So, they never try.
• Lazy. They lack the desire to work hard and want things to be given to them.
• Impatience. They lack the ability to wait for things. They want what they want, now.

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? Proverbs 27:4 King James Version (KJV).

My advice for the ones who have arrived.

• Remain humble. Do not let your new position, in life, to go to your head. Remember, God assisted you through your quest. You did not do it alone.
• Show empathy. Remember when you were in that position, the struggles and trials you encountered. Remembering, where you came from, keeps you humble.
• Be patient. Allow time for people to vent their frustrations. Be there for them, if you can.
• Encourage others to begin new ventures in their lives. Be available to assist.
• Be careful. Help others, if they want to be helped. Don’t overextend yourself to the point of exhaustion. Be careful not to allow others to rob you of your joy and blessings, by laying guilt and shame upon you. Be careful, not to allow others to drive you into questioning your decisions or your new journeys.
• Alert yourself to the concept that you may need to seek new friends, or limit your time with those who are attempting to bring you down.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 King James Version (KJV).

Now, for the group who has tunnel vison to those who have achieved great goals.

Stop the madness. It is not fair to judge or criticize those who have what you desire. Instead of ridiculing them, make them your role model. Their achievements can be something for you inspire to do. Ask questions on how they accomplished their goals and inquire suggestions on how you can do it, too. Or, search for other people you can assist you in achieving your dreams.

The sad reality is, this is where many people will begin and end. Their enthusiasm is stirred up. But, when the money, work and time has been identified, the enthusiasm fizzes out. They just do not want to put in the effort. It’s easier to be bitter and complain; or to dance with others at the pity party. Be honest, if you don’t want to put in the effort, stop bitching about the ones who did. It is your choice to begin or end.

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. Proverbs 13:4 King James Version (KJV).

Make a decision. This place in your life is getting ready to end and a new journey will begin. If you lack the fortitude, ask your Almighty Father for help.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Isaiah 40:29 King James Version (KJV).