Going Naturally High (Road)

I had an interesting discussion with a friend today at lunch (who knew there’s a really good French bakery in Bee Cave, TX?!) and one of the points we talked about was doing the right thing; taking the proverbial high road.

For me it was one of THE best bits of counsel I received in 2010.  And while doing what is right should seem natural, I think that – it being natural - is the actual key to making the high road a successful part of your life, not matter what the situation.

Consider this: is it better to do what’s right because that’s what you should do, or to do what’s right because that’s what you have to do?  I think most of us would fall on the “What you should do” side, but I am sure we’ve also come across people who fake it, too.  I would argue that if that’s the case, it’s actually “better” to be on the low road side of the house than pretending to be something you’re not.

Taking the high road is tough.  But a key to success is being able to look at a given situation from both a higher vantage point and a longer term.  When we’re on point we tend to be very reactionary, acting and reacting as things literally happen right in front of our face.  Think about the last argument or heated debate you were in and what you said.  Then, sometime later you think about the situation and come up with a list of what you wished you had said. 

Maybe if we just took a moment , took a good breath before that critical response, and thought about doing what’s right we wouldn’t have to have that moment of regret.  And hey, almost all of our discussions are rarely surprises – what about thinking about what the high road response should be BEFORE you came into the situation?

At the end of the day, taking the high road is what allows us to be able to look ourselves in the mirror and be happy with the person we see.  Doing what’s right is within all of us, it’s actually doing it – for the right reasons – that separates the herd.  Ciao for now! – Cb…