About 3 months ago I went up to New Rock City and while I was there I played Laser Tag. For those of you who don't know what that is its a game where you pick two teams to go up against each other with a Laser Gun and whichever team gets the most shots against the opposing team they're the winners. But something that stood out to me was throughout the course of the game after about 10 shots each player had to go back to the home station and REFILL their gun. If you did not refill your gun, you could not shoot and no shots meant you lose the game. The goal of course is to WIN! But as I said the REFILL part stood out more to me because it made me think of life in general. I AM IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. I pride myself on specializing in the growth and positive change of people. But the one thing I've come to learn about this field is its very DRAINING!!!! It takes alot to try and help EVERYBODY and also work on yourself in the process. So I've learned some very important principals to live by in order to continue working in this field and ENJOYING what I do. 1) I have come to realize that its good to be HANDS ON but also be able to assess when its time to take your hands OFF.Some people learn the value of the experience when they realize you are no longer trying to impose it on them. So sometimes I just come by and water the plant, somebody else can come and watch it grow. 2) I've acknowledged that I CAN'T SAVE EVERYBODY!!!!!!! In every person that I encounter I do my very best to help them grow and develop into a better THEM! I listen to them COMPASSIONATELY, I provide a comfortable space for them to share in, I acknowledge THEIR feelings and I do my best to assist WITHOUT offending, insulting, degrading or disrespecting them. When I've done all I physically & emotionally can I realize thats all I can do for them. Maybe they got it, maybe they didn't. I take pride in the fact that I've done my very best and thats all GOD expects of ME. 3) And last but not least, just like in Laser Tag I MAKE SURE I GET MY REFILL AS MUCH AS I CAN AND AS MUCH AS ITS NEEDED! Not only do I help others develop and grow but I allow others to help me do the same. I read a quote that said "You should not have to rip yourself into pieces to keep others whole." I totally agree but I also feel that if you CONSISTENTLY get your refills it makes it harder and harder for you to be ripped to pieces in your quest to make other whole! Remember SELF PRESERVATION IS THE FIRST LAW OF NATURE!