It has become clear and apparent to me that I have been casting my pearls before swine. Another way of saying this is that I have been spending time with people and on things that I shouldn't have. Not only did I spend my time with people and on things I shouldn't have, I tried to share with them the very best parts of myself. I started to hear myself say, "Nobody listens to me" more and more. I started wondering if my contributions made a difference because nothing seemed to change after doing so.
Once I started to get disgruntled and angry with these people and projects, I had to ask myself why am I so upset? I tend to be pretty easy going so for me to be upset means that I need to figure out what is going on and address it. My frustration and anger were indicators that I was in the wrong place, spending time with people who I shouldn't be spending time with and doing things that were not worth my time.
After further investigation, I realized that for some reason I had allowed myself to think that I was in the right place doing the right things with the right people though time after time it seemed that my efforts were making little to no impact. I don't know exactly how I didn't see what was really going on other than I needed to learn this lesson of being selective with who and how I spend my time. Honestly, that is why I think this has happened. The kicker is that I have to change this habit. I have to create a system within my consciousness that allows me to determine when to share my gifts and talents and when it is best that I don't share them.
Though I have been frustrated at how much I have shared with people who don't seem to appreciate the full value of my gifts, I maintain that they are not bad people and have done no wrong. Casting pearls before swine is a strong statement but really it means for me, "DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ON PEOPLE AND PROJECTS THAT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TRULY GUIDED TO WORK WITH." It is better for me and the world that I give where there is receptivity.
The good news from this lesson is that I am way more clear about where to put my focus and comfortable with turning my back when I see people and situations that are not for me to pour into. Even when they are begging for my help, if I am not called to help, I won't. Sounds mean but I have been there done that too much to know that in the end, most everyone is just fine without my help because with it, they didn't listen to me and made it some how.
Additionally, if I am called to help people, I need to realize to what extent I am to help and help that much and no more. I am happier as a result of reclaiming my focus and attention and placing them where they should be. This is a clear indicator that I am making the right choice. I am also more clear that some of my gifts need to be used in a different platform. I am a natural mentor, I need to turn that into a career path instead of using it so much with friends. If people pay for my professional advice and don't take it, I am less likely to feel like I am wasting my time. But more than likely, if I am helping within a professional capacity, a customer may be more likely to listen to me than a friend who is asking the same question and to whom I would give the same counsel for free.
I don't like feeling angry and frustrated but I do give thanks for this lesson. I feel like I will be more free and even take more risks as I look for ways to channel my gifts.
My suggestion to anyone reading this is that if you know you are wasting your time on people and things to stop doing so and find other places to channel your valuable attention and gifts. It really is a waste of your time to cast the best of before people and situations that are not open to receiving and don't value them. Choose to channel the best of you where it will be received and make a true difference.
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