Monday’s Meanings #9: Excuse me, are you getting off here?

“Life is like an elevator: on your way up, sometimes, you have to stop and let some people off.” By unknown

I feel like I’ve had conversations with family and friends on this concept all my life. The emotional counterparts for this are: “never burn your bridges”, “remember the people who helped you on your way up”, etc… I believe this quote, nor the deeper concept of it are suggesting that you dump people out of your life to get ahead, but rather that one needs to stick to their vision and keep moving forward. Not everyone will want to get to where you are going and you must accept them for where they want to be. You have your own top floor to aim for, and others will find their happiness on lower floors, from your perspective.  That’s ok. 

I realize that we do sometimes grow apart from people in our lives, simply because interests diverge. I have experienced this several times in my life and resisted it, then felt bad about it. Neither was a productive action or feeling. Had I just accepted it, those friends might still be in my life, or on friendlier terms. Expectations and ego got in the way. As far as friendships go, I’m trying to just let them be whatever they are. In fact, and this may be more of a guy thing, I’m just allowing the relationships to be good whenever we get together, but I don’t push to create events to get together anymore. I accept that many of my current friends just don’t have time and garb moments spontaneously. 

In achieving your goals, be it in business or school, it’s not that different. Stay friendly with everyone and accept that people will define their levels of happiness differently. Keep your eye on your own goals and allow others to get off your elevator at whatever floor they desire. 

What does this quote mean to you?