Dealing With Energy Zappers

As an avid social media user I am both intrigued and appalled by the bullying that goes on particularly on places like Twitter.  If you dare to have the temerity to share a different view, odds are you will be pounced on by all sundry. This can be tiring and emotionally extremely draining, if you let it get to you. No one appears to accept that people do have different opinions.  That doesn’t make them evil, or scum as you are often referred to as. It doesn’t make you a racist or intolerant.  It simply means your ‘measuring’ criterion is different.

This got me thinking about ‘energy zappers’. I’m sure many of the attackers on Twitter etc. are just that; ‘energy zappers or drainers’.  

Some years ago I was a member of a very small team working for an extremely well known international business responsible for a major acquisition of a significant chuck of opposition business. We were required to work with a senior executive of one of the acquired businesses. To say he was a pig of a man would be an understatement. The mere thought of having to endure his behaviour in meetings would almost make me ill.  This was a man who would not allow our regional heads PA (and minute taker) to sit at the boardroom table with the rest of us. He made her sit at a table in the corner of the room. He viewed her as being beneath him.

I was relaying the story to a friend of mine. Sharing with her that I felt completely drained after meetings and the fact that I was steam rolled on almost every recommendation by this man.  She shared with me the story of energy zappers. These are people who are bullies and who drain your energy in an attempt to control and manipulate.  She gave me a book by the wonderful Louise Hays where she talked about how you could beat these people and take your control back.  The advice was simple.  Use the abundant energy that is all around us to reenergise. 

The next morning I was flying interstate for the project meeting.  Instead of sitting on the aisle I took a window seat.  My usual practice was aisle seat as close to the front as possible (luckily I generally flew business). First on, first out that was me.  I used the time in fight to observe the clouds, the sun, the blue sky and I started to draw in energy from this.  Try it, you will be surprised.  I gave myself plenty of time on arrival to sit in the park for 30-mins.  Trees give off amazing energy. This isn’t about hugging trees; it’s about merely sitting quietly, breathing in and absorbing the energy.  So now calm, centred and full of energy off to the meeting I went.  From the moment I walked in the door I felt powerful.  My ‘bully’ could sense that as well.  There was even a change in his greeting before the meeting started.  Suffice to say I won every point that day and my ‘bully’ never beat me again. I insisted that our PA sit at the table and surprise, surprise he conceded. The project was successful and I learnt a valuable lesson.

I have used the technique many times since and I have shared this story with many people. So now the challenge is to find a way to use the same process when dealing with people on line. 

The Question of Rights to Abode in Australia

I wonder if those who are so quick to condemn those of us who question the sense of just opening up our borders to all and sundry, no questions asked, ever consider the future impact of that.

The behaviour of the rioters on Manus should be a clue to the type of person who could be on our shores now. And certainly would be on our shores if it wasn't for Operation Sovereign Borders. These are people who now choose violence in an attempt to bully the government into changing their policy, rather than patiently waiting their turn in applying for refugee status through the correct channels. We see evidence of the type of behaviour that was the case on Sunday and Monday on Manus, on the streets of Melbourne & Sydney.

Whilst a lot of what comes out of the UK is hyped up, there are elements of truth with regards to the impact of mass and uncontrolled migration and illegal entry.  We should learn from their experiences before it gets worse here. And before we end up with all and sundry right-wing fascists groups inflaming already tense situations in some areas.

As global citizens we should (and we do) endeavour to look after refugees. Australia has a proud history in that regard. That said, we need to debate and to be selective in whom we grant the privilege of sharing this great country with.  There is nothing racist is making that comment although many will brand it such.  As consumers we expect the best for our money and surely as hard working tax payers we should expect the same when it comes to who we share our wealth and our good fortune with.  This has nothing to do with colour or religion but it has everything to do with attitude.

We need people who hold the vision of a better life. That they contribute to building their new life not just rely on others. We don’t want nr can we afford to accommodate those who seek to bring with them the worst of their 'old' lives. Not those who view Australia as the easy option and who are not prepared to make the effort to build their lives based on a set of values that is compatible to the values of Australians. This is;

1. People who learn to speak the language
2. People who swear allegiance to Australia first and foremost
3. People who are prepared to work and not just take handouts
4. People who obey the laws of the land
5. People who allow others to participate in their religion without fear of retribution
6. People who respect each other regardless of race, position or religious belief
7. People who value what we value; our freedom, the many blessings we enjoy living in this great country, the relative safety we enjoy to go about our daily lives and who want to contribute economically and culturally

In seeking the best it doesn’t mean we don’t accept the damaged people, the illiterate people however if we do, those we accept have to want to do something about fixing their problems. That means educating themselves. That means seeking help to deal with their problems.  There are any number of options available however many choose to do nothing and then blame their issues when they break the law.  This is not acceptable.

I could go on but the above is not a bad start.  As many of us have pointed out there is a long tradition of supporting refugees in this country. In the past, it has been 'Australians' who have attacked those same refugees. All too often now it's the other way around.

 

We need to be able to talk about this without being labelled racists, intolerant or any other form of abuse that is so often hurled in our direction.