Relationship decisions matter
In this world, we encounter so many different types of people.
Some are quiet.
Some are loud.
Some are easily excitable.
Some are chill all the time.
But when it comes to DECIDING which people to INTENTIONALLY spend time with, we have always looked at people in one of three categories.
GREEN
People that we look at and categorize as “green” are the people who almost ALWAYS brighten your day or in someway make you smile. They have energy that lifts you up. These people can have all different types of personalities, but after time with them, you feel better. There is literally NO LIMIT to the time you can and should spend (or should I say invest) with these types of people.
YELLOW
People that we have frequently classified as “yellow” CAN be positive, but they might also be negative, too. People who find themselves in our “yellow” category seem to have something that might be difficult to pinpoint, but at the end of the day you feel like (if you give it deliberate thought) that you really should limit your time with them. In other words, they require caution. I would say these are easily the most difficult group to identify and to make necessary adjustments. They just aren’t THAT many issues with them, but there is always something.
RED
Toxic. Poison. Venom. The people who fall into this bucket need to be eliminated from the life. If they are related to you, then you need to limit, limit, limit any and all time with them. Folks who fall into the “Red” category are not good and you know it. If I asked you, the reader, to identify someone in the red category, a name or face will pop into your mind immediately. You know what to do.
Workplace
As you get to know people in your workplace, you will be able to identify co-workers and place them in these categories. It is wise to control your work flow, break times and water-cooler times to avoid the “red”, control the “yellow” and increase time with the “green”
Parents
We sit down with our kids at the end of every year and ask each of them to identify who in their life is a “green”. Then we ask them to make it a priority to find ways to spend more time with that person.
Then we ask them who among their friends may have slid from “green” to “yellow” and encourage them to begin to limit their time.
Finally, we ask them to identify who the “red” people are in their lives. Every time we have asked this question, they have an answer. Oftentimes they just needed some type of permission to pull away from what they already knew (even if it was subconscious) was a toxic relationship.
How about you
Where would your friends, acquaintances, co-workers or family members place you? Do a self-evaluation and ask if you are constantly negative, complaining, agitated or hateful. Make the appropriate changes. Are you “yellow”. Do people need to exercise caution and limit their time with you? Are you “Green” and your friends and family are energized and love being with you?
Make a decision
If this concept of red, yellow and green is new to you and your eyes are opened, do something about it. Get out of red relationships immediately. Move yourself into a green status as soon as you can. Help you kids with all of this, too.
