You have all probably heard the term “Crabby.” Generally, this term is used to describe someone who is in a bad mood. However, there is another way to think about that term, and another reason to avoid being described as being “Crabby.” If you are a fisherman who likes to use crab traps, you know that when you transfer the crabs from the trap into a basket or some other container that you should never put only one crab in the container unless you have a lid of some type. The reason is that when there is only one crab in a basket, it will do whatever it can do to get OUT of the basket. But, if you put several crabs in the basket, they will drag one another down so that NONE of them can get away. The industrious crab becomes a victim to the crowd who tells him/her that getting out is not only impossible, but not allowed! What a concept! The idea here is that many who are successful in life often have to trade in the praise they might receive from others in order to accomplish their goals. The flip side of this analogy is also revealing.

The fact is that many who are unsuccessful will do things to keep others from getting ahead or succeeding. The good news is that as you reach for your goals and try to achieve success you will be able to recognize when others are trying to “drag you down,” and not buy into their belief system. The MCMC project needs you to succeed, no matter how many out there may try to tell you that you cannot. All you have to do is to read commentary on newspaper articles concerning the recovery effort to realize that there are many who do not believe that the clients we serve have a chance, or that they EVER had a chance. I saw one comment the other day that said: “Let them do whatever they did before the storm. Let’s not give them any more help.” This comment was obviously made by an uninformed and cynical individual who is out of touch with the reality that exists on the ground, at least in Mississippi. You know your clients better than anyone else. You know the good and the bad, the strange and the true, the helplessness and the hopefulness that exists in each case you serve. Your success means that they will succeed. Your dedication to your work means that your clients have a much better chance at succeeding in their own pursuits to “get out of the basket.” Thank you for your belief and your continued efforts to accomplish something that so many thought impossible. We have a lot to do, but we have proven that, with focus and intense advocacy, much can be accomplished. Do your best not to be “Crabby.” It really is a drag!

Blessings, 

Stephen