Crabs

“It was teeming with a diversity of life, with mussels, tubeworms, fish and crabs. Struggles for survival were playing out before our eyes. The incredible multitude of crabs in combat with each other for existence is an image I will never forget”                              ~ Steve Price

 

Have you heard of The Bucket of Crabs Theory?

The theory states that if there are several crabs in a bucket, and one tries to climb out, the others will pull him back down.

The “crab mentality” is summed up as:

“If I can’t have it, neither can you.”

If the crabs worked together, they could escape. But instead their selfishness and distrust maintains the status quo.

I’m using the Crab theory as a metaphor to describe human behavior.

Let’s say the bucket is you wanting to stop drinking, change your diet, or venture out into a new job.

Do your friends and family encourage those decisions?

Or do they try and pull you back down into the bucket with them?

What’s your reaction when one of your friends or family members takes a risk and is genuinely happy and successful?

I know it isn’t the ideal answer, but for most people its resentment, jealousy and extreme cognitive dissonance.

We can be better than the crabs.

Smarter
More cooperative
More encouraging
More compassionate

If you want to climb out of your “bucket,” whatever it may be, don’t let the other crabs pull you down.

And if you’re happy in your bucket but see someone else making a break for it, go ahead and give them a boost!

You never know… maybe they’ll turn around and offer a hand up.

“I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

                                                                                                   ~ Albert Schweitzer