Adders & Ladders

Recently, I was reading some thoughts from Ed Young and I came across this insight:

Ed said that when you are in a pit, you either hang out with "adders" or "ladders". I had to look this up (I don't keep up with snakes), but an "adder" is a type of snake. A venomous snake. They are not aggressive unless harassed or threatened, but they will eat their prey whole.

Isn't that interesting. There are just some people who have no ambition to get out of that pit and they want you to stay with them. It's a pity parrr-tayyy! These people are seemingly un-agressive, but their words and attitude carry a lot of venom. They look harmless, but watch out-- their negative aura will eat you alive.

"Ladders", obviously, will help you get out of the pit. These are people who not only encourage you with their words, but with their actions. They are positive and enabling. They are patient listeners, who listen without judging you (even when they don't agree with you!). They are not keeping you at arm's length because you are in a down time, but rather extending their arm of help and encouragment.

Are you in a pit? Who are you hanging out with? Are you an "adder" or a "ladder"?