This blog post really spoke to me and highlights what I like to practice in my own life and encourage others to get into the practice of: focusing on our being-ness and less on our "to do" lists. I get so enmeshed with "what I need to do" that I often wonder if I am inadvertently missing out on creating life, moments that I will look back on and treasure.
This blog post gave me time to reflect and see how can I start implementing ways to BE. Perhaps you might find a small way to bring more BE into your life. A few weeks ago I stopped into a new place to get my hair cut. I'd walked by this place numerous times, but never actually realized that it was a school. I'd only recognized this when there were signs placed in the grass out front stating hair cuts were performed by students for the price of $3.99.
So, I decided to try this place, having had good experiences at these kinds of schools in the past. After confirming that they could work me in, I took in my surroundings. It was painted with warm colors with bold accents. With minimal furnishings at a work station, a young woman set up the tools of her trade. She slowly and quietly parted my hair and clipped back pieces that weren't needed. Tentatively she cut pieces in a methodical fashion. Slowly she picked up pieces and measured a few times against the comb to be sure she had the hair where she wanted it. Right from the beginning, her teacher sat next to us to observe. She asked if the student needed help. She spoke in soft tones with her, discussing how to part the hair, check the length, and to snip it in just the right way. As the student watched the teacher, I became aware of the differences in the two womens' movements. As the student cut my hair, her movements were slow, calculated, and some what hesitant, wanting to make sure she was doing things well. It reminded me of when someone is starting out at something brand new, a new habit or skill, and the movements are unfamiliar and a little halting. When the teacher was instructing, I noticed that her movements were crisp. She was able to explain and perform the haircut without thinking or second guessing herself. The differences became more apparent when the student took over again, having had the guidance she needed. My haircut took longer than normal, but I had an enjoyable experience taking in the beauty of learning. I was reminded of a book I highly recommend by George Leonard titled “Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment”. It describes three ways of being that prevent us from becoming masters: the Dabbler, the Obsessive, and the Hacker. To learn more about the path of mastery and what it takes to stay on that path, borrow this book from a library or get it from a bookstore. This haircut experience demonstrated to me the opportunity of learning and the process that it is. For the teacher to become a master, she has had to practice countless hours to become proficient in her art. This student now has the same opportunity: to become a master of this skill. With practice, patience, guidance, mistakes, and learning from mistakes, she is well on her way to acquire the skills necessary to move beyond this initial student phase. A humbling part of learning is when we try to learn or add on a new skill. Leonard reminds us that we are afforded the chance to begin at a spot where we sometimes dread being: feeling foolish as we try something new. But, if we are willing to accept feeling a bit foolish and to learn from a master, we can grow into that new skill. As you live and work throughout this week, I invite you to reflect upon the acquisition of skills you currently have and remember the journey you've taken to be right where you are. Reflection Questions *These questions can be thought of in terms of your work, a hobby, or any kind of skill set you may have. 1. Where are you in your journey to becoming a master? 2. Who can help assist you in becoming more proficient? 3. What prevents you from becoming a master? 4. What has helped you become highly skilled? 5. What are you willing to commit to in order to develop your skills? I am so grateful to be fostering this dog. One day this week, I came home and really just took the time to take in his love, his excited tail wags, the way his bone loosely hangs out of his mouth when I come home, to his snuggles and little grunts as he sleeps.
I was intentional about taking in what he gave to me because earlier in the day, I read that someone had stomped to death a 3 month old puppy (because it had had an accident inside the house). I was heart broken. How could someone do such a thing? I decided to take a small action (that was suggested) and called the States Attorney to voice my concerns over this matter. And as I walked home, wondering at why I was disheartened, I put together why I felt that way. One reason was that I wondered if that person truly thought out the responsibility he was taking on. Did that person think through, as much as possible, about what a puppy does, needs and how to fulfill and meet those needs? Yes, puppies are cute AND they need appropriate guidance and training to become and fulfill their true purpose. What is their true purpose? To me, and probably to many: to love. I truly believe that their true character is to love. They just exude love when properly nurtured and cared for. From the beginning of their little lives to the end when they can hardly walk or see. They give that love and when I heard about that little puppy, that chance of love died with him. So, as I pondered this, I needed to take a little extra time that day to receive the love that my foster dog so freely gives to me. When I think about how this relates to life, I again truly believe that the core of us as human beings is love: to be love, to give love, to receive love. I sometimes get saddened at the negative things that happen in the world. That we human beings hurt one another in such a variety of ways. But in the midst of all this, I do see kindness and goodness and love being given and received. In big ways, but mostly in very small ways. In ordinary ways being done every day. I'm grateful when I can actually see these small actions for what they are, to notice them in the busyness of life. I think it's when I notice those small acts of love that I remember that I am connected to those around me by love and through love. Love is a journey and my hope is that you experience the giving and receiving of love today. If you have a story to share about how your dog shares love with you, I'd love to heart it. Those kinds of stories warm my heart. “Paws” to Ponder
Wednesdays with Dogs is a weekly blog series about dogs and about my experience fostering dogs. Each Wednesday will feature a story that presents learning opportunities and moments of reflection on topics about life, work, relationships, leadership and whatever else I might happen to learn along the way! Come back each week as we “paws” a moment for life lessons with “Wednesdays with Dogs”. My current foster dog makes me feel loved. Important. Valued. After I come home from a long, busy day at work, I always and gratefully look forward to the moment I walk through the door. My foster dog makes me feel special just by the way he greets me. He has a special little dance routine he only does when I come through the door. Here are the steps that occur, without fail ( and with lots of tail):
1. Sees April 2. Gets excited. 3. Rushes back to the living room to find his bone.
He greets me this way. Every. Time. I. Arrive...even if I've only been gone for 20 minutes! My foster dog has helped me reflect upon a life lesson: how I interact with those in my life. Here's what I've taken away so far.
I don't think I've discovered all the lessons yet from his happy little “greeting” dance. I look forward to his smile and wiggles and the joy he brings to my life. “Paws” to Ponder
Wednesdays with Dogs is a weekly blog series about dogs and about my experience fostering dogs. Each Wednesday will feature a story that presents learning opportunities and moments of reflection on topics about life, work, relationships, leadership and whatever else I might happen to learn along the way! Come back each week as we “paws” a moment for life lessons with “Wednesdays with Dogs”.
Heads up managers, business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees. Interactive, reflective, and inspiring. Dale Partridge's TED talk about "People Over Profit" is an insightful look into eras companies can cycle through and how to break out of this vicious cycle while becoming more profitable than ever.
"Every dollar our companies make gives us a reason NOT to change." Perhaps you've come across the following story:
A man was walking along a deserted beach at sunset. As he walked he could see a young boy in the distance, as he drew nearer he noticed that the boy kept bending down, picking something up and throwing it into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things into the ocean. As the man approached even closer, he was able to see that the boy was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time he was throwing them back into the water. The man asked the boy what he was doing, the boy replied,"I am throwing these washed up starfish back into the ocean, or else they will die through lack of oxygen. "But", said the man, "You can't possibly save them all, there are thousands on this beach, and this must be happening on hundreds of beaches along the coast. You can't possibly make a difference." The boy looked down, frowning for a moment; then bent down to pick up another starfish, smiling as he threw it back into the sea. He replied, "I made a huge difference to that one!" -Author Unknown Perhaps since I am a life coach that I dwell upon my purpose more than others. Sometimes I lose sight of my purpose as I get lost in the day to day activities, the hustle and bustle of life. But when I heard this story a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but think of how one person's life can and does impact another's. It reminded me of a movie I happen to be fond of: "It's a Wonderful Life." I choose to see our lives as interconnected and I know that by supporting and being with my family, friends, and clients, that I do make a difference. I might not know or clearly see how I impact people. Maybe you don't either. Or maybe you do. In any case, I encourage you to BE and live your life based upon your core qualities, then to act from those, and then see what you create for your life. Just know that you matter and that you can have a positive influence on those around you. |
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October 2016
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