Archive for December, 2008

The JOY Ball

Published
by
Lynn
on December 16, 2008
in Weekly Inspiration
. 0 Comments

This morning I brought a large round holiday ornament to my little cottage office. It is red and has the word JOY in silver capital letters emblazoned on opposite sides.

I decided to hang it in the kitchen area, where participants gather for lunch during my workshops. The process of attaching the ball to the ceiling fan was challenging. I had to stand on a chair and balance the ball, while knotting the string attached to the top. This proved awkward and the JOY ball kept slipping lower than I originally planned. After several attempts, I felt satisfied with the presentation and I tied the knot.

I jumped down, returned the chair to its place in the corner, and promptly smacked my forehead on the JOY ball, which as it turns out, is hanging a tad low. Hmmm.

At first I thought I should adjust it, raising it slightly so as to avoid a good noggin-knockin’ each time I ventured across the kitchen. And then I realized leaving it “as is” provides a valuable lesson for me. Many times I have found myself searching for elusive joy, only to discover it was right in front of me all along. Sometimes I get entangled in “what could happen” and JOY has to hit me in the head for me to experience it. Given that A-HA, I choose to leave the JOY ball right where it is for now.

What do you see for yourself in this tale of the JOY ball?

Where in your life is JOY right in front of you

Where can you choose to look for JOY?

Where can you create it?

What’s Perfect About This?

Published
by
Lynn
on December 12, 2008
in Weekly Inspiration
. 1 Comment

What’s Perfect About This?

When I stumble upon a situation or circumstance that presents itself as a barrier to what I intend to achieve, my brilliant coach Sally will ask me “What’s perfect about this?”

I experience this question in a variety of ways. Sometimes I am baffled, unable to see anything remotely perfect, or I pause to consider the lesson to be excavated. Other times I feel angry that things don’t go as planned and head down the road of self defeat, evidencing my imminent failure. At my best I step back from the emotions and thoughts of the circumstance and get real curious about the perfection of the situation.

Earlier today my Kindred, Jacque called me at my little cottage office. We hadn’t seen each other in weeks and I was delighted to connect with her. When she mentioned she was in town and would soon be driving by on the way to an appointment, I stepped outside to wave as she passed. Anticipating I’d be outside for only a moment, I left my shoes inside and closed the door behind me, standing on the front step in my socks. Within seconds, the cold concrete penetrated my thin socks and I turned to open the door and grab my shoes. The door was locked. I found myself out in the cold with only socks on my feet.

Fortunately I keep a spare key in my car. Unfortunately I walked to work and my car was at home in the garage.

What’s perfect about this????

So many things….

I was still on the phone with Jacque.

She was driving by.

My house was on the route to her appointment.

She volunteered to give me a ride.

I easily accessed my house and garage since one of our daughters was home.

And the most beautiful PERFECTION of this situation was that I had the opportunity to see my beloved friend, if only for the brief interlude of the short drive.

When you find yourself challenged by circumstance, get curious, stop and ask yourself, “What’s perfect about this?”

Shifting your mind from doom and gloom to curiosity creates a space to choose what is next for you. Identifying what is perfect, can give voice to a powerful reminder of your commitment to your dreams.

What is perfect about this moment?

What golden opportunity awaits you when things don’t go as planned?

Barn burned down. Now I can see the moon.

Rumi