We’re facing tense times in the world right now, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. I want to share with you two major AH-HA moments from past times of adversity and the lessons I learned.
Neither of these lessons is new, but it’s easy to forget them. And that’s a lesson in itself. We ‘say’ we want to respond to life in a certain way, commit to certain behaviors, embrace a certain way of life and yet, we don’t follow through. We forget our intentions and fall back into our daily routines where we feel safe.
That’s what I found so interesting. I wasn’t expecting these lessons. Yet I was forced to remember my intentions and, consequently, make the choice to recommit to them.
Lesson #1: Gracefully ask for help.
Wow! This one was major! I’ve been single for several years. It’s become a habit to take care of things on my own. I am surrounded by loving family and friends and yet, when I find myself having a difficult time, the first thing I think about is how I am going to take care of myself.
For example, a few years ago I fell and broke my wrist. It never even dawned on me to ask for help. I didn’t want to bother or inconvenience anyone. My overriding thought was, “I’ve got this!” Sounds foolish now right? But it was my reality never the less.
This quote from Jim Rohn sums up this lesson beautifully: “Asking for help does not mean that we are weak or incompetent. It usually indicates an advanced level of honesty and intelligence.”
BAM! I had to find my advanced level of honesty and intelligence and realize, “Hey Leslie! You can’t do this all by yourself … and it’s OK!” Once I began asking for help, and gracefully receiving that help, life became much easier for me.
I commit to gracefully asking for help and allowing myself to receive it. Where in your life can you benefit from asking for help?
Lesson #2: How to downshift from warp speed to cruising speed. (I’m also a Star Trek fan!)
At the time I broke my wrist, I was convinced that with my daily meditation, weekly yoga practice, and a revised work schedule that I HAD been living at cruising speed. Red alert! As I was forced to slow down to the pace of being one-handed, I realized that I had not been cruising at all.
Moving at warp speed caused my broken wrist in the first place. I mean, did I really have to be working on my phone while I was walking across the street? NO! This lesson was marvelous! What a brilliant way for the Universe to reinforce my desire to be more present, practice mindfulness and truly slow down. I also decided to choose less painful methods for learning!
I commit to moving through life at cruising speed. (I’ll leave warp speed for the Enterprise.) Consider your daily pace. What action(s) can you take to slow down and be more present?
Life gives us many opportunities to learn, grow and expand. Sometimes these opportunities are hidden in adversity. There is a phrase I just love: “How we do one thing is how we do everything.” How we respond to adversity can be as positive, purposeful and courageous as the way we respond to pleasure. It’s a choice.
Football coach Vince Lombardi said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down, but whether you get back up.” I believe, “It’s not whether you get knocked down, but how you get back up: Transformed.” AH-HA! How we get back up is a choice! How we respond to life is a choice. The lessons we learn and embrace are a choice. The intentions we set are a choice. So choose well!