MAC_BP#1_Reading_TheArtof Possibility_Chap9-12
Am I willing to live in the Universe of Possibility? That is the most honest question I can present to myself as I finish reading this book. Knowing now not only of this new universe, but also having been given the tools to navigate, am I ready to embark on this new adventure, to learn to be the “BOARD” on which my life is played? Am I willing to enroll others in the “game” rather than scare them to death; to begin to create new frameworks of possibility, to truly tell the story of WE instead of me?
I read the Coda too. The choice is mine. No condemnation for not practicing is mentioned. No judgments are made. Only possibility remains: CHOICE. The problem has been and continues to be about choice. Choice is always the key to making a change, to make possibilities happen. I can choose to be a “victim” I can choose to be a leader from any chair; I can choose to invent new rules. I can even choose to invent the game board on which my life will be played. What will I choose?
I can stay where I am, fearful, trying to survive, watching out for me. I can stay here, worried about what others say or think, or long for connection to others that will not come, at least not according to “their rules”.
I can choose to create a new universe for my life. A universe of possibility, where connections are made, where fear or survival does not dictate, but rather love and generosity. Where students are inspired to learn rather than forced to endure; where colleagues value each other’s gifts and do not undermine each other because their subject is more “important” than another. To truly lead from any chair means to take the risk that others secretly want to live in the realm of possibility, and simply haven’t realized it yet.
The practices are just that-PRACTICE! I will not get it right every time. I will make mistakes. I will fail at times. HOW FASCINATING and I AM SORRY... will become phrases most familiar in my vocabulary.
What do I want? Am I willing to make the life-changing effort? Am I willing to read this book again, and again? Am I willing to become the being that I am meant to be? The measured self is crying out in fear and anger. Who do you think you are? You can’t do this! You’re too lazy, you’re too...........
BTFI-one moment, one day, one week, one month, one year, one lifetime left at a time...
Kudos for you! I believe I will join you and we will not be alone. Before long the sound of our music will drown out the noise around us and we will make a real difference in the universe of possibility!
ReplyDeleteMy calculating part says “I’m tired”—my central self says “I’m scared.” “STOP! You’re BOTH right!” (Was it a Doublemint commercial?) Yes, having wrapped up my school year last week, the usual exhaustion is enervating me, making the much that is going on both personally and academically feel a lot harder than it is. But I’m also very afraid of giving up some of my old roles and old rules. Sure, they haven’t worked very well, but they’re the only roles and rules I’ve got. I had. I don’t have to choose to walk that way any more.
ReplyDeleteYou know what else you don’t need to do, Debra Jo? You don’t need to undertake a revolution right now. Just love yourself—give yourself the compassion and understanding you’d give someone else in your position!
Excuse me, Jeannine, I just took a little aside in our conversation to have one with myself, which was a little self-centered! (Ha. Ha.) Uh oh. How do you manage to constantly open me up to truth? In fact, that’s all I’ve been doing—writing about me. This morning, talking about being vines & branches, the pastor said something about producing fruit being about caring for the other person more than you care about yourself, and between that and the book, I’m open to seeing what I’m seeing, and hearing what you’re saying.
I’m a little irritated at myself this afternoon that my “responses” to other people have been—just say it like it is, Deb—all about me. But then I heard another thought: that when something I say sparks learning & insight in someone else, I feel satisfied; I feel I’ve succeeded at my job. I hope you feel that way now. I’m having a hard time today, and you just made it easier. Thanks.