Making The Most Of What Is

Wisdom comes in all shapes and sizes. It can be expressed in so many different ways, by so many different people. Sometimes in its articulation it can resonate oh so deeply. But I still find lived wisdom, expressed through embodiment, to be the most powerful teacher of all.

"Instead of lamenting your fate, create your world." - Hazrat Inayat Khan

The other day during a program experience, all of us in the room again were apart of this type of really important remembering. This is why we choose experiential learning as our vehicle of facilitation. Learning by doing, with reflection, opens ourselves and the participants up to the deepening of connection to self, others and the world around us as we remember together. The example I'm referring to on this occasion related to how various individuals and their groups within a particular challenge embraced and made the most of what is, rather than lamenting and getting stuck in fighting what if. It became a powerful reminder for us all.

"The man who wastes today lamenting yesterday will waste tomorrow lamenting today." — Philip M. Raskin

We're all very human as we navigate our way through the full spectrum of emotions each and every day. Life's challenges, big, small and everything in between, are an invitation to lead (use our thoughts, words and actions to make a difference for self and others). It's definitely not about perfection, instead about connection, contribution and progress. So when certain designs that had been made by particular groups began to crumble during the activity there was an invitation awaiting those participants. It's not that they didn't feel disappointed, frustrated or envious, they just chose around these emotions with wisdom, finding creative, playful and empowered ways to stay involved and making a difference. This is what the other groups were doing as well, its just that it was more visible in their cases.

"It is not the joy that makes us grateful. It is the gratitude that makes us joyful." - David Steindl - Rost

With wisdom we remember that we're all able to chose exploring the possibilities, discovering potential and acting authentically. With wisdom we remember that our daily thoughts, words and actions matter. With wisdom we remember that our journey will involve both successes and challenges, remembering that, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts” – Winston Churchill. With wisdom we remember that we are all capable of making a difference in our own and others’ lives. And really importantly, with wisdom we remember we are all in this together!

"The secret of being happy is accepting where you are in life and making the most out of every day." - Anonymous

Thank you to all those around me each and every day who remind me to embrace and make the most of what is, instead of lamenting and getting stuck in fighting what if.