Day 3,343

Growth:

“Pleasant experiences make life delightful.  Painful experiences lead to growth…  Suffering points out an area in which you have not yet grown, where you need to grow and be transformed and change.  If you knew how to use that suffering, oh, how you would grow!”

Anthony de Mello, Awareness

So easy to be happy when times are good. So tempting to wish for ease and happiness when we are struggling rather than accepting the pain.

Intentional action and focus are needed to remember to be present in moments of suffering, our natural tendency is to avoid the suffering, but we must choose to face it head on, accept it, AND maintain the unwavering faith that it will lead us to growth.

Choose to mind the GAP, choose Growth, Appreciation, and Presence.

Appreciation:

While this likely could slide into the Growth section just as easily it feels right settling into this place as the focus of my gratitude today.

Leading others isn’t about telling others what to do. It lies in laying out a vision, finding people with similar values and passions, and the providing the resources they need to accomplish great things.

The more I’ve pushed, managed, and directed the worse I’ve led. The more I’ve equipped, opened up, shared a vision, emboldened, and set free the more great things my teammates have done and created.

So many reminders today that my teammates can accomplish so many amazing things so long as I remember when to step back and allow them the space to grow.

Presence:

This moment from so many years ago still maintains clarity even after more than a decade. Pure joy, excitement to be alive, gratitude for the new day. If I ever need a smile this clip nails it!

Thanks!!!