Skip to main content

Acceptance



In my professional world I am known for my energy, enthusiasm and get-it-done attitude.  Yes, these are all great traits to have, and yet they sometimes get in my way of the desired end result.  I have found that over the last several weeks of meditation and prayer, I am calmer and more accepting of most situations.

Yesterday my  miracle occurred during an ordinary meeting.  Many of the usual cast of characters around a big square shaped table on a conference call.  And the usual nay-sayer on the phone asking questions that we answered two months ago during the project.  This is normally the most frustrating thing in the world to me.

Believe me I've tried lots of action plans here.  I've met with this person one-on-one to talk the project through, I've sent summarized meeting notes so that they are always caught up and I try, whenever possible, to show I'm supportive of this person's view and questions.  Not sure if any of that is working.

Yesterday when the same thing was happening for what seemed like the 100th time, I explained and then sat back.  I didn't feel I needed to solve it.  I accepted exactly where I was - and that it was exactly where I was supposed to be.  It really didn't involve the other person, or members in the meeting.  It was about me - since I am the only thing within my control.  My actions and reactions are all I got .. I don't hold the strings to anyone else.  That in mind, I can help to influence, yet ultimately my actions are all mine.

It was very liberating.  I didn't need to control the outcome, the meeting's or even mine.  I felt free from the strain it normally causes and allowed me to move along to the next thing.

I didn't realize this miracle until someone mentioned the meeting and how cool I'd remained.  Ahhh, I thought, that's my miracle!!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Month of Miracles

photo credit:   http://marcestes.com/2011/02/11/miracles-the-need-for-the-hour/ In the tradition of continuing the commitment to writing each day, I am beginning the month of December as I have for many years…. with a passage from Simple Abundance about December. "December's gifts - custom, ceremony, celebration, consecration - come to us wrapped up, not in tissue and ribbons, but in cherished memories.  This is the month of miracles.  The oil that burns for eight days, the royal son born in a stable, the inexplicable return of Light on the longest, darkest night of the year.  Where there is Love, there are always miracles.  And where there are miracles, there is great joy. Gratefully, we weave the golden thread of .. joy in our tapestry of contentment.  At last we embrace the miracle of authenticity, changing forever how we view ourselves.  Our daily round.  Our dreams.  Our destinies.  Days we once called common, we now call hol...

#BeBrave

I found myself in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place this week.  It's taken me days to process what occurred, how I responded and how I'm choosing to move forward. In a professional environment, during an ordinary 3pm de-brief meeting I found myself being verbally attacked and disrespected by a bully.  I remained calm, spoke my mind carefully and respectfully.  It was surprising and over the next few days became increasingly unsettling. There were others in the room, and no one spoke to support me.  It has struck me as so odd, hurtful and profoundly unacceptable. Like any good drama episode written by Aaron Sorkin or JJ Abrams, let's rewind to 8 hours earlier. Once again browsing new selections in iTunes for my running mix.  I know, I get bored easily, huh?  I love how the music motivates me so I'm always on the lookout for new and upbeat songs.  I came across a feature for the new Sara Bareilles album streaming for free this weekend, so I b...

Day 19: My first job

Memories of my childhood bakery with a cannoli …. As this roller coaster ride of emotions and outpouring continues on Day 19 challenge to blog each day in the month of November for Blogember I recall my first job. I often say that when we recall the past, things that appear to have gone on forever, are often relatively short in the grand scheme of things.  After my dad passed away when I was 8, my mom remarried a year later.  By the time I was 10 they went into business together opening a neighborhood Italian bakery on the west side of the town I grew up in. This was long before the days of Carlo's Bakery where cakes cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars. A bakery was a lot of hours and energy for very little profit back then.  To that end, I was cheap labor and was trained to bag rolls and make change at the cash register.  In retrospect it talk me a lot about customer service, the value of relationships in returning customers and how running a family b...