Focus on the HOW not the WHAT
Successful living requires us to focus much more on the how, and NOT nearly so much on the what. We are all far too preoccupied with the what i.e. getting results. We want to get our house cleaned and tidied. We want to get through our whole to do list each day. We want our children to pass their exams. We want to earn a certain income each month. But when we put most of our focus on results, we lose our way in life.
A course delegate recently told me a wonderful story that illustrates exactly this. As a child he lived on a remote farm. When heavy rains fell, the bridge often became flooded, cutting the farm off. At one such time they had to travel miles along the riverbank to find a way out, but en route got stuck in deep mud. His Dad went back to the farm to get the tractor to pull them out, with no success. Finally they brought down a team of oxen to help.
In the stress of the moment the foreman starting shouting at the oxen and cracking his whip over their heads. Obviously he thought this would encourage them to pull harder. But the shouting only upset them, and the they became wide-eyed and confused, and started pulling in different directions. The car remained stuck.
My delegate's father saw that this aggressive strategy wasn't working, so he asked the herdsman, who worked with the oxen on a daily basis, to take over. Easily the herdsman moved close to the animals, his voice gentle. He loved these beasts and knew their potential, and he was calm and reassuring. Softly he encouraged his oxen to pull forward. They immediately settled down and started pulling together, and soon the car broke free from the mud.
It's a beautiful and powerful story that speaks of the HOW, and how important the HOW is to success. Consider that 99% of our life span is made up of the HOW - the getting there part of the process. In truth only a tiny percentage is taken up with the moment of achievement. Which measures our true success, 1% or 99%? What really counts is the HOW!
This month, it's not about what presents are under the tree, nor what food you prepare for Christmas dinner. Rather, it's all about HOW you speak to your loved ones when you wake up on Christmas morning, and the atmosphere around the dinner table when you gather to eat. So this December get your priorities right, and give your loved ones a festive meal every day, by including:
PEAS: Peace of mind; Peace of heart; Peace of soul. SQUASH: Squash gossip; Squash indifference; Squash grumbling; Squash selfishness LETTUCE: Lettuce be full of faith; Lettuce be kind; Lettuce be patient; Lettuce really love one another TURNIPS: Turnip for meetings; Turnip for service; Turnip to help one another. THYME: Thyme for others; Thyme alone; Thyme for loved ones. Author unknown.
© Catherine M Glennie
