I have been feeling a little unbalanced (as in off-centre, not crazy 🙂 ) the last few days. The feeling that all is right and fine… but not. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. Then an email turned up which led to a youtube audio clip… and voila!
I have been hung up about a thing I did at work, with which despite positive feedback, it would seem I was not pleased. I presented a paper at a small conference and the session went extremely well with lots of engagement and Q&A. Which of course led to time running out while I was only two-thirds of the way through. I was disappointed, but more than that, it bugged me, big time. Of course, being who I am, I have been ‘processing’ this ‘bugged’ feeling and as I said, no divine revelation until now.
By now, I know it wasn’t the fact that I didn’t get to finish the paper – the full presentation is being published so no big issue. It wasn’t that l came out looking ‘bad’ – I had lots of positive feedback and engagement. Neither was it my perfectionistic streak (only a small one 🙂 ) of getting things 100% throwing a tantrum.
What it was is encapsulated in this statement ‘I didn’t get to the punchline’. And the punchline is important to me, personally. It is a message I am compelled to share, my purpose if you like. And for one who is generally quite direct in her communication, I ran out of time? What happened?
There is no accident in life. Only lessons. And this lesson is mine for the week.
I took my eyes off the purpose, my purpose, of the presentation – to share a message of connection. Instead I became attached to outcome and judgment. I was drawn to an intellectual and mechanical exercise of preparing a paper, rather than communicating and sharing a worthy message. It, the paper, became a slave to my ‘more is not enough’ judgment. Academically fine and longer that it ought to be given the time I had. I was prejudging the possible response of the audience and ignored the voice whispering ‘Just be your self. It is enough‘.
I have been on a journey of living a surrendered life. “It is what is it” is a mantra, a meditation to my being. It does not negate doing the best I can, just that I am not hung up about the outcome. It is living to a (dare I say it…) divine purpose. I guess I didn’t spend years on a journey of self-awareness without having at least an inkling of what mine is :-). Yet it would seem on this occasion, surrendered I was not.
So here I am – regaining balance, being centered and not beating myself up about it.
Once again, surrendering to the moment of knowing – there is no mistake in life if we learn from it.
Honouring your purpose,
– FlorenceT
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Very well said! A great thought to apply to so many aspects of our lives, Florence.
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Indeed… alas, just when I thought I’ve learnt the lesson? ☺ Seriously though, one never stops learning. Greg, hope you are well!
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This is so much about how I am at the moment myself. I totally understand your feelings. Thank you for your gentle inspiration. I needed to read this today. Especially today. ❤
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You are welcome 🙂 I needed to write it… Ah, the beauty of community. Hope all turn out as you desire and according to your purpose, my friend.
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Same to you, Florence. Love and peace… 💗
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