I rarely sit. I stand when I have meetings on my computer. I pace and pick up items around the house when I am in deep thought. I listen to podcasts and talk on the phone during my daily long walks. I rarely sit.
However, there is one place where I actually invest in time on a chair and that is at our cabin during the summertime. For some reason the lake mesmerizes me. I can sit and stare at it for hours. I spend time watching the loons paddle past, the branches dancing in the breeze, and the ever-changing sunset. It is my place to sit and reflect.
As I sit and watch the water, I reflect on experiences from the past and consider what might come in the future. As I sit and think, I’ve noticed that the lake seems to have a magical quality that allows it to mirror my emotions. At times, waves crash upon the rocky shore mimicking a difficult time I’m experiencing. There are also times when a light ripple mirrors an anxious sensation I’m feeling. And then, there are the rare times when it’s perfectly calm and peaceful.
Calm is always the one that catches me off-guard because, paradoxically, it’s the time when I have the most uncertainty. A person who rarely sits does not often experience “calm.” It can be a time when I’m disoriented from not being in constant motion. It’s the sensation that arrives on a lazy Sunday afternoon when the rush of the weekend is over and the overfilled schedule starting Monday has yet to arrive. It’s the lull between transitions; a disorientation that causes me to wonder which way is up.
All of us at some time or another can be turned upside down. We can have different feelings and emotions crash in on us, the ripples of an unforeseen undercurrent affecting us, and the calm of serenity.
What I’ve learned about myself is that whether I am experiencing a crash, ripple, or calm I always need to be connected to people who can show me which way is up. They help me see through all the thoughts, feelings and sensations: to consider my purpose and my passion. They remind me which way is up.
Regardless of our experiences or how we respond to them, it’s important to remind ourselves which way is up. We may not always be able to reorient ourselves, but if we take a moment to reflect and connect with people who care about us, they can help guide us to finding which way is up.
KerryOn Questions
- What is happening in your life when you experience a crash, ripple, and calm?
- Who are the people that help guide you to find which way is up?
- What are the ways you can remind yourself which way is up?
The Kerry behind KerryOn
My name is Kerry K. Fierke, Ed.D. (pron. Fear-Key) I have a unique combination of skills and experience – decades of fast-paced corporate experience in Fortune 100 companies and large health care organizations, combined with the academic rigor of a highly ranked research university. My focus is supporting others to create their own path to leadership development, lifelong learning, and a unique leadership legacy. Take a moment to focus on leadership, then KerryOn!
To see all KerryOn's and other leadership stuff, visit www.kerrykfierke.com.
Commentaires