March was truly an exciting month in Indy. Our Butler Bulldogs provided us with a tremendous amount of inspiration, entertainment and hope. I am still catching my breath.
This early April morning I walked out the front door and low and behold my ferns had grown at least 10 inches overnight! Wow!
Where’s the connection?
The right conditions facilitate rapid growth. Whether you are person or a plant - you’ve got to have the right conditions.
What are the right conditions? I believe:
* A clear intention or desire
* A calm yet energized presence
* Support and encouragement
* Knowledge or strategy
Do you have these elements in your life? If you lead people, do you provide this for your employees? What about your children?
Thank you Coach Brad Stevens for showing us what it is to lead without yelling and throwing things; thank you mother nature for the right rain, sun and protection from pests for my plants!
I hear them echoing through the neighborhoods; it happens every Friday at 11 AM sharp. I can count on it. I feel comfort in them because it always happens.(For you non-Indiana people this is the time the emergency sirens are tested. )
When change is happening; when life feels rocky – I look to those things that are constant for comfort.
I look out the window and it is snowing; I feel comfort knowing in about 6 weeks buds will be coming out on the trees – it always happens it’s a constant.In the Fall those leaves will turn color and fall…it always happens.
The other constant I have is my thoughts. I choose to be constant about gratitude.My last thought before sleeping is gratitude; the first thought on waking is gratitude.Nobody can take that away regardless of circumstances.
In October I wrote about how ‘nice’ is as ineffective as ‘confrontational.’ One reader asked me about the ‘nice’ person who surprises everyone by suddenly becoming very angry and full of rage. A very close analogy is cooking with a pressure cooker, which I do on a regular basis. Many people are afraid of pressure cookers and for good reason. If the pressure is not released, it explodes, very much like the person mentioned above.
One law of physics is very important to know:
When temperature rises so does pressure in an enclosed space. The secret to pressure cooking is balancing the heat applied with the pressure released. This is also true with people. Being too ‘nice’ usually requires living an unspoken lie - which increases internal pressure. This person may:
Say ‘yes’ too much and be over committed
Feel mistreated and not be able to speak up appropriately
Feel uncomfortable asking for help
Have extraordinary demands on him or her because of life circumstances
The answer is simple, although not easy. Obey the law:
Reduce the heat- by asking for help; learning to say ‘no’
Release the pressure- exercising; belly breathing; journaling; talking to a trusted advisor
Increase the space- center yourself; create some ‘me’ time and get very clear about who you choose to be
Or, if this is an issue for someone close to you, be sensitive to his or her limits and help out! Although, readily accepting help may be difficult for this person. Recognize “I can do it,” may be code for “I need help.”
The holidays are around the corner. You can bet I’ll be correctly applying this law of physics both in my kitchen and with my schedule! How about you?
