In the absence of success, it is easy to question one’s methods. Life likes to challenge my aspirations. Changing my tactics may lead to a high probability of landing on my target, yet it comes with a challenging reflection. If I knew what I know, would I still aim at the same target? Hopefully I would refine my methods and the outcomes I was looking to achieve.
Being open to learning more about how one achieves an outcome is always a good idea. Even if you hit the bullseye perfectly in the centre, understanding how to accomplish the task to achieve an outcome is important. I often find myself celebrating and ignoring lessons which came with results. Along the way I skipped the examination of the choice I made. Both parts of the lesson have, when I follow Life’s lead, been helpful in the moment I have now. Ironically, the same lessons apply to failure, though my forgetfulness is often even more frequent in these situations.
Using the lessons is letting experience help one be better today than s/he was yesterday. I catch myself rebelling when I listen to the candid observation, “Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way,” (James 1.7) I often find myself believing my own press release, caught up in the mythology that I am hoping others believe even though I know the truth behind the words.
Enjoying and learning from the success of others is a great thing to do! As someone who enjoys cooking, the lessons of watching and experiencing the outcomes from another’s heart, mind, and hands, is a wonderful way to learn. Great results as well as those less so are learning opportunities. While the cook is learning, being present, having the conversation, is an opportunity Life gifts anyone willing to grow.
Learning, growing, and the results which follow are never zero-sum games. All have access to the opportunity to be more than s/he is. Inclusion changes everyone involved. Life’s greatest gifts are from the heart. Each is affordable, priceless, and reflects a choice.
