The conversation’s intensity was overwhelming. As much as one might want to leave, or at least cool things down, there was no way to not be engage. Although most knew each other, as one on the fringe, you could feel that this was going in the wrong direction.
From my vantage point, everyone had retreated to go-to places and positions. The sense of community had been forgotten. The group’s shared purpose and aspirations seemed to had been misplaced. Threads that had bound this group together now lay on the ground, broken.
I wish I could take credit for the turn, but it was another’s observation that changed the conversation’s course. “What happened to our goal?”
Another paused, considering the question. “I don’t know.”
With an injection of the right question, everything changed. It took a bit of time, with a few excursions that I thought was going to break the spell, but harmony returned. If you had eavesdropped after a short time, you would have had no idea how volatile and angry the conversation had been.
I walked away determined to learn from the experience. The lessons that resonate in my life include the follow.
Always remember the destination. Forgetting where one wants and needs to go is probably the best way to get lost. Admittedly one needs to have a view; reflection does come to mind. However, if one drifts off course, the wrong destination will be the result.
Aspire to always be in your go-to place. Under pressure, it is easy to return to a place of comfort. Where is that? Using a metaphor to set the stage for the question; “Birds build their nests in those trees; look – the stork at home in the treetop.” (Psalm 104.17) Where is the place that we are most comfortable. Is that where we really want to go and be?
Use every indication of disharmony as a trigger an alert reminding your heart and mine of your best aspirations and greatest destination.
We got there in the end, though it was the long way round.
