Sunday, August 20, 2017

Aching For A Place of Significance

Photo courtesy of www.findingtruthmatters.org

Significance matters. It matters to the husband in the home. It matters to the wife in the home. It matters to employees that develop consistently good work, it matters to colleagues who bring a winning attitude to the board. It matters to school districts who tirelessly seek strongly devoted educators to invest in our youth. Significance matters to the child who's very existence flourish from the love and care of parents and family. Significance matters.

But what happens when we feel less significant or even, insignificant in the socially connected circles wherein we reside? How stammering it is when we find ourselves pushed beyond the outer edges of our connected circles. The deep disconnect that often occurs leaves us at times without words to articulate to others what we are feeling and that too can leave us with feelings or agitation and aggravation.

When there is a "disconnect" from a perceived power source, it lends itself to a spiraling down effect. Depending on your ages here (this is targeted to Boomers right about here) remember the old television sets that once shut off or disconnected, the picture or rather the screen didn't just go black/blank. But the screen appeared to shrink or spiral into one little dot on the tube and then it went blank. The same scenario within us occurs when we disconnect from any circle that validates our love, commitment, skills, and experiences, our self-worth, our belonging. We all need to be a part of something that gives credence to who we are and what we believe. No matter if it is perceived as something good and uplifting and empowering or if it is perceived as something bad, wrong, and desecrating - everyone has a need to belong.


Photo courtesy of Diane Egbers - Executive Coach

When there is an "aching for a place of significance" we find ourselves drawn into areas of our lives that tend to darken or shadow our paths. Adultery, greed, addictions, bitterness, aggression, hypochondria, depression, and even suicide can result from those that feel they have been marginalized; seemingly devalued. When closely evaluated it can be detected that the spawning of dictatorships is the direct results of individuals who at some time or another, were made to "feel" insignificant, devalued, and pushed out. 

How do we overcome feelings of insignificance? 
  • Know who YOU are! Self-worth is not ascribed to us by anyone other than the One who created us. Everything we have within us that composes who WE are did not come from anyone nor anything here on this earth. It came with US

    Therefore, it cannot be taken away, it cannot be forbidden, it needs no introduction, it requires no validation - it only mandates that it is put into practice! Validation comes when we step into our divine 'Purpose' and illuminate in and through revelation. Every step leading up to this is invaluable. It is at this point it is revealed that we can go it alone (without the validation of others) to accomplish divine assignment.

  • Priceless jewels are guarded! Once a rare and priceless jewel has been discovered it quickly becomes guarded. A rare jewel does not lose its value because it is not placed on public display (anybody remember Ms. Elizabeth Taylor? Even though she revealed her collection of exquisite jewels prior to her death, it was not available to the public except through broadcast television and no one handled that collection except Ms. Taylor).

    So it is with us...not one person is a duplicate of the other. We are divine and we administrate a divine agenda. We are rare. We are priceless. We are distinguished. Get this now, we illuminate when we stand on our designated platforms to achieve our missions. We do not have to fight and push and lie and manipulate for our significance - it's already there! Realizing it is the difficult part.
    Photo courtesy of www.leadthroughstrengths.com

  • Being at peace within ourselves as we journey the paths. Remember when we were school age? Remember being in the classroom with your hand raised high and excitedly waving at the teacher to be chosen to answer a question, or to assist in completing a project? Remember how it felt to not be chosen for that particular task? Did it feel as though the teacher "didn't like" me or you at the time? Just because we aren't chosen for various projects, or included in meaningful events that occur within our connected circles does not mean we are less relevant; insignificant to those whom it matters most.

    What this means is the time for sharpening our tools to reach and uplift humankind should be taking place. The time needed for restoration to build momentum and gain traction to continue this journey must happen (or we're headed for serious burn out). This time lends itself to growing, developing, expanding, broadening, reflecting, shaping, and above all, mastering the innate gifts given to us to wisely use for their purposed end - lifting humanity. We do not have to be on "every" set. Every team. Every project. Every committee. Every anything. But we do have to be READY when called upon. Be at peace with that!
Conclusively, significance matters. It matters that we know who we are. It matters that we accept our validation as divine from the Divine. It matters that we know we are invaluable; priceless. It matters that we are called to 'step into' divine assignment as we move closer to our divine destinies. Significance matters - but our drive for understanding and realizing this should not take us off course, but rather, guide us in it.

Keep Going!


The Consultant

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Who Knows Where Inspiration Comes From (Streetwize -Lost Without U)



God knows I've never blogged a video compilation of a group, solo artist or anyone else for that matter but not only did this grab my attention, it changed the whole flow of energy throughout my home. This is a magnificent piece - just what the doctor ordered!

Listening to my favorite streaming music service (Pandora of course) and struggling, struggling, struggling through an awful attempt to complete a blog post (https://livingconsultant.blogspot.com) which by now had me so totally drained and uninspired to go any further this came through just in time. With today being a national holiday and all, I wanted a sleepy relaxing day where my mind would be free to wander and be free of any type engagement I'm belabored with an incomplete assignment.

Sitting here at the PC for 4 hours doing everything but completing my post (not saying it isn't significant because it definitely is) yet, my determination to pull through this was undying. Then BAM! Out of nowhere comes this beautiful jazz arrangement of a song I totally love but love this arrangement even more - I just wanted to get up and dance, or go outside and play in the water using the garden hose, or be on a beautiful yacht in the middle of some beautiful expansive river with the cool breeze flowing and enjoying great conversation with close friends!

Streetwise
(Image courtesy of Fotolog)
And then when I saw the artists performing this arrangement  - I could have died! These look like babies still attending prom at the local high school. For real?!!

This is what dedication to craft and skill looks like. I can only imagine the hours the artists spent rehearsing, and writing, and listening, and feeling, and composing while rearranging... and making it happen. And now, to grab the attention of an Old Timer like me that it changes the course of my day and energy is beyond great. 

This same dedication to crafting skills is necessary in order to reach mastery. The hours spent now working, defining, researching, engaging, and sitting in (even on holidays when barbecuing is calling) suggests a higher calling being pursued.  When you have to struggle past the grind of complacency and setting your sights on higher ground the dedication and passion needed for the climb come by mysterious ways. One just never knows what motivational catalyst will come to move, shake, and rock away the boredom; listlessness. 

So hang in there! Yeah, your project(s) might start off funky and you feel as though you're locked in a dungeon as you watch and hear others dance and play. You just might have to sit at your PC and stare into nothingness. Remember, once its breaks its wide open -- and now you're the one wind sailing, enjoying exotic vacations, or simply barbecuing, because you won't have to wait for holidays to enjoy - any day becomes your (holiday) day! An earned day of rest is always sweeter!



Keep Going!

The Counselor