Empowerment through Choice: From Fear to Courage with Ancient Wisdom👵
Our choices, often made in fleeting moments, shape our reality. They dictate whether we cultivate a world dominated by fear and division or one flourishing with compassion and unity.
Everyday we stand at a crossroads; faced with decisions and choices that shape our lives.
And while it is said that it's the big moments that define us, I argue that it is in the micro-moments, the ones that seen insignificant, where our character and resilience are cultivated. These micro-moments can strengthen our core OR, if we are not mindful, send us spiraling down a vortex of destructive thoughts and actions, knocking us off kilter, distancing us from what we desire most.
This parable brilliantly cuts straight to the heart of truth, reflecting the power of choice in those micro-moments:
The Essence of Our Daily Choices
Every day, multiple times a day, we stand before these wolves, and the choices we make, particularly in fleeting moments, shape our reality. They determine whether we live a world dominated by fear and division or one flourishing with compassion and unity.
It's in what we choose to say, and what we withhold, how we to engage, the actions we take and the thoughts we entertain.
And whether those thoughts are directed at ourselves or others, it makes no difference because feeding the wolf of shame, malice, righteousness: it eats at our core, and destabilizes our peace and influences our actions towards ourselves and others.
In leadership, as in life, it can be tempting to take the path of least resistance, succumbing to ego and anger And it's understandable; beyond whats largely modeled, there's a dopamine kick associated with it, making it both addictive and fleetingly rewarding. But as enticing as it may be, this path is treacherous in the long run.
A Personal Reflection: The Journey Toward Compassion
Acknowledging the presence of these wolves has been transformational for me. Feeding the wolf swayed by ego had become habit, shaped by influential figures and authorities who promoted a dog-eat-dog kind of world and/or were accustomed to putting others down ( self included) in order to feed the need for power.
While these influences can infiltrate our own mannerisms, how we think and behave towards others and ourselves, the road to unlearning - to feeding the wolf of curiosity, fortitude, resilience and peace - is life changing. It requires constant (compassionate) vigilance and an unwavering commitment to growth and wellbeing.
But what I can assure you is this - when you consciously choose which wolf to feed, your world transforms. Each of us will experience this change differently.
A Challenge for You: Which Wolf Will You Feed?
As we forge ahead, I extend to you a challenge: In every decision, every interaction, consider deeply which wolf you are feeding. This is not about an aggressive vigilance, but rather a compassionate awareness, knowing that without awareness we cannot be at choice. But with awareness we can choose… and while we may choose the more perilous path from time to time, we opt to reflect on the chain reactions and results and choose differently the next time we find ourselves at similar crossroads.
This is not merely a choice but a profound responsibility. Our thoughts, words, and actions hold the potential to transform not just our lives but the world at large.
Let us be active architects rather than passive dreamers of a brighter future. Each choice we make lays a brick in the foundation of the world we wish to inhabit, a world where leadership is synonymous with empathy, integrity, growth and genuine connection.
As always, if you are ready for more guidance on “how” and tools, reach out, and let's connect! Whether for 1:1 coaching or corporate work programs that build resilience and enhance mental and emotional wellbeing, we've got you covered!
How to Leverage the Power of A Pause + Micro Moments
Amidst agitation, a simple moment transformed everything. Kneeling on the floor, scrubbing away frustration, I realized the choice before me: perpetuate the turmoil or pivot. Micro-moments hold incredible power—they reset our days, mend relationships, and alter our inner dialogue. It’s about awareness, mindfulness, and building that mental muscle. Gift yourself pauses throughout the day; it’s in these moments that a simple pivot can lead to profound shifts. Embrace these opportunities; they're catalysts for positive change.
Have you recently felt riddled with agitation? Or ever? If you have, you are not alone.
Let me tell you about a moment which, after intense agitation, changed everything: my perspective, my approach and my resolution. And it boiled down to a simple micro-moment. That moment where I chose to pause, to reflect, and pivot…
A few months ago, I had the gift of taking care of two precious, personality-filled pugs, Bear & Bella. In addition to their love, they offered invaluable lessons (click here for the first, fabulous edition :D ):
You know those mornings where you wake up and before you open your eyes, you are already agitated? At what, you have no idea! Perhaps it was a disturbing dream that you can’t even remember, but the urge is to go back to sleep and maybe, just maybe, shake the dream and shake the mood.
One particular morning, after a rough night of sleep, aware I had to deal with a sizable work issue, I groggily rolled over willing myself into a better mindset…
AND THEN… I smelled it.
This wasn’t the first day this had happened. It was the 5th(!!) day.
STRONG. Pungent. Poop. 😩
No matter how late I walked these precious pups - or how early I rose… 2 am on the living room floor was their newfound favorite time and place to relieve themselves.
Already agitated, you can imagine how this impacted my state of mind. I was DONE.
Done with the poo, done with the underlying agitation and issues.
As I knelt on the floor, scrubbing (and scrubbing… and scrubbing) the hardwood floor, I realized that my hands were mimicking my brain: attacking an issue, creating more distress and frustration.
So I stopped.
It was one of those micro-moments where I had a choice: further enmesh myself in my agitation and have that influence the rest of my day - which would be detrimental…
OR…
Pause, acknowledge the frustration without digging a deeper hole, and then pivot: look at how to best resolve the situation at hand and ask myself simple, yet critical situation-shifting questions.
Micro-moments are incredible opportunities that fill our days. And when we leverage them, we:
🧠 Reset and dramatically change the course of the hours and days that follow.
🧠 Turn around problematic situations with colleagues, clients and family members.
🧠 Create opportunities to ask a question (instead of jumping to conclusions), transforming our communication and relationships.
🧠 Reboot between engagements and meetings
🧠 Reroute problematic and debilitating inner dialogue
🧠 Ensure everyone feels heard and understood.
How do YOU leverage micro-moments?
It begins with awareness. It begins with mindfulness. And just like any muscle you build, it gets stronger with use.
Whether you set an alarm or use the “breathe” reminder on your phone, gift yourself regular moments to pause, reflect, and see if there is a simple or needed pivot.
I promise, you won’t regret it.
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