Sitting in a waiting room today.
People had to take numbers and were called in order.
I did not have a number, I was just waiting. And observing.
Two women were waiting for their mother. They spoke in whispers as they did not want me to be privy to their gossip.
An older man walked in and took his number.
His number was the next called, and before going into the office, he checked with the two women to make sure he was not jumping them in line.
“Now there’s a real gentleman,” the first woman said. “Not too many of them left.”
“You can say that again,” agreed the second woman. “Few and far between.”
And in a sentence, I had a clear picture of their relationships.
(When you really listen to someone, all it ever takes is one sentence to know their story.)
The point is this: The stories we tell have power.
Choose yours with awareness.
If you do not like the way it is, your job is to tell it like you want it to be.
Or you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.
Amen.
Drew –
Yesterday I was at a coaching group, and one older guy was completely stuck on the “bad news.” I could feel myself getting impatient, and then I said to him, “You know, your problem solving abilities and analytical abilities were probably amazingly helpful in your work world. But now you’re looking to make a change, and finding the problems won’t work. Now it’s about getting on the “possiblities channel.” Which takes work.” He totally got it.
And I found peace with his “habit” of finding bad news and problems. Because that’s all it is. A habit. Right?
high five,
Christina
@Christina Frei: that’s all it is. a habit. but you have to be aware first.
this is the trick.
tell the story that feels best.
choke on the rest.
(hey, i may steal that from myself!)
🙂
d
Every moment could be a lesson… I found life more intense by watching the little things in my life and paying attention to details. They make the difference. It’s great!