FRESH IDEAS FOR TODAY'S CHALLENGES
All of us are exposed to old fashioned ancient universal thoughts and experiences we dismiss as out-of-date, consider irrelevant and reject. Yet somehow at some point in your life, you will spend time and effort learning to understand their meaning and significance. We ask why and the best answer I can give is the story(probably fictional) of the Yale Philosophy Professor whose final exam consisted of one question: “Why”. His students were puzzled and began frantically writing, citing all kinds of ancient wisdom from the philosophers throughout the ages, filling exam notebook after notebook. One student smiled, wrote two words, handed in the one sheet exam paper and walked out in less than a minute. He received the highest grade on the test: 100% - A+.
His Answer: WHY NOT?
So when an event occurs and you are faced with the question of why, why me, why him or her, why them, or why now, instead of worrying, creating anxiety, anger or fear, let your rational mind answer “why not?”, smile and move on. The “why not” lets you, your thoughts and actions help to create the “why” and your answer “why not” is the beginning of the solution.
For example, you are seeking a life-mate or soul-mate to spend your life with and have a chance opportunity to meet someone recommended by a friend or a work colleague. You’ve had a blind date or two before which have been disastrous. Adding to this equation is that that person you can meet lives 3,000 miles away aned is only available for two hours from 9 am – 11 am.
WHY? This has not worked before, the person works and lives 3,000 miles away, probably is in a committed relationship and is doing a favor. The time is not conducive to meet and besides, your friend and colleague may have already described you in a similar light so that this person may think you are a loser. You’ve been rejected before and the chances are it will happen again. You’ve heard the descriptions before – of how great, lovely or handsome this person is and how much you have in common, only to find out when you meet, that she is from Pluto, not Venus or he is a Caspar Milquetoast, not a White Knight in Shining Armor.
WHY NOT? What’s two hours. So, it’s in the morning. At least it’s not going to be expensive or something that you have to put on your finest to make a good impression. You could say no, but it’s your friend or colleague. You don’t want to let them down and all you can lose is two hours of your time. If it doesn’t work, you can retreat and be 3,000 miles away. What’s another rejection. Like Thomas Edison, you will at least learn what chemistry doesn’t work with yours. You’re a person of integrity. And what if this is THE ONE and you blew the opportunity? You’re not a woulda, coulda, shoulda person, are you?
What would be your answer? Would you pre-judge or place restrictions, or say yes and develop an excuse at the last minute? Or would you go for it?
I was faced with this same situation and by answering “Why Not”, it changed by life in many ways. So much so, that it was a catalyst to my writing, mentoring, coaching, problem-solving and facilitation skills.
Here’s the excerpt from my book, The Power of Creative Genius:
“When the Student is ready, the Teacher will appear”
Old Zen Proverb
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE
YOUR
POWER OF CREATIVE GENIUS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Year’s Eve, 1983. Cave Creek, Arizona. A real low point in my life. Lonely, frustrated, broke. In the midst of a divorce.
Since I’d separated 6 months earlier, I promised myself I would do one positive thing each day. I’d already recited the Lord’s Prayer, but hadn’t done my positive act. What was I going to do?
What I did changed my life.
I wrote a love letter to my imaginary new bride to be read on New Year’s Eve, 1984. Didn’t know a name or had a clue.
Winning a basketball game with the Lord’s Prayer is one thing, but writing a letter to someone you’ve never met and believe you are going to marry! If ever there was an act of blind faith, this was it.
After writing the 6 page letter, I addressed the envelope “ To my would-be bride, to be read on New Year’s Eve 1984”, put the letter inside and forgot about it. Somebody up there didn’t.
My divorce is final in May and in July, for some unknown reason, I am attracted to and buy a lady’s green turquoise ring at Huapaho Indian Trading Post in Cave Creek, Arizona. The ring is inscribed with the name of the Navajo Silversmith - Billy Eagle.
In late August, I visit family and friends in Bridgeport, Connecticut en route to attend my paralegal son’s wedding in Great Neck, Long Island. I bring the ring, don’t know why. My good friend Alan insists I meet this lady from Stamford named Patsy. He gives me her phone number.
I call. Patsy is only available for breakfast on Labor Day. Breakfast on Labor Day? Who takes a blind date out for breakfast?
Why not?
Patsy and I lie on opposite coasts. No harm, no foul! Besides, my plane leaves on Wednesday morning.
I go. She has prepared breakfast. We go to the beach and talk. I give her the ring. It fits and is her birthstone.
The rest is history. Patsy and I are married 3 ½ months later in Cape Town, South Africa. My first trip outside Continental North America, a 14 hour flight on the wings of a big South African Airways 747 eagle.
On New Years Eve, we share the love letter written 1 year earlier, before I even knew she existed.
The teacher? … you decide. Someone out there? Billy Eagle, Alan, a higher authority? Maybe.
Maybe, just maybe, it was me … the crative genius inside that believed in myself and went the distance on blind faith to find my soul mate.
DO I BELIVE IN MIRACLES? … YES.
But never do I ever underestimate my Power of My Creative Genius.
And never should you!
If this true story struck a chord or reminded you of a similar experience, I’d love to hear from you. If you are faced with a “WHY” situation and have concerns of how to interpret or navigate, I am available to chat with you.
I use no label, hold myself out as an expert in any field or make promises to change your life or destiny. Only you can do it. My help, if any, will come from some hidden insight or spark or “aha” moment that may be activated when we chat. I use my varied life experiences and common horse sense developed from problem solving abilities gained through work and study, including my legal and judicial career.
See my bio and resume, because I am applying for a job to assist you in moving to a new level or resolving a issue that has kept you captive.
When we meet, whether in person or online, your solution may come from a variety of sources, some very tried, true and traditional and others from non-traditional sources such as insight, meditation and wisdom from ancient masters.
So that we may have a productive experience, only two appointments are available per day. Some appointments may last several hours; others may only require minutes, depending upon your willingness to produce results. The process is results-oriented. Be prepared to move forward and to change your approach and attitude. If you are invested in staying stuck and wishing to be a victim, then do not contact me as it will be a waste of your time and money.
How will you pay me? Based on value, which you will determine at the conclusion of our session. What you pay me is your assessment of the value I have provided. It has been my experience your determination of value will be the value you will receive. Your assessment of value may be based on your resources. For one person, it may be $10.00. For another, it may be $1,000 or more. For a business or a company, it may be a retainer or a negotiated fee for ongoing assistance.
I reserve the right to terminate our chat at any time without charge if I feel I cannot assist you. I also reserve the right to suggest or refer you to other sources or persons who may be in better position than I to assist you. I’m in the thought, action, mind and spirit realm, not an MD brain surgeon or a Psychiatrist.
If you determine there is no value, then that is exactly what you will receive and your reward may be that you remain stuck or are not moving to the level you seek.
If that happens, maybe the reason is very much like the story about the person of faith who falls overboard and says “God will save me.” A rope is extended and rejected. So is a life preserver and a passing unmanned rowboat. After the person drowns, goes to heaven, and asks God “Why did you not save me?”, the Lord replies, “Why did you not grab the rope or hold onto the life preserver or climb into the unmanned rowboat I sent.”
I’m interested in your results, not your excuses. And when you do get results and maybe feel there is some magic or miracle attached to the time I spent with you, please do not hold me out as such. Because it was not me who turned your life around or created the windfall or brought that special person into your life;
IT WAS YOU!
Because your answer to “WHY?” was “WHY NOT?”