I am not sure how many people have seen the film Braveheart. It is one of my all time favorites in spite of all of it's gore. Recently I have found myself in a time of pruning, rebirth, recreating, restructuring, redefining, take your pick. It's all true. For any that have known me and our family I have spent the last few years writing and piloting curriculum. We spent the summer running camps and getting traction to prove a successful business model. Like starting any business, I wore many different hats. All hats I was comfortable wearing, regardless it was still many. One early morning driving into one of our camps my son asked me a question. A question I found to be both intuitive and insightful. He said, " mom, I do not mind these camps, but we have been working very hard....(pause) Is this really the quality of life you want for us? (sigh) I think that is a question I will always cherish and use as a part of my decision making process. It is one that helps keep focus and intentionality and to live a life that is not reactionary.Something I work very hard at. I am glad to know that he is able to ask such questions of me and of himself. I feel like somewhere, some of this parent talk is not just something he hears, but honestly processing. Hmm... Is this the quality of life you want?
All of our traction paid off as we have reached yet another milestone of validity. Validation: when someone or some one's believe enough in your business model and company that they are willing to invest in it and in you. I have learned that this is a fundamental step in any start up. It has taken many times back to the drawing board, wracking my brain, banging my head, biting my nails, cutting my hair, (I will spare you of any more details, ) until finally I chose to see my situation differently. It was not a personal rejection of me, of my product, of my purpose. It was simply a business model. This is a positive challenge to be embraced, not a personal attack to destroy me. It was not personal at all. So much of life is not personal. This is a good thing. This means that we are not victims unless we choose to hold on to the illusions of it it being personal. It is a life lesson. An opportunity to master one's self, to advance to the next level if you will of one's own character. Though not pretty, often bloody and painful. It has a purpose if we desire to make it so. Hardships are like a sport to train for, to master to win. Learning the fundamentals of a sport are often times challenging, require extra hard concentration and work, but when mastered the results are liberating and life changing.
There were many times I felt the anguish Mel brilliantly portrays as he lets out his gut wrenched scream Freedom. In many hard times this scene has popped into my head. It has helped me to feel motivated at my the very core and to remember the purpose I desire to achieve. Often times I felt as if I looked as ridiculous and bloody as one in battle. Only with out the tangible evidence of battle cries and weaponry.
Sure, I recognize my purpose may not be as grandiose. All of us have our own unique battles and wars to win. Cheers to Freedom! Not taking things personally, winning personal battles, and taking the challenge of mindful mastery.
