Hi Friend,
What a really fun week it’s been! As usual it was a variety pack of experiences that shape my current life. Professionally and personally I continue to find joy in the unexpected. I did a virtual session for a client about hosting great virtual meetings. It was a bit meta, in that every thing I did, was then the next point of what makes a virtual meeting engaging. It was really fun.
I headed back to Vegas for a day to work with an ESOP. I’ve always thought my Ownership message aligned so well with organizations with that structure. It’s true, it does. I didn’t stay on the strip, so I missed the people watching and wandering that I’ve experienced there before. I did talk to a lady who won $50,000 at Bingo, which kind of blew my mind.
I’ve never been interested in gambling. I like my money too much and work too hard for it, to just give it away on chance. I know people have skills and knowledge. I do not. Walking through the casino a couple of times, I also would say most of them did not have skills either. They have wishes. I did think “None of these folks look glamorous like movies portray gamblers to be.”
All of the slot machines are big digital interfaces that are so bright, colorful and loud, like an arcade game. I did walk by one where a woman was winning $720. I thought “That would be fun to win.” And then thought “I guess that’s why so many people are sitting here, pushing these buttons, they also think it would be fun to win and are having a go at it.”
Since I’ve never ventured to gamble, I’ve never had the sensation of winning.
Paths Unwalked Don’t Tempt!
Our human nature is full of desire. Left on our own, I suspect we’d all be gluttonous fools. We each have our own particular temptations that possess appeal and allure. Our imaginations bend in all sorts of directions, that others find totally uninteresting and yet it can grip our minds in powerful ways.
There are a list of the obvious vices we’re aware of, because most of them have big businesses that have sprouted up to serve them. They tend to be met through physical, tangible means. Then there are the not-so-evident enticements that are primarily emotionally based. Granted all the physical ones are rooted in meeting a need of our soul, but that’s not apparent on first glance.
We’re all tempted to judge others who have different approaches to meeting their needs. Have you ever been disgusted or repelled by someone’s effort to satisfy their soul? Compassion is an antidote.
There but for the Grace of God, go I…
I love that sentiment. It resists harsh judgment swirling in my mind. Don’t get me wrong, I want to make good judgment calls, but not ones against other people. It’s such a common practice of humanity to feel better about ourselves because we aren’t plagued with someone else’s iniquity. Ironically we could have the same emotional void as them, but are attempting to satisfy it in an entirely different way.
Instigating Ideas…
1. Is there someone in your life who needs you to show them grace?
2. Tell someone an unhealthy habit you utilize to meet a soul need.
3. Encourage someone who has avoided a treacherous path.
4. Put it all on red.
I have a healthy reverence for small steps. I’m very aware that individuals who find themselves in addictions or with strongholds in their life, never intended that end result. Most of us have the hubris to think “that won’t happen to me.” On a lesser scale we get entangled in situations trying to meet an emotional need – professionally or personally – that can debilitate us.
Be Mindful of Our Motivators
I’ve been doing a daily two minute rant about our two primary motivators: Love & Fear. Recognizing what’s compelling us to make the choices we’re making today will ensnare or free us in the future. Every fear-based decision shrinks us, while every love-based one enlarges us. Meeting the needs of our soul is rooted in our identity.
Going for a run or eating a box of girl scout cookies, putting $20 in a slot machine or in an investment account, gossiping or having an awkward conversation – these and so many more reflect our sense of self.
I hope this week you are mindful of the decisions you make and the results you anticipate from them. If you have an unhealthy habit, maybe invite someone to partner with you to change it.