As I ready myself for another week on the road, planning what to take with me as the summer temperatures we have been experiencing dip back to the mid to low teens, I am experiencing the anticipation – a mixture of excitement and anxiety. I think ahead to each group I will meet, imagine their faces and their response to the Insights presentation, their laughter when they read their Insights profile and recognize themselves and the spirit which fills the room. I am grateful to be called to this work, and to observe others as they see themselves. It is an apt beginning for the ME FIRST journey, an opportunity to acknowledge themselves.
Each day I set an intention for sending a tidal wave of ME FIRST energy around the world and back to me. I have been doing this for several months now and it is always interesting to observe just how this intention manifests. This is one of many ways.
At the end of June we head to Prince Edward Island to offer two ME FIRST Retreats, which appear to be fully booked, host an evening of ME FIRST as well as attract new clients. I have always loved the island and have previously worked there – warm, fun, a little more low-key than my neck of the woods. As we plan these events I have this question in the back of my head – how can we create that tidal wave I spoke of?
I know and accept that the answer rests with the Universe and I am watching and listening for the answer. A few roadSIGNS have appeared including some recent ‘big AHA!’ moments we have coached with clients and workshop participants as well as a story on CBS radio – The “Jessica Effect’. Years ago there was a young girl trapped in a well for several hours/days. The event drew interest from around the world as TV watchers held their breath and cheered on the rescue team. At that same time the genocide in Rwanda was occurring which basically went unnoticed. Thousands died as the world focused on saving one child from a well. Why is that?
The psychologist interviewed explained that most of us can focus only on one small act at a time, that the magnitude of something like Rwanda is simply to big for us to take in. This made me think about our dream for ME FIRST and the meaning of influencing one person, or a small group, at a time. Is it this that leverages ME FIRST into the world?
Margaret Meade said, “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world, indeed this is the only thing that ever has”. Likewise Mother Theresa understood that she could only influence the poverty and homelessness in Calcutta by beginning with one child.
And so it is, I continue to ponder the road ahead for us and how to best serve. What I know for sure is that ME FIRST, this work, makes a difference and we are only beginning – baby steps first. It means setting an intention that every act we as roadSIGNS engage at truly makes a difference for someone else and that it is always sourced from love.
Back to the trip ahead, I will cross Canada in the next five days visiting five cities and meeting five unique groups of health care professionals. They above all groups, need ME FIRST, at least in my view. Having worked myself in the Canadian Health Care System for 25 years, I know the demands and how these have changes through the years. I also see the lack of respect that those of us outside the system have for our health care professionals, complaining about our health care system. I agree, there are aspects which could be improved, yes and, has anyone looked south of the border where millions have no access to health care. How fortunate we as Canadians are.
Time to pack…
Until next time,
Betty