September 2013 Blog - Seeking what’s next? Thinking like a child may help.
by Susan Myhre Hayes on 09/08/13
September 2013 Blog - Seeking what’s next? Thinking like a child may help.
My book, Peace in the Puzzle: Becoming Your Intended Self,
contains advice that people would like to have given to their younger
selves, and there is a lot to be learned from these voices of wisdom. But
spending time with my grandchildren made me realize that we could all get good
advice from younger people, too, as we strive to be our intended selves.
My grandchildren frequently ask to play hide and seek when I am
with them, and they squeal with delight during the seeking stage and again when
I find their hiding place. The younger they are, the more likely it is that they
will tell me where they are going to hide and then hide in the same place over
and over again. Knowing that they are going to found does not decrease the
anticipation and the joy once found.
In contrast, when I am in a transition and seeking what is next in
my life, I often find the experience frustrating. No squeals of delight
from me! I question when I will find what I am seeking, and if I will
ever find what I am seeking. These nagging questions can make me
anxious.
Just as my grandchildren know that I will find them, I know that
the cooperative universe supports me as I seek to find my way to my intended
self. When I forget this and get impatient and even anxious, I will think
of my grandchildren patiently waiting until they are assuredly found. I
will enjoy the seeking and squeal with delight as I continually get closer to
my goal.
A common question that I get from readers is, “What if I never find my peace of the puzzle?” Knowing that the search will always be supported and rewarded by the cooperative universe, I think again of my grandchildren. At our annual summer vacation, my grandchildren love to fish. One day, even though they were vigilant and patient, they got “skunked” and caught no fish. The next day, they got a few nibbles and caught one each. One the third day, they pulled in a sunfish almost every time they cast out. Squeals of delight never abated. Once again, while they enjoyed the “catching”, they also enjoyed the anticipation of the “catching.” I vow to be more like them and enjoy the journey to my intended self.
Voices of wisdom can come from any age group. Vow to enjoy
“the seek” and much as the find on your journey to your intended self.