I stacked my bike this morning. Would have been hilarious to see. Then the insights started coming.
My first thought after “tree!” and my face full of branches (thank God for helmets and caps with a decent shade on the front) was that this was a great example of why it’s great to look where you’re going. How often do we get distracted by bright-shiny-objects, other people or anything that might be interesting or out-of-place. I thought that was the learning. Most of our lessons in life are actually reminders of something we knew already. “Watch where you’re going!” “Stay focused, keep your eye on the prize.”
Some of the tree came home with me…
My distraction this morning, after moving to the side of the road to let a car pass me, was up to the left – a green space and path between houses followed by an intriguing looking dog on the front step of the next house. It was sitting up a little, looking very alert, but very still and I noticed it, then kept looking at it, thinking “is that actually a real dog or a brilliant replica… then a glance to the front, much too late as there was no time to turn or do anything but slam into the rather prickly tree.
If I’m going to get hurt I may as well take whatever good I can from the situation – usually my first question, as it was today, is “what can I learn? So this was a key insight, as well as my reflection on how funny it would have been to see it – I wonder if anyone behind closed doors looked up at that moment – it might have made their day :)
As I pedaled home, being mindful of traffic and nowhere near any other trees, I also became aware of my thinking about my thinking. I realised that my ability to look for the learning in a painful situation has become natural to me now, and I’m so grateful for this very different world-view than my previous one of feeling sorry for myself and being embarrassed and angry and frustrated with myself. (I still have those moments, but not nearly so often or for very long) I was hurting, my neck, my arms and both my knees had lost a little skin and were stinging like crazy but I was grateful that I could still get myself home.
Evidence of encounter with tree – so you see – I am alright!
I was reminded of previous times when I’d made a mistake, done something really thoughtless like this incident, and been able to laugh at myself. These are great moments now because I see how I’ve grown in my thinking.
I’m grateful for my coach training and experience, all the neuroscience studies and the awareness of mind and brain activity – and the real world applications that I see and that my clients experience everyday too.
I’m spending a lot of time in my upcoming book at the moment, so all my coaching is focused in the same direction. I’m only taking on clients who really want to develop in their abilities to connect with others, be really honest with themselves and increase their awareness of their thinking and habits so they can be the confident communicators and connectors they want to be. Connecting and communicating with purpose, generosity of spirit and clarity. Connecting more authentically, with individuals, strangers and audiences.
I’ve just created a survey to help me stay on track (no pun intended, but I see it now I’ve typed it :) ) and I’d really, really appreciate it if you’d take a few minutes to share your opinion – Click Here.
And you might notice I’ve taken comments from here (due to spamming) so if you’d like to connect any time please send me a note from my contact page, or Facebook, or leave a voice message – see the box on the right? I’d LOVE to hear from you!
Cheering you on,
Kerrie
