For your consideration……
It feels like a lot of today’s message continues on from yesterday’s. Hmmmm.
As I was given the message, I immediately remembered the event being referenced. Several years ago one of the plants that the company I worked for owned was in trouble. It was a new joint venture. While the original management team were all brilliant, indeed the joint venture had been their brain child, they fell short on implementing and production experience. The great idea that was in deep trouble. The original management team was replaced and I was part of that replacement team. Each member of the new management team had a lot of the necessary experience but as a team we were dysfunctional. None of us were shy about our opinions, the shortfalls, what we needed etc. We were a mess. To our plant manager’s credit, he asked for and received permissions for the management team to go offsite to Howie-in-the Hills, Florida for a team building ropes course.
I had never heard of a ropes course. When I asked questions, I thought they were kidding. I simply could not get past the climbing a telephone pole, standing on top and jumping off. I had a couple of problems. First I was the only woman going. While I was used to being the only woman, going for something like this was way out of my comfort zone. Second, I am afraid of heights. I don’t sit by the window in a plane, I don’t look out the window on those elevators that are on the outside of building, I don’t go to restaurants in the tops of buildings etc.
I did express my concern. In fact I said I didn’t want to go. My boss simply never replied. Little did I know at the time the exercise I was so afraid of was the easiest exercise in the program. It is probably a good thing I didn’t know.
Why were we given this memory today? Yes, it is about team building. We are reminded that we are here to support one another. We are all on the same team. It is our job to support our brother or sister. It is also our job to seek and accept support back.
We are also reminded of how much more we can achieve together than separately. Working together we are much greater than the sums of our individual endeavors.
The course teaches people to not only trust their partners but also to have faith in themselves. You have to trust that your partners are not going to let you down. They are going to be attentive and make sure you are successful and that you do not get hurt. However, there are times where you have to let go and believe in yourself. You have to let go of a line and go it alone. You have to believe you can do it. You have to have faith.
Finally, the ropes course was not all physical activities. There were “soft” exercises as well. Oddly enough as afraid as I was of the physical course, the men were afraid of the “soft” exercises. These exercises showed our vulnerability. Everybody has it. Everybody has a story. We just don’t wear it for every one to see. We don’t often think about that. We don’t often think about the story that is supporting the beliefs and motivation behind people. It helps to know those stories but most often we don’t know them. It needs to be enough that we remember that they have one. They have their reasons and if we can just remember that as a starting point, we will all be better off.
Wow, that is a lot for today. Let’s recap:
1. We are part of a team. As a team member we have to give and receive help and be full participants.
2. We need to believe…have faith…..in ourselves.
3. Everyone has a story that is the motivation factor behind their thoughts and actions. We need to remember and respect that as we work towards common ground.
4. Sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zone whether we want to or not. We just have to do it.
That is the HOPE. And so it is.
Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take……
-Meditate/pray…..ask “What is my next step to achieve my highest good and the highest good of all?”
-Drink lots of water.
-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.
-Get lots of rest.
What made me smile yesterday……
-Daughter, Shannon’s, new washer came ending a 3 week saga.
-Daughter, Alex, sounding happy.
-A chill day with AJ and his buddies.
-Talking with Jackie, Jody and Julie all in one day!
Love, Blessings and Gratitude,
Rev. Chris
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