| From
Mandarin to Mouldy Mass…
and other changes
The
mild odour seemed to come and go.
The windows were opened wider, though the waft of fresh air was
somewhat stifled by the intricacies of the layout, which was poorly
positioned for flow through.
Annoyance,
frustration and curiosity
wafted in and out as did the odour. Mild became mid-range then
strong. Frustration came and went until finally the odour moved
up a final notch to outright stench causing a thorough search
by unwillingly willing nostrils to uncover the offending
object.
As
the bag was opened
the dusty mould filtered through the air. The steps back with
much aghast did little to reveal what the mouldy mass once was.
Level
headed clean up completed
I tracked back in my memory to the last time I used the old bag.
“Deary me! It is that mandarin I used as that seriously
meaningful metaphor so many speeches ago. It has taken on a whole
new meaning now! What am I, a child who has left fruit in her
school bag?”
My
first instinct was to throw out the bag.
It was expensive to purchase a new one, though smelly it was once
a sense of pride and still useful. I painstakingly cleaned and
refreshed it, all the while moving between mild self-loathing,
disbelief that I had caused myself this angst and mild amusement.
Eventually I accepted that I am both grown and yet have some way
to go and eventually had a good laugh.
When
people grow they are known as adults.
Adults are expected to do adult things. They expect to be in control
and others expect it of them. So we all put on our adult masks.
Being an adult is serious business, but it is when you take yourself
too seriously that you trip up and the mask falls off. How embarrassing!
Of
course, this is nature’s way of creating change.
We often refuse to deal with things until they either explode
or rot in a bag somewhere, hidden from view but not from other
senses.
Like
it or not things change.
Growth only happens through change. You can resist it, perhaps
throw the bag out and kid yourself that you are now rid of that
problem.
Experience
tells me though,
that most people make the same errors over and over. It is only
when you have said enough is enough in acknowledgement that the
matter needs attention that you can work through the issue. Once
worked through to a resolution it very often magically ceases
to matter any more and you can move to the next level of growth.
No
growth happens without some suffering,
it is the natural way, and it is our resistance to deal with it
that causes the angst.
There
are mandarins in bags everywhere,
best check your bags and attend to the things that will matter
if you don’t give them attention.
Whether
it be
(dare I mention it!) the global economic crisis, an ongoing business
issue or a family conflict, summon your best self, decide on the
ultimate outcome you desire and work with those concerned to deal
with it.
When
you need help
with this please contact me. It is best you have someone to help
that understands the territory. I am still finding the occasional
mandarin… metaphorically speaking of course!
Until
next time,
be brave, emotionally resilient and go with change!
Noelene Dawes
News:
Maxi
motivation in moments on our website and on Twitter:
Two different selections available daily. Noelene's original statements
and questions to help you deal with the day every day.
MiniMotivators
on website
and Twitter
Noelene
Dawes
on Twitter
|
