What I Did Instead
Heading Home
The Unexpected Gift of Unmet Expectations
Summer is quickly coming to a close, and mine ended up being far different than I thought it would. I greeted the season 8 weeks ago with big plans and a hectic schedule. From a business perspective things looked very busy for me, and I fully expected to spend much of my time commuting between our home in the city and our lakeside cabin. But, as plans do, mine unpredictably changed as the summer unfolded, and here’s what I did instead:
Instead of worrying about how to fulfill my purpose, I watched in awe as the moon fulfilled hers.
Instead of feeling obligated to do, I allowed myself to be.
Instead of sharing my knowledge, I allowed my soul to savor the wisdom of others who were put here to share theirs.
Instead of wondering, I asked.
Instead of being on, I was off.
Instead of traveling every week, I stayed put.
Instead of running away from challenging hills, I ran up them – with 2 feet, a water bottle and sheer determination.
Instead of avoiding something new out of a fear of failure, I enthusiastically tried it and succeeded.
Instead of telling, I asked.
Instead of wishing I was with my husband at the cabin, I was.
Instead of speaking, I listened.
Instead of then, I lived now.
Instead of waiting for them to choose me, I chose them.
Instead of focusing on my limitations, I firmly established my limits.
Instead of getting, I gave.
Instead of challenging my circumstances, I challenged my concepts – and my circumstances magically changed.
Instead of listening to one more false promise, I committed to only making real ones.
Instead of looking for them, I let them find me – and they did.
Instead of sacrificing my time, I honored it.
Instead of writing, I read.
Instead of judging, I accepted.
Instead of controlling, I allowed.
Instead of saying maybe, I said yes – or no – with conviction.
Instead of possessing, I shared.
Instead of allowing my calendar to rule me, I ruled it.
What a glorious summer it turned out to be. Instead of becoming more predictable, I unexpectedly became more me.
Sue Jacques is The Civility CEO™, a corporate civility and executive etiquette consultant who helps individuals & businesses gain confidence, earn respect and create courteous corporate cultures.
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©Copyright 2011 Sue Jacques. All rights reserved. You are welcome to copy, quote or share as long as the content is intact and the writer is credited. Thank you.
