Focus Amidst Tornados!
Challenge: It’s hard to stay focused and committed to your life purpose amidst the busyness of life. What would be your image to lean on to during the day to stay steady?
I have committed and recommitted to myself many times, too many to count, to stay steady and not be rocked by the crashing waves around me. I have chosen a “tornado” as my image and it happens to be the logo for I Dare to Act. I will give 3 reasons – you chose the correct one, ok?
Are you Spiraling Up or Spiraling Down?
In the classic movie, or at least in my opinion it is a classic, The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne is talking in the courtyard with his friend Redd about his innocence and the need for HOPE. Andy says, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best thing.” Shortly after he says the life changer, “…either get busy living or get busy dying.” The tornado image is a reminder to me to get busy living and ask “Are you Spiraling Up or Spiraling Down?”
Impeccable Words?
I have a temper that is like a raging lion hidden just beneath the surface, and it rages at the slightest personal injustice. Unfortunately, my temper is usually pointed at the people I care about the most – my wife, my kids, my friends. I read a life changer for me, The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz that has helped me deal with my anger and how I relate to people. The first agreement is to use impeccable words. To think before you talk to make sure you are saying what you truly mean and to use the correct tone. It reminds me of Jesus stooping to draw in the dirt before answering about the right treatment of the adulterous woman. I use the tornado to remind me to “draw in the dirt” to ensure I am using impeccable words.
Avoid the Vortex.
I, like most men, will do just about anything to avoid going to the doctor. Not sure why that is but it is an unwritten truth! A friend of mine says, “if I don’t go to the doctor I don’t know if I have anything wrong with me.” A burying your head in the sand kind of thinking. For me it is a mixture of procrastination and fear of knowing and fear of the treatment. YES – I am a chicken and I know it. Have you ever witnessed a love one who gets afflicted with a terrible illness, a cancer say? Quickly, their health and getting better is the only thing that matters and the tests and treatments that they once feared and avoided become their lives. They get swept up in the vortex of life. The tornado is a reminder to me to “Keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight” and avoid the certain life vortex as long as possible.
OK – you have the three reasons for the tornado image – is it:
Spiraling Up or Spiraling Down
Use Impeccable Words
Avoid the Vortex
The correct answer is ALL the Above – trick question, I know. The tornado image, for me, has layered meaning and has been extremely helpful in keeping me centered and focused on things that truly matter. I have this image all around me – in T-shirts, ballcaps, decals – as a ready reminder.