Of Course

This was the first thing I said when my husband asked me to marry him years ago.  It was such a natural response to a question I had absolute certainty about.  I could have said “Sure”, but instead I shouted, “Of course!!!”

At the end of this past year, I started strategizing about my goals for 2016.  As I pondered questions about what I wanted for this year, I felt like my theme for 2016 should be “Of Course!”  In other words, if I committed or declined decisions throughout the year, I felt like it needed to be rooted in an “of course” response.  When I did a little digging about this phrase, I learned that it was initially used to describe a natural course, like a river.

When a river follows its natural course, it moves freely the way it was designed to move.  When a river is rerouted or dammed, it takes a great deal of man-made effort to keep that artificial system in place.  When we put artificial actions in place, we essentially negate nature.  When we allow something to follow its natural design or intended path, it creates a future that is meant to be.  “OF COURSE!” 

My goal for 2016 has been to create a more natural environment for myself through the process of saying “Yes” or “No” with my best “of course” responses in mind.  For me, this has resulted in editing my life in a way that more accurately reflects the season that I am in and where I want to be headed.  It is difficult for me to turn things down, because I have a tendency to people-please.  However, I am gaining much needed transparency and authenticity by honoring my “of course!”  Your “of course” is going to look different than mine, but that is the beauty of nature…no two rivers were ever designed to look the same.  Now that we are well into 2016, I would encourage you to assess your journey and what will help you best steer the course you are on.

Changepoints:

Encourage yourself to find your “of course” by asking:

·        Do my days feel fulfilling based on what I think is meaningful or what I believe others wish me to do?

·        Do I find myself regretting the times I say “yes” because of a knee-jerk response to please others?

·        If someone could wave a magic-wand, what activities would I include or remove in my current life?

·        What thoughts or activities bring a smile to my face and bring my world energy?

·        Is there negative noise (people or activities) in my life that I need to pare back?

o   What obstacles are preventing you from honoring your inner voice?

o   What measures can you take to assess your level of authentic living?

Go pursue your OF COURSE!

outSIGHTin, LLC: Creating awareness as a changepoint for improved organizational results.