And Also...

My daughter is the most delightful spirit in my eyes.  She is a complicated soul who is creative, intelligent, random, driven, and protective.  She has high expectations of the world, and even higher of herself.  From school, to volleyball, to her friendships: she wants “big,” and she gives even “bigger.”  Although she is now a teenager, she has been this unique creature since her birth.  For instance, when she was just seven years old, she already demonstrated her own view on the world.  It was a painfully frigid day in Iowa, and people – me included – were complaining about the intense wind.  Many children would chime in with their grumbles about the weather, but this was her response, “I just think the wind wants to help the snow blow up in the air to catch the sun’s rays so it can sparkle.”  How’s that for perspective?!  A much healthier point of view at that.

Fast forward to today.  When my daughter gets amped about something she will start a story and then realize she has more to share.  This is when she says, “And also…”.  Except that the “And also…” is typically repeated a handful of times until the story reaches its crescendo.  I’ve learned that when she says, “And also…” there is lot more she is going to tell.  Recently, I made her toast with peanut butter and chocolate chips on it.  She thanked me for the gesture while simultaneously grabbing the chocolate chip container saying, “And also, this is how we do toppings around here.”  As you can imagine, a mountain of scrumptious chocolate now hid the peanut butter toast below.

She is my “And also…” child.  She adds and adds and adds.  What starts at one spot – whether it is a story she is telling or toast she is eating – ends somewhere far grander than its origination.  She sees the potential.  She wants you to experience the fullness of the story or the greatness of what goes on top.  To her, life is all about the possibility of seeing how many chocolate chips can be added.  Wouldn’t it be glorious if we all tried to add to whatever circumstances we are given?  Instead of seeing the winter day as a battle with the wind, seeing it instead as a gift of helping the snow to glitter?  Instead of seeing the meal we are eating as a routine breakfast, seeing it as the platform to add something fun?  If we so choose, life can be “And also…”

Changepoints:

Consider some of the routine parts of your life or areas that seem challenging:

·        How could you approach what seems on the surface as regular life or areas of struggle with an “And also…” mindset?

·        What facets of your life could you expand upon to see them with greater opportunities for potential?

·        Who are the “And also…” people in your world?  How can you integrate their influence into your attitude or perspective?  If your “And also…” relationships seem limited, how can you grow your exposure to positive individuals?

·        “And also…” people are those who strive for bigger and greater.  This means stretching, growing, and attempting more.  What does this look like for you?

o   In what areas could you expand or challenge yourself?

o   How can you encourage yourself to embrace a growth mindset?

When we allow the universe to become more expansive, the opportunities will be unending and will unfold before us. 

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