How To Use Pain And Disruption (Maybe?)

“I have refused to live

locked in the orderly house of

reasons and proofs.

The world I live in and believe in

is wider than that. And anyway,

what’s wrong with Maybe?

You wouldn’t believe what once or

twice I have seen. I’ll just

tell you this:

only if there are angels in your head will

you ever, possibly, see one.”

– The World I Live In by Mary Oliver

I’m a big fan of the poet Mary Oliver but I only came across this poem last week for the first time. And something about it spoke to me related to this time we find ourselves in.

The very first ‘Inspire Me’ weekly email was in October 2008 – when the financial world had collapsed.

During that time, and over the following years I worked with many leaders as they navigated through turbulent waters – and we learned many things together.

But one of the most important take-aways from that time is the value of pain and disruption. There is always something to be gained in such a time, because when we are disrupted, the edge of possibilities available to us opens up.

And that is what this poem says to me.

Without realising it, we can be stuck in old patterns and habits.

And there’s great power in that question, Maybe?

• Maybe I can use this time to get +10% better, weekly?
• Maybe we can try something new and different?
• Maybe I can use this time to really show up and step outside fear?
• Maybe we can take the pain and disruption to allow something new in?

As the poet hints at, only if you are open to the possibilities will you have a chance of it showing up. Many though, will be locked in fear and closed off to something new.

It’s a choice we all have right now – look to the possibilities or stay stuck in the familiar.

Which direction are you looking in for the week ahead?

What is your Maybe?

Best,

Shane

Useful Stuff For This Time:

Free Access To 90 Minute Talk On State Of Mind

Free Webinar Recording: Leading Through Uncertainty