Clear Perspective
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson went on a camping trip. After sharing a good meal and a bottle of Petrie wine, they retire to their tent for the night.
At about 3 AM, Holmes nudges Watson and asks, “Watson, look up into the sky and tell me what you see?”
Watson said, “I see millions of stars.”
Holmes asks, “And, what does that tell you?”
Watson replies, “Astronomically, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Theologically, it tells me that God is great and we are small and insignificant. Horologically, it tells me that it’s about 3 AM. Meteorologically, it tells me that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you, Holmes?”
Holmes retorts, “Someone stole our tent.”
Often, we over-complicate simple truths. Our perspective is skewed by the noise, busyness of our lives.
Daily, sometimes hourly, I find myself wrestling with direction for my life, business and family. My decision to start a new company feels very lonely at times.
The daily wrestling occurs at different times, knows no schedule. Anxiety can feel like a hangman’s noose, tied with devilish care by knurled fingers. The harder I struggle to loosen the knot, the tighter it becomes.
I know I am not alone with these struggles, my journey has led to many discussions with people from all levels of the socio-economic pyramid. The fight is not unique to class, just surprising to those that believe material possessions can solve all problems.
The struggle I refer to is challenging to articulate because it is internal, unseen and mostly, unnamed. An inner battle that we are created for more, a fight to break through unseen barriers that keep us from being our truest selves. Our working existence that the world uses to define can miss the mark. Most of us do not wish to reveal these feelings because we cannot clearly define or resolve them within ourselves.
I believe the fact is; We were created for more. We posess an inherent call to be part of something larger than ourselves and until we step up and out to fill this call, we will continue to experience a void that feels like an impassable expanse.
These feelings are a result of misperception, much like the different views of Holmes and Dr. Watson. There is great deal of information, knowledge to be absorbed on this journey and at times it can cause me to loose sight of my primary reason for starting this endeavor.
“No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” – John C. Maxwell
This truth presented by Dr. Maxwell is a game-changer. If we focus too much on the wrong things, we lose the importance of the main thing.
My JMT journey is in its infancy and I am struggling with many things as I know others are. I’m confident that this struggle is a necessary component of the building process and daily strive to maintain that perspective. In leading others to gain clarity in their lives, I have to use the tools available to receive clarity as well; daily meditation, participation in the JMT mentorship program and immersion in Dr. Maxwell’s teachings. I will remember to care first and the rest will fall into place.
About the Author
Gary Sirkel is a Featured Writer for the John Maxwell Team Blog.
He leads Metis Performance Solutions and is a member of The John Maxwell Team.
He is a leader of transformation, turning managers into leaders, groups into teams and individuals into influencers.
Contact Gary at: http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/garysirkel/