I was blown away last night when I heard a news report that Barak Obama had announced that he would cut the US deficit in half over the next four years. In this economy? With all the other problems to be solved? What is he thinking? Then I knew. He was thinking, "People need hope. We need to feel like we are in it together and we can get it done. And if we think that, we are more likely to do it."
Several years ago, I heard the director of one of the largest nonprofits in the nation speak to a conference of youth in the foster care system. He described a leadership meeting where everyone was in chaos about how to solve a major dilemma. He simply sat back and said, with complete confidence, "I've got this. I'll take care of it." - then went on with the other business of the meeting. The audience cracked up when he revealed that he went back to the solitude of his office and thought, "I have no clue what to do!" But he was the leader and he knew 1) that he could figure it out with the help of others, and 2) that if the people sitting in that meeting felt like someone knew what to do, they were much more likely to stay focused and productive in their work and proceed as if.
This is a bit like what happens when we say to someone, "I know you can do this" or "I absolutely believe in you." We don't know for sure. But we instill that confidence. This is also what happens when we do this for ourselves - through affirmations, daily habits and support systems that tell us we can. Something inside begins to organize itself around aligning reality with these statements of "knowing." and people start lining up to help.
Powerful stuff, hope.
A wonderfully wise 80-year-old colleague of mine sent this in response to my New Year's reflection.
It's not a particularly new concept - this idea of starting with the end in mind - but somehow this twist on it really captured my imagination. Will you try it with me?
Imagine yourself a year from now, writing about what amazed you, what brought you joy, what delighted you and energized you. Write it down. Now, let that image - of a year unfolding in this perfect way - take roots in your imagination, that your subconscious might begin to organize itself around the living of that year. Memorize the feeling of amazement, joy, delight and awe. Store that emotional memory in a place where you can retrieve it. Then do so - every day.
Are you already filled with more energy and hope? Is your mind already focused on the possible instead of the barriers to the possible? Do you already feel a deep drive to live this year? This life? Me too. So it must not be the "hard work" that makes it so (though you may work hard). It must not be "good luck" (though it may feel like you've been blessed). It must not be determination (though these clear images may gently drive you more powerfully than ever before). It is the clarity and power of imagination, with its home far beneath our conscious work ethic, good fortune and determination, that makes all the difference.
So, see it now. Finished. Then bring your attention back to the present moment and live each day as if you knew it would unfold perfectly.
This is your life.
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