Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.
― F. Scott Fitzgerald
It was a week of early appointments and travel.
Sunday we drove to Oklahoma City for our grandchildren’s Christmas Program and to celebrate Levi’s sixth birthday.
Tuesday I caught an early flight to Denver in route to Montana to work on-site with one of my clients. What a privilege; the response and progress is significant. Wednesday was a 6:30 a.m. breakfast with Doug. Incredibly rewarding; I love it.
Back home, in time for a Thursday breakfast to wrap up Brent’s 1on1 Executive Coaching engagement and celebrate his growth.
What’s one more breakfast appointment? It’s Friday, why not?
Not until Saturday morning, was I able to “create space” for reflection. Not only do I desire it, I require it if I’m to operate at my highest potential.
Do you have room?
When there is no room, we miss something in the Story – an opportunity.
This idea of “no room” reminds me of the Christmas Story.
The Bible records a time, around 6 – 4 BC, when Caesar Augustus ordered a census. That meant everyone was required to return to their hometown and register. If you were in the hospitality sector, it was good for business, right?
A man named Joseph made the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, his ancestral hometown. Accompanied by Mary – Joseph’s very pregnant fiancée – the time came for her to have her baby. One small problem, they did not have a reservation and there were no rooms.
Can you imagine?
Upon hearing their plight, the owner of the inn was innovative; he created space – offering them the stable.
That’s the story.
What’s the cost when we have no room?
Have you noticed, or is just me? Are life’s demands more demanding? Is there less room, maybe even “no room” for what matters most?
This Christmas weekend, I do not expect a young couple to show up at our house looking for a place to have a baby. However, our house will be filled with people.
People.
Yes, the business of life is people.
In fact, if you know me, you know I believe the business of business is people.
People and the Story
As people, our stories merge. The Story is written at work, in our communities, homes and families; sometimes amazingly beautiful, sometimes extremely difficult.
What does it cost when we have no room? When there is a shortage of space for listening to the Story, for connecting with the people?
The short answer: opportunity.
Opportunity as a chance to make a difference or seize the moment; to encourage another human being, to express appreciation, to cultivate a spirit of gratitude, to apologize, to forgive, to love and be loved, to enjoy a fresh start; to “see the people”?
Can you remember the disappointment you felt when you realized you missed opportunity? That’s the cost of “no room” in our lives for reflection, contemplation, meditation, listening to the Story.
If there is “no room” when will you reflect on how you want to show up differently in your relationships…when will you consider what success really is…when will you examine your values and the role they are playing in how you live, or not?
The owner of Bethlehem Inn could have missed a historic opportunity because he had “no room”; but he didn’t. While it was not a master suite, it was good enough. Mary delivered a son and they named him Jesus.
Life is filled with opportunity.
How well are you creating space for reflection on your Story, your influence, your purpose and contribution?
Yes, life is filled with opportunities; do you have room?
The ability to function at our highest level requires we create space so we can see the people…and that includes seeing ourselves.
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