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We humans, generally, tend to not be very good at predicting our future state.
How we feel right now, in this very moment, we tend to default into believing is how we’ll feel in perpetuity.
It takes awareness to remember the impermanence of our emotions.
I found myself on a beautiful walk recently. It had all the September cliches:
a bright sun with a slight coolness in the air
the smell of leaves becoming crisp
a clear blue sky
all the ingredients of a perfect day.
I wanted the weather to last forever.
I wanted to cling to it and make it stay even though everything in nature was reminding me of its commitment to change.
This perfect fall day will pass.
And what I’m left with then is the chance to be present to its glory today.
Present to the sun on my skin.
Present the luxury of moving my body without sweating or shivering.
Present to green and rust and golden colors.
Often what I observe in myself and in those I work with is the unconscious belief in permanence.
Many of you led your communities through the fear that arose these past weeks regarding threats to your schools.
Fear. Such a potent emotion.
It can have us feeling like we will be stuck forever either frozen or over functioning or in an endless loop of trying to manage the crisis.
But it won’t last.
It will, actually, pass.
Just like these leaves will fall from the tree.
And then something different will be present with us.
When we as leaders are most stuck or disillusioned, what can help us shift is simply bringing to mind the impermanence of the moment.
The cliche, “This too will pass.” . . . Because it will.
It’s one of those rare promises I can make.
Once we wake up to the temporary nature of our experience, then we can bring more agency and power to who and how we want to be in this given moment.
That’s what the most inspiring leaders I know do.
“I’m scared but I won't be scared forever.”
“What supports me and how do I want to show up in this moment where fear is present?”
When we connect with the impermanence of a moment, we reconnect with possibility.
The possibility to feel better.
The possibility to try again.
The possibility of a better day.
The possibility of growth and expansion.
The possibility of serving in more generative ways.
What a gift these changing leaves give us.
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