The Gift of Perspective (The Friday Ficks S4 E12)
“I have an immediate need.”
Immediate. Defined as “occurring, acting, or accomplished without loss or interval of time.”
In other words, synonymous with instantaneous, swift, rapid or prompt.
An immediate need. This Facebook post sounds pretty urgent, right?
Nope. The person was looking for someone who could strip wallpaper off a walI.
Really? Who knew there could ever be a code red for wallpaper removal?
About to deliver a baby. Urgent.
Escaping a burning building. Urgent.
Stripping wallpaper. NOT urgent.
The Facebooker seemed to lack perspective, for which self-awareness is a foundational element.
I had a “perspective moment” when I headed south for a week, changing planes in Atlanta. The pilot flagged a tire issue at the departure city, leading to a six-hour flight delay.
I knew with absolute certainty that I would miss my connection, and also that my checked bag would be swallowed by the same black hole where socks go to disappear once placed in the dryer.
In lieu of gnashing teeth, I dipped into my perspective reservoir and asked myself if I had an "immediate need" to get on those flights, faulty tire be damned.
And in that pause, perspective ruled the day.
Flight delays, a missed connection and a lost bag? Faux immediate needs, and grossly overrated.
I'm grateful for the gift of perspective.
Own the day. Own the weekend.
Carl
#perspective #selfawareness #emotionalintelligence #eq
Richard Stevens Meredith Bell JoAnna Brandi Walt Hampton, J.D.