(Principles are basic truths that, when applied, cause success to come to you easier and quicker.)
Recently re-reading the entire collection of Calvin and Hobbes cartoons, written and drawn by Bill Watterson, I was struck by a recurring theme of Calvin’s and how it shows up in adults, too.
Calvin, a six-year-old kid, and Hobbes, his stuffed tiger/ best friend/confidant/co-conspirator, experience life through their limited lens since not much wisdom can be gathered in six years. As a result he/they are continually bumping into obstacles to having what they want and are, each time, amazed at their outcome.
The behavior they repeat is excessive self-referencing. Now, as a reader of these S3MC’s, you know I’m a fan of self-awareness, of knowing who you are and what your life is about, and then expressing it fully. Therein lies contentment, joy, contribution, and growth.
But Calvin — and we — can fail to see what is really so. He chooses to ignore physical laws (i.e. gravity), the appropriateness of parental responsibilities (such as mentoring), the two-way nature of healthy relationships (poor Susie), and the big one, his belief that he already knows everything and whatever shows up to the contrary is wrong!
We laugh at Calvin’s exploits. And ignore it when we behave similarly. Are the obstacles really outside us and we’re merely at their effect? Or is our lack of awareness the real obstacle?
Coaching Point: If you are repeatedly not getting what you want, what are you not seeing?
Copyright 2013 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.