Looking Beyond the Face of Things: Making Sense of Difficult Times

A few weeks ago, I was one of about 200 people who went to hear spiritual teacher from India by the name of Amma. During the course of her discussion, she recited a parable which I will now share with you. Like any storyteller, I’ve added my own spin. But the essence of the story remains unchanged. I hope you find it useful as you look at the recent events that may be playing out in your world.

Once upon a time, a very virtuous and devout man got lost at sea. He landed on a deserted island. Looking at his predicament, he decided to focus his attention on two things – praying and building a shelter. He determined that although he had faith he would soon be rescued, he still needed to protect himself from the elements. With each piece of straw and leaf he placed on the hut he built, he gave thanks and prayed for rescue. As each day passed, his shelter became stronger, more solid and more intricate. Finally, after what seemed like an ete
ity, he said “I’m done.” The weather on that day was very much like it had been on any other day since his arrived on the island -- hot. The air was heavy with humidity and there was very little breeze. He decided to go to the lagoon to cool off. As he walked toward the water, his prayer for rescue played in his mind.

After spending some time swimming and lazing about in the water he finally felt refreshed. He decided to head back to his hut. As he got closer to where his shelter should have been he saw an empty space. He began looking more intently, slightly confused, and thinking that he might have been experiencing an optical illusion. Still, there was nothing left standing where his hut had been just a few hours before. In fact, all he saw were the burned ashes where once had stood his shelter. Shocked, angry and deeply disappointed by what seemed to have been such a callous and senseless act, he asked God why he had betrayed him. “What did I do to make you turn your back on me like this,” he said to the empty space around him? The castaway became so outraged that in that split second, he denounced his faith. Finally, from sheer weariness and fear, he fell into an exhausted sleep.

The following day, he was awakened by the whistle of a ship. In that moment, he realized that he would soon be rescued. When his rescuers finally reached him, he asked them “How did you find me?” They replied,” it was from the smoke signals you sent out.”

My reason for sharing this story with you was not to suggest that you start believing in miracles. Well, perhaps a little. More significantly, I am asking you to believe in a modern iteration of the miracle. A phenomenon where you put in the work and in the end you can trust that what you want will ultimately be yours if it is the best thing for you. Remember our castaway worked for days gathering the right bits of wood, leaves, and sticks to build his shelter. He piled them high through intricate weaves of intertwining patterns so that they would be strong. But it also took the heat of the sun shining high up in the sky, at the right angle, to burn with the right amount of intensity for the wood to become overheated and then to burn. It took a ship traveling at the right moment the hut caught fire to notice the smoke coming from a faraway place in order for the lone castaway to be rescued.

In essence, what I am asking you to do is to consciously commit to the work of creating the future you want. Once you’ve done that, I am asking you to trust, even in the absence of any sign to support that you are reaching your rightful destination, that you will be lead to where you need to be.

During these very difficult times, it is important to remember that things are not always what they seem. It should become part of your work to direct your energy toward outcomes that will motivate you toward a vision of the future you want versus focusing on the absence of prospects you may now be experiencing. The truth is that you cannot change the past. However, you can make choices in the present that will change your future and put it in a place that is more constructive and right for you. Over the past few months, Icatalyst has experienced a flood of inquiries from new clients who want to regain control of their life. By helping them to reconnect with their own inner resources we have been able to help them begin to create the future they want. Let us help you do the same thing, whether it’s for you, your company, your professional or civic association, we can develop a program specifically tailored to your needs.

Contact Icatalyst, LLC at info@i-catalyst.us or call 617-872-8511 to help you develop the skills you need to create outcomes that are motivating and empowering. You can also log on to our website at http://www.i-catalyst.us