I guess the recent spate of flooding here in the west has left me very reflective. In the 1960’s, I was a mere child when Diego Martin experienced floods comparable with those of last weekend … my memory could therefore be distorted. I remember the water in the streets of Chuma Monka, people in the streets in boats, but my visual does not include water in our home, since we were in fact spared by the height of our home above ground level and if there was water in the home of our neighbours, I believe that at that age I must have been spared the trauma of viewing it.
Coming back to last week, I returned to Chuma Monka, the day after the rainfall. Waters had subsided and what remained was to the uninitiated layers of chocolate icing carefully pasted throughout the streets, in the yards, inside homes, in fact in every possible nook, crevice and cranny. My shock at the trauma to which friends and former neighbours had been exposed, was quickly overcome by their ready acknowledgement of the joy of the present moment. As they welcomed me into their homes, they shared with me the outpouring of love and support that they had received from strangers and friends alike and the recognition that they had indeed been spared a worse plight.
For some reason this experience has caused me to reflect on moments in my life when I personally made my greatest growth spurts. What has surfaced, is that my greatest growth has occurred when I was (i) Fully Present (ii) Willing to take Risks and (iii) Fearless.
I recalled instances in my professional career when I was challenged by the likes of Dr. Anthony Sabga, Richard Jackman and Craig Reynald to undertake projects that I had not realised that I had the ability to complete successfully and celebrating the victories. I recalled my decision to return to self employment after eight years with a successful organisation. I recalled in my personal life, taking a solo journey from pregnancy to child birth and reaping its rewards; spontaneously travelling from Port of Spain to Asheville with the sole purpose of finding much needed clarity and the joy of finding it. I recall Sr Ruth Montrichard, as nuns do, issuing the edict for me to start a group that engaged in weekly contemplative practice – six years later, the local community continues on its growth part.
I wonder – what is the growth piece that may be taking place in others who have been directly and indirectly impacted by the recent floods? Take a Time Out and see what emerges for you. Time Out …. the intentional cessation of an incomplete act.
Judy Joseph Mc Sween is the Business Intuitive/CEO of Meredith Mc Sween International – using Untapped Knowledge to facilitate internal transformation in individuals, teams and organisations. Contact Judy for information on her “Time Out 24 hour Personal Rejuvenators” and “Time Out Corporate Interventions” Email judy@meredithmcsween.com or call 684 9827
are you ready for a time out? 