An Ode to What Matters
How many of us feel so lost amongst the ten thousand things, and then exhaust ourselves tackling them with just our two hands?
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I’ve been mulling over this beautiful quote. How many of us feel so lost amongst the ten thousand things, and then exhaust ourselves tackling them with just our two hands? Our busy schedules and many meetings, our hectic lives, our multiple priorities and demands. As we live and lead in this way, we inevitably add to the ten thousand things on other peoples’ plates. And so multiplying the busy-ness, while reducing the chance of making an impact or finding the deep meaning in what we do.
How is it then possible to join our ten thousand hands together to address the things that really matter? Is that not what life and leadership should really be about?
What if instead of adding to the ten thousand things, we gather the ten thousand hands to tackle the real priorities we face together?
To create worthwhile lives, by fostering kindness and connection, saving the planet, creating cultures of care and belonging and meaning?
By protecting our well-being and peace of mind, as well as our physical health and energy?
Life goes on, so we must do what needs to be done. But at any time, we can also pause to reflect – are we are spending time on what matters? What if we move beyond the paradigm that doing more and faster is the better way? Let’s see what’s possible when we gather with others around the very very few things that actually matter at the end of the day. I look forward to discovering how, when we put our hearts and hands together, “we are stronger than we are and more loving than we can imagine”.
