"You Don’t Have to be That Person Anymore."
You know that feeling when someone offers you a sentence that takes your breath away? I vividly recall the moment when my friend Ben called me a “social alchemist,” an expert mixologist of people. It stopped me cold in my tracks, offering me a whole new perspective on one of my unique gifts.
During a recent conversation with an MEA alum, Ron, as we sat amongst the rocks, tidepools, and waves just south of our Baja campus, he bestowed upon me the pearls of wisdom that form the title of today's post. While I’m not much of a complainer, I found myself musing on how often I get stuck in my own patterns, and fall back into familiar archetypes, like the hero who saves the day.
Ron reminded me that I have a choice in this matter. He said, “Between stimulus and response, there IS a space which allows for choice.” Ever since that profound realization, I’ve punctuated my actions with a pause, embracing the idea that I don’t have to be that person anymore if it’s no longer serving me (or others).
How might this simple yet powerful sentence - “You don’t have to be that person anymore” - serve you?
