From Resistance to Acceptance & Love: Gleaning Wisdom from Lil' Joy

Life presents us with moments that challenge our sense of normalcy. These transitions can occur in our personal lives or professional encounters and can be pretty intimidating. Our natural response may be to resist such changes. However, the story of "Lil Joy" takes us on a journey that explores why resistance, although natural, may not always benefit us.

One day, during our usual morning jog, we came across a tiny "Myna chick" who had fallen from its nest. Upon closer inspection, we noticed a couple of kittens nearby who seemed to be playing with the bird but were also eyeing it as their potential prey.

Without hesitation, my brother decided to intervene and rescue the chick. He picked it up gently and took it home, where we gave it some water and food. It was then that we named the chick "Joy."

Joy quickly became an integral part of our life. She was a joy to watch as she adapted to her new surroundings and grew stronger daily. We watched her learn to eat with her beak, jump, run, fly and explore her environment. Her resilience and determination were remarkable to witness.

Despite her difficult start, Joy persevered and thrived. She taught us valuable lessons about love, patience, compassion, agility, growth and the power of resilience. She will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Joy's journey began with evident signs of trauma and distrust. But as time passed, we witnessed something truly remarkable. She slowly transformed before our eyes. From adamantly refusing to eat to enjoying fruits and food from our hands, from fearing her bath to joyfully dancing under the water, from wanting to escape us to actively seeking our presence in every room, Joy's metamorphosis was truly inspiring and eye-opening.

From this heartening journey, I've distilled a few lessons:

1. Facing the Tidal Waves of Change: Life is full of surprises, some of which bring us unexpected happiness when dealt with acceptance and patience. However, sometimes we have no control over our circumstances and are forced to become better and more evolved versions of ourselvtimes. We may feel overwhelmed and resistant to those around us during such complex times. Our hearts may be filled with distrust, making us behave in ways that are not true to our character.

Nevertheless, as Joy so vividly showcased, navigating these moments with endurance, tenacity, and an eagerness to learn from daily encounters with an open spirit can pave the way for significant transformation, enriched relationships, and unexpected moments of bliss.

Have You Ever Experienced this in your work life?

Have you ever experienced a sudden and significant change in your company's strategy or within your team? Perhaps you were asked to switch roles, or move to a different business account, your favourite manager left, or the company culture transformed due to external factors. How do you typically respond to such situations? Do you tend to have positive thoughts, or do you feel anxious and fearful? How do you handle life changes like these and how adaptable are you to such situations?

Joy helped me learn the lesson of acknowledging your feelings as they are and then slowly accepting the changes bit by bit each day. Instead of pushing back, a more receptive stance can spawn innovative solutions or unexpected professional growth.

1. The Symbiosis of Trust: Trust isn't a one-way street; it requires mutual understanding and patience. Joy's evolution from a skeptical fledgling to a trusting companion underscores this. By discerning our genuine care and intentions, she let her guard down and reciprocated with pure affection.

Have you ever been in a situation where it was challenging to earn someone's trust? What came your way? How would you rate yourself on patience and acceptance in such situations?

1. The Silent Eloquence of Empathy: While Joy lacked the faculty of human speech, she communicated through her chirping (with modulations in her voice) and countless non-verbal cues. Over time, I understood her anger when she was forced cleaned, her excitement when she would see all of us together in a room ready to play with her, her hunger when her energies duped and she needed some fuel and much more. Human emotions, multifaceted as they are, don't always find articulation in words. We too, communicate through our gestures and expressions and maybe that's the most authentic communication that we ever do. Truly understanding another’s perspective necessitates looking beyond spoken words, a lesson in empathy and patience.

In a board meeting, have you ever noticed how people's body language can convey more than their actual words? It's essential to pay attention to these non-verbal cues to get a better understanding of what's really going on.

In official settings, it's important to remember to have patience, especially with our colleagues. Consider the quiet ones who may have innovative ideas or unspoken concerns to share during meetings. Our tendency to resist the unfamiliar or uncomfortable may cause us to miss out on valuable contributions. They might have some unspoken concerns or innovative ideas waiting to be discovered if we can be more patient and understanding towards them.

1. Another wave of change, the lesson of detachment and true love: As we look upon our lil Joy, our hearts fill with deep admiration and affection. Her beauty and grace are truly inspiring, and we can't help but feel a sense of longing to keep her close. However, we understand that setting her free is our best decision for her well-being. It's a gentle reminder that sometimes, the most compassionate thing we can do is to release what we cherish, giving it the chance to flourish and thrive. This moment reminds us that we all have the potential to soar, just like our magnificent Joy.

Have you ever become attached to a role, organization, person or project that it was difficult to let go?

I feel extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to have such a soulful experience. It was an honor to be chosen by Joy to serve her for a while. The time spent with her was valuable and fulfilling. I will always cherish the memories of the moments shared with her.

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