Greatness Can Be Defined in Many Ways: First It Is a Glimmer

Summary: We are all creators of our own stories. Here is one that shows the power of reacting to a small glimmer. That glimmer can go unnoticed. However, it can also lead you to a more robust and amazing path.

Dear All,

Today is story day.

This one is personal.

Firstly, here is my story of deciding to take, as Scott Peck would say, the road less traveled.

I was a new associate professor in Family Therapy in Philadelphia at Hahnemann Medical School.

At least, that was where I thought my career was going.

Pay attention to what the path shows, not just what you think you want.

Yet, the forces of nature had other ideas for me.

The summer break was over and I was ready for my challenge to teach family systems to graduate students.

However, something felt off. I could feel it in my gut. The date for the first seminar I was to teach did not show up on my calendar.

Huh? What?

I kept calling my supervisor and not getting a return call.

Until, that fateful day. He called, his voice was so quiet I could not really hear him.

I strained to listen, knowing it was bad news.

Bad news can lead to wonder if you pay attention.

“There was a change. The money had been reallocated. I no longer had a job.”

Damn!

Married, with two small daughters I needed the income.

That night I drove to meet my husband for dinner.

After sharing the bad news he looked at me and said with fierce determination, “Well guess you better start looking for another job. We need the money.”

The pleaser pattern transforms to the truth teller.

The pleaser in me agreed. However, the truth teller hiding under the pleaser would not be ignored.

“I decided to start my own therapy practice. I can use the small room where the kids toys are and see people there.”

True to form, he said, “You’ll never make enough money. Just get a job, any job.”

After awful soggy pizza and iced tea I sat in my car to drive home feeling deflated and yes, depressed.

All things considered, here is where the glimmer showed up.

Glimmers are all around, you just gotta pay attention.

In short, I turned on the classical music station to divert my sadness.

I was stopped at a red light that seemed to say “Stop, you need to get a job and not pretend you can start your own business.”

Then, I said out loud to the world, “Screw it! I am good at what I do. I will take the chance and be successful.”

In short, as those words fell out of my mouth the light turned green.

Claiming your perspective takes the courage to listen to yourself.

Better yet, the end of Beethoven’s nineth symphony, The Ode to Joy, burst forth on the radio.

I felt various emotions, delight, fear, and yes, joy.

Ultimately, I felt fireworks in my gut and a vast sense of “YES” in my heart.

At that moment my decision was made. I would leap to the new and release doubt and uncertainty.

Ultimately, even today, when doubt hits the hot button, I think about Beethoven who, at age 40 was deaf when he wrote his most famous symphony. If he could do something so amazing, so can you.

Here is an example of Beethoven’s willingness to go beyond what is expected.

He learned to hear with his body.

He would hold a pencil in his mouth and rest it against the piano so he could feel the vibrations of the notes against his lips.

Most importantly, take some time and listen to Ode to Joy and see what magic happens in your life.

To your success,

Sylvia Lafair

PS. Dare to dream and go beyond the obvious. And, if you want a preview copy of the first chapter of my new book GLIMMERS to GREATNESS” please contact me.