Optimist Primed
Barry Lewis Green
Educator, Speaker, Coach, Writer, Creator ... advancing Character Leadership and Education ... to move forward together, stronger ... engaging change.
Last week we explored Fearless Consultation. Before that, in diving into The Realm Between, we explored Chapters 17 through 19. This is all part of a continuation of Sharpen the Blades on The Realm Between. And, as I have noted many times before... "As part of this leg of my Sharpen the Blades blog series, I continue my reading of The Realm Between... and its application to life."
And, as I have said before. "The story is capturing me and I am finding direct relevance and resonance for my own life, in this realm."
I continue to invite you to join me on the journey. Catch up, read up... on the book and blogs, if you like. To join the Wattpad community costs nothing, and you gain access to the book, and many others. In order to join, go to their login... and set up a simple profile.
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Chapter 21: The Contingency
This is a Chapter that I am reading again. It is filled with a sense of Vigilance, forged from Courage, Initiative and Sacrifice.
It finishes with these words. And, I am now in suspense. And, I am perceiving what I consider to be the virtue that is Optimism. Do not confuse it with "positivity". Optimism does have a positive view, having faith in all circumstances. But to have faith in all circumstances implies that one can perceive all types of circumstances.
Optimism trusts in positive outcomes but one has to be able to perceive negative outcomes to be clear on what positive outcomes truly are. Optimism focuses on solutions over problems but one cannot affect solutions unless one sees and acknowledges problems. Optimism sees a brighter future but one cannot imagine brightness without knowing darkness. With Optimism, Hope is Strength and Endurance...
... but there is no need of any of these if we do not see and recognize pain. Hope, Strength, Endurance and Optimism are developed in the face of pain and challenge. They are grown and manifested when we rise. They are acquired when we have the power to dream. They are built on believing we can be more than we are.
This is the sense I get from this Chapter. As I read it, and again, I ask myself where in my life do I need such Optimism now. I just posted this on Facebook.
- 40 days... the basement. The FOXhole Gym. 20,000 steps every day. Every. Day. Walking and Dancing. Weights too. And Alter Bridge and Shinedown as my soundtracks. And some Salsa music lol. :) 40 days... to birthday and the best present I can give myself. Eating right, working out, rocking out. <3 If the band reunites this year, I will hit that stage in the best damn shape of my life. If the band does not, I will take on my life in that best damn shape. This song will be played and sung and walked and rocked out. Tomorrow comes.
This past year, I have worked on some 9 goals for my upcoming birthday; 7 having already been completed. Health and Mandarin have lagged.
No more.
With 2020, I have celebrated the 7, and rededicated to the 2, plus more... for this year.
That was the purpose of the vision wall designed for the year ahead. Indeed, it is where my R.A.D. focus is placed for 2020. It is where I am focusing my own personal sense of Nobility this year. It is where I am bringing my best motivation.
Why do I say this? Because, in reading Chapter 21, I have an even better sense of my own need for Vigilance... and the virtues of Courage, Initiative, Sacrifice, Hope, Strength, Endurance and Optimism. I need it and them most with my health. My health will be the grounding and founding of everything else I do, going forward. And I need these virtues (these strengths of character), now.
The focus must needs be (these 40 days) to galvanizing that fight.
All hands on deck, fierce and confident... and resolute.
All hands on deck, with Courage, Initiative, Sacrifice, Hope, Strength, Endurance and Optimism. That said, as always, I encourage you to read this book... and join me on the journey. Still and either way, I ask you:
- In what area of your life right now do you need such Vigilance born of Courage, Initiative, Sacrifice, Hope, Strength, Endurance and Optimism?
- How does Courage apply? What does it look like?
- What does Initiative look like?
- What do you need to practice Sacrifice around?
- How does Hope, Strength, and Endurance apply?
- How can and will you practice Optimism, primed?
Get clear on it. For me, it is the next 40 days, 20,000 steps a day, lifting, boxing, dancing, and rocking... eating healthy and preparing for my own battle cry. This is my own internal war, and I intend to win. We all have our Achilles Heel; our challenge. This is mine. My own Waterloo; not that one lol, this one. I will be that guy, carved out and ready, building my vision wall, but doing it as the strong and healthy Barry Unit. 40 days, to change a foundational piece of the narrative, and build for a truly new year.
How about you? Where do you truly need to be Optimist, primed?
Peace, passion and prosperity...
Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy with Epic Engage
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