We're always on a journey

Many of us teach other people how to achieve happier life, how to get rid of bad habits or be a better leader. We tell them what we have learned ourselves. Consultants and coaches have many good and interesting ways to achieve these goals. Coach or not - we’re all often eager to tell others our insights of good and meaningful life. 

But there’s often one matter that only the best ones have grasped: We’re always on a journey.

Very easily you fall into the trap of believing that you have realized so much more than others and got the big picture. From this fake feeling of “enlightenment” you teach others, meet others - and judge others.

I visited yesterday in Helsinki a wonderful event called Work Goes Happy. It has a great goal of making working life more human and fun. There were many coaches and consultants presenting their work and a large area for exhibitors.

Once again great thoughts, methods and tools for helping people and organizations to feel better and perform better. But in several occassions I felt uncomfortable as I talked with exhibitors. They told of their approaches in such an tone and words as they had found THE TRUTH. 

I fully understand the need to sell their expertise and concepts but in some cases there was something more. The false feeling of superiority.

Just think of yourself throughout your life. When you were 18 you thought that you knew so much, when you were 30 you admired yourself how much experience you already had. Some of us can go much further in looking back in their lives and still share the same experience. When you’re 40, 50, 60 70… Always knowing and understanding more than before. Based on your life experience, books you’ve read or people you’ve talked to.

Being wise is great. But being wise is dangerous if you don’t realize how relative your wisdom is. You will always learn more and transform as a person. And so will others, too. Of course there are people who are not interested in self-improvement. They e.g. concentrate on making money, increasing their wealth, having fun or just think they were born to be perfect. It’s easy to judge them. But are you sure you see them as they really are? 

You don’t have to be a narcistist to loose the track of own incompleteness and others’ “perfection”. It’s only human. 

I don’t deny that you might have mastered something in your life and have something to teach to other people. That’s great! And you are for sure a different person than you were 10 or 20 years ago - and in many cases wiser too. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking you are at he end of your journey. 

There’s much more to come for sure. Unfortunately also all dark cormers of your mind are not necessarily cleaned yet. Or you will perceive some completely new thoughts of life. There will always be surprises and lessons if only you’re open to them. Within yourself, within others!

We’re always on a journey. What a beautiful thought. Gives excitement and surprises to every day to come.

Have a wonderful weekend!