Funny how there are a few C words out there.  Each one of them has the potential to  illicit a physical draw back.  But the one that impacts us as business owners- as well as in life- is Commitment.

I was having a conversation about being committed to an idea and was asked if I was committed or attached to it.  Attached being defined as when the result or answer is not what we want then there is an upset or frustration.  It typically ends up making one of, or all of, the parties feel like crap.  If you were committed, then when you didn't get the desired answer or result, you would simply look for another way- no upset, no tantrums.

Ok- so far I'm right there- completely following it.  Then there it was...WE are the ones who get to say what we are committed to.  And if we say that we are committed to something being realized, then when we don't immediately get what we want what there is to do is remind ourselves that it is a commitment- always needing to be created in language/conversations and backed up by actions.


So what is it that gets us so damn worked up about that C word anyhow?  Well, if we are actually committed to something, we are only because we say that we are.  We are responsible then for it.  It sort of takes our reason to complain to anyone who will listen away.  It also means that if we share with folks about that which we are committed to, then we are expected to be in action around that.  Hrrmmm...now responsible is in the mix.

Check it out...

My business is committed to having a thriving local community.  First thing to get is that I am the one that identified what my business is committed to.  In other words, I say what is important to me.  Second, I don't get to throw a tantrum or be upset when things aren't coming up roses.  That is counter productive- wastes time and makes people look at you funny.  Trust me on this one.  Just take a breathe- and look around for another approach.  And third, I get to be in action in anything that supports a thriving business community!

When you are present that you really are committed to something- and not using it as a strategy, you also tend to get stopped less.  Stopped less=more results, faster.  And that whole responsible part- sure you are then cause when there are failures but you are the cause for then things are really rockin' too!

What are you committed to?

I have learned that part of belonging to a thriving community is ensuring that folks are self-expressed: fully.  That is when we really get to shine and show just what we are made of- we get to make the world a better place.  I have also learned that sometimes in order for that to happen it means that they have to leave a particular geographical location in order to do just that.  And there we are left- with a hole in our heart.  There is a missing.

But what if that missing is really a clearing for something else?  Yanno- that one door closes another one opens, blah, blah, blah?  But instead, what if that door never actually closes?

Ok, getting into the details and less about the concepts... my family has been blessed with a woman in our son's life for the past year or so that, I swear, IS magic.  She sees the beauty in all things and ensured that the children continued to see it around them.  She did not get caught up in Life "lifeing" at her and allow it to stop her from living on her terms.  There could not have been a better being in our son's life than her.  Recently I heard someone refer to her as Mary Poppins in the flesh and by George, they were spot on!  As Mr. Banks says, "It's that woman, Mary Poppins. From the moment she stepped into this house, things began to happen to me!".

Our Mary Poppins left for The Big Apple today and she will be greatly missed by not only our family but more than a dozen families that she contributed to.  I have been more teary eyed over her leaving than I truly expected.  I mean, I have had plenty of partings- why is this one so different?  I blamed it on it being the first major parting for our son- but really, he didn't seem to mind.  It was just what was so to him.  Then I thought that it was because I was considering the impact on the many children that she has had.  But that wasn't it either.  I was saddened, no grieving, for the loss of pure magic on a near daily in my life.  I was having to let go of someone that I connected with- you know those people that you would trust your soul with when you first meet them, yeah- she was one of those!  I didn't want to let go.  So I am choosing not to- it is all choice after all.

Now I don't mean getting all creepy and stalker like!  What I mean is that, in this case, I don't have to let her 'go'.  If I enlarge my perspective of my community then she never left it- she just changed positions within in it.  And if I choose to see the 'missing' as a space for another person to come into, then I enlarge my community again.  And what if your desire for Magic in your world becomes so deep that it is you that takes the helm?  Can you imagine?

Our Mary Poppins is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory and is going on to New York to take her place on stage.  She will be living her life fully self-expressed in areas that are truly important to her- enriching everyone that comes in contact with, taking New York by storm.  By her act of courage in striking it out her own, not only is my life is more enriched but the children have a role model in their lives of someone daring to dream and to take action to fulfill on those dreams as well.

If you have someone in your life that brings you something special and enriches you in some way, I invite you to acknowledge them and let them know.  And should someone thank you, don't brush off- be responsible for the magic that you bring to our world!  It is all a part of creating our thriving community.

I love my family
I love my town
I love our world
and I love you!
(yes, you)

PS- I am using this as practice, or example, for when our older children choose to leave. Hopefully this post will serve as a reminder  ;-)