My OperaThe Elevator
Thursday, January 12, 2012 5:54:12 AM
Every time we come and go from my parents 15th floor penthouse apartment in Montreal, the song I hear from my children goes like this “I get to push the button! Called it! Locked it! Threw away the key!”
For some strange reason, pushing the elevator button is a big honor and opportunity only reserved for those who are quick on the draw. It is a status matter and the beauty is the responsibility and the power over making the elevator move and getting it from one place to another. There’s power in pressing the button and kids strive to compete for that kind of power. It’s natural.
Surprisingly, the need for power seems to dissipate as we grow older. In fact, we seem to do everything to abdicate that power. I’m not talking about the power to press buttons (though we can throw that one in too - we avoid pressing buttons at all cost because we are very worried with having bacteria). I am talking about the power to step into our lives and ultimately take responsibility for our happiness. We come up with every reason under the sun why happiness is not possible.
“How can you expect me to become happy? The market is awful. The level of competition is intense. Being a parent is hard. Having older, aging parents is stressful. Budgets are limited. Marriage is hard work. My back hurts. I am obese. I have tons of laundry to do. I have no time. Life is actually a huge problem and I am tired.”
While all of this could be your reality, the truth is that this is the reality you have decided to pay attention to and what you focus on is what becomes your life, plain and simple. The fact is that happiness is a choice that comes from one basic decision: to hit the button on the value of your life as a main concern. To choose with unequivocal strength that you and your happiness are certainly more valuable than any other thing in the universe and be willing to say “Called it! Locked it! Threw away the key!”
Are you willing to press that button?
Kim Ades, MBA, President of Frame of Mind Coaching and JournalEngine™ Software, is one of North America’s foremost experts on performance through thought management. By using her unique process of coaching through journaling, she works with clients to unveil and switch their thought patterns to ignite significant change and life transformation. Evaluate the areas of your life where you’re ready to push the button at www.assessyourframeofmind.com.
For some strange reason, pushing the elevator button is a big honor and opportunity only reserved for those who are quick on the draw. It is a status matter and the beauty is the responsibility and the power over making the elevator move and getting it from one place to another. There’s power in pressing the button and kids strive to compete for that kind of power. It’s natural.
Surprisingly, the need for power seems to dissipate as we grow older. In fact, we seem to do everything to abdicate that power. I’m not talking about the power to press buttons (though we can throw that one in too - we avoid pressing buttons at all cost because we are very worried with having bacteria). I am talking about the power to step into our lives and ultimately take responsibility for our happiness. We come up with every reason under the sun why happiness is not possible.
“How can you expect me to become happy? The market is awful. The level of competition is intense. Being a parent is hard. Having older, aging parents is stressful. Budgets are limited. Marriage is hard work. My back hurts. I am obese. I have tons of laundry to do. I have no time. Life is actually a huge problem and I am tired.”
While all of this could be your reality, the truth is that this is the reality you have decided to pay attention to and what you focus on is what becomes your life, plain and simple. The fact is that happiness is a choice that comes from one basic decision: to hit the button on the value of your life as a main concern. To choose with unequivocal strength that you and your happiness are certainly more valuable than any other thing in the universe and be willing to say “Called it! Locked it! Threw away the key!”
Are you willing to press that button?
Kim Ades, MBA, President of Frame of Mind Coaching and JournalEngine™ Software, is one of North America’s foremost experts on performance through thought management. By using her unique process of coaching through journaling, she works with clients to unveil and switch their thought patterns to ignite significant change and life transformation. Evaluate the areas of your life where you’re ready to push the button at www.assessyourframeofmind.com.
