October 31, 2007

Change the World: Decide

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 5:35 am

The Universe Will Not Be Thwarted

Change the World!

Once upon a time, I had the coolest job in the world. I worked with the most incredible people. They were smart and their hearts were in it. No one was looking for the negative. We were building a special little company. The little company was soaring. It’s customers were smiling. Then the owners decided to sell it.

The new owners were playing Monopoly. Our little company was one more property on a board game. The new owners couldn’t see what made the little special. They made decisions that hurt the little company. They starved the goose and the golden eggs stopped.

When I realized that the little company would never be again, I recognized the feeling. I told a friend, “I don’t a new puppy. I want the puppy that died.”

He said, “Mourn if you like, but not forever. I’ve been to the mountain, and I know this: The universe will not be thwarted. Commit to a new path and it will take you where you want to be. ”

Well, that poor universe, for the longest time, it didn’t get any help from me. I went off in some direction, but my heart wasn’t fully with me. think I was still wishing for that poor long-gone situation.

But my friend’s sentence never left me. “The universe will not be thwarted.”

Himalayan explorer W.H. Murray said the same thing.

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.

I decided to change the world. I quit hedging my bets to protect myself.

Things happened that same week — happy accidents and offers. The universe opened a road to my dream.

They’re still happening.

Living in the past is not the way to a future.

Commitment is.

We can change the world — just like that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

______________
If you’re ready to change the world, send me your thoughts in a guest post. Feel free to take the gorgeous Change the World image up there that Sandy designed back to your blog. Or help yourself to this one.

Change the World!.

Email me about what you’re doing or what we might do. Let’s change the world one bit at a time together. Together it can’t take forever.


Filed under Motivation/Inspiration, Successful Blog |



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12 Comments to “Change the World: Decide”

  1. October 31st, 2007 at 6:03 am
    Naomi Dunford said

    Hi Liz,

    This was a really, really great piece. We’ve all had these experiences - something was good and now it’s not good anymore and we’re scrambling to keep it the same. I’d venture to say a lot of relationships work that way.

    I think you can’t be happy when you’re still keeping your options open. I think there’s the element of commitment you spoke of, and also the element of accepting risk and fear. I could go on and on all day, but you said it best when you referred to hedging your bets.

    Hedging your bets will never make you happy.

    Thanks for a great post, Liz.

  2. October 31st, 2007 at 8:49 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Naomi!
    Thanks for this comment. I’m smiling to think where your commitment took you and where mine is taking me. :)

    Too many fishing poles in the water only keeps us running up and down the river bank unable to do anything but check on the fishing poles. Too many options really makes a decision less possible.

    Any decision gives us direction and those of us on the web know that we can always change once we get going . . . adaptation is what living and learning is about. :)

  3. October 31st, 2007 at 9:22 am
    Maura said

    Wonderful post Liz. Thanks for providing fuel for deep thinking this morning.

    I too worked for a great little company, the culture was one I never encountered in the workplace before…warm and friendly, and the owners encouraged everyone to have a say in how things were done.

    Sadly, the company was sold due to personal reasons and I watched the original foundation crumble away as big business ideas were implemented.

    I felt a sense of loss and longed for the way things used to be. I moved on and as you mentioned, the Universe opened new roads for me to travel down…and it’s been good.

    I feel we live in the past because much of our lives are imprinted there, but opportunity will gladly pass by if we don’t remain open to the future.

  4. October 31st, 2007 at 9:33 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Maura!
    Today I know what was also “too small” about me and about that little company. Now I look at what is a challenge equal to who I am today . . . I’d never be here, if I hadn’t left there. Here is a wonderful place to be. :)

  5. October 31st, 2007 at 9:49 am
    Joanna Young said

    Hello Liz

    Thanks for this gift.

    “The universe will not be thwarted”

    Sends shivers up and down my spine.

    Joanna

  6. October 31st, 2007 at 9:53 am
    Aruni said

    Thanks Liz. This is so relevant as I look at the many things on my plate and I hold back thinking “how can I do this all and do it well.” The holding back sometimes prevents me from really diving in.

    One thing I have to keep reminding myself is that making a commitment doesn’t mean I can’t change my mind when new information and/or new circumstances arise.

  7. October 31st, 2007 at 10:21 am
    Mother Earth said

    I adore the word thwarted - puts so much into perspective doesn’t it??

    sometimes liz I feel like your speaking to me…yes you live in my computer, but seriously, there is a beautiful parallel going on

    aruni - thank you for the question - how can i do this all and do it well - I didn’t have the language for what I am experiencing

    have a bootastic ( spooky word for fantastic ) halloween!!

    Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
    http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com

  8. October 31st, 2007 at 10:24 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Joanna!
    Isn’t it a wonderful sentence? It’s totally unforgettable. :)

  9. October 31st, 2007 at 10:25 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Aruni!
    That’s it exactly. A commitment now doesn’t mean that we can’t change our minds when we have more information. But to be fully present with intention — that’s living. :)

  10. October 31st, 2007 at 10:27 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Karen!
    Yes, in with both feet or sitting on the fence . . .

    I choose both feet. Yep. No question. :)

  11. October 31st, 2007 at 5:44 pm
    Vernon Lun said

    Aah, that is profound.

    Two paths that diverge doesn’t necessarily mean that either one is wrong just that the compasses that drives our hearts have different destinies.

    It is nevertheless hard to let go of something that you have a part in creating. Perhaps that is why it is so easy to forgive our children.

  12. November 4th, 2007 at 9:50 am
    Sunday Stroll said

    [...] Liz moves my brain, touches my heart, and speaks to the universe. [...]

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