
Growing up in Bad Axe, family holidays and birthdays usually included a rousing game of Rook. I remember the card tables and folding chairs being brought out for hours of family fun; sometimes there were 3 or 4 games going at once. At least that’s how I remember it.
While I haven’t played in years, I remember the trump card well. It was the coveted bird that beat out all other cards, no matter what. I remember hoping and praying for that card with each hand, because the possessor of the bird would almost always win the game. Oh the power!
There is actually a trump card in life. And it is located in a very specific domain. Accessing this domain connects us to our source of power to effectively function in all other domains. But problems arise when we get our domains confused, and we’re left trying to access power within domains where power just doesn’t exist. However, getting back to our trump card is actually simple when we know where it’s located. In a way, it’s like stacking the deck.
We don’t live as though we have a story, we live as though we are our story.
- I am a lawyer vs. I have a law career
- I am unemployed vs. I don’t have a job
- I am a wife and mom vs I have a spouse and children
- I am sick vs. I have an illness
- I am afraid vs. I have fear
- I am financially wealthy vs. I have money
- I am healthy vs. I have a healthy body
- I am insecure vs. I have insecure thoughts
- I am a homeowner vs. I have a home
- I am a businessman/woman vs. I have a business
Power is available in who we are and not available in what we have.
Becky
Guess what… In retirement years (semi-retired for me; I sub in our local public school system 3 days a week) I still struggle with “having” or “not having,” So, I do a lot of self-talk about who I “am.” Looking forward to part two; even as I looked forward to the trump card in many, many family card games…
That’s exactly it…defining who I am by what I have or don’t have, and not knowing that I’m doing it, creates real struggle. You’re gonna love part 2, Steve! Thanks for commenting. I’m jealous of your students…none of my sub teachers had nearly as many cool stories as you do 🙂
This thought is so important to me: “What happened happened.” That’s it. No more “What happened means I am __________, or they are _______.” Matthew West’s song “Hello My Name Is” has become my theme song at age 73… I am going to recommend your blog to my brother Dave in California. Thanks Bad Axe Becky…
Thank you, Steve! Yes, that way of viewing experiences has become incredibly freeing for me. I’m so glad it’s hitting home with you, too. And thanks for sharing with your brother.