Growing Women Leaders – Session 1: Break the Balance Ball “Perspective in Balance”
My “homework” for the Growing Women Leaders Seminars I am attending. I better get busy because my first seminar is tomorrow!!
to refresh my memory:
| Quote: |
| © Ann Griffiths, 2007 Bring It Home #1 Ask someone you know who is strugling with what they see as a balance issue, to choose what character in a circus best represents their life right now. Then have them tell you what it’s like from that perspective. Don’t judge them or try to change their perspective. After they’ve told you about it, challenge them with: —> What do you gain from that perspective? —> What does that perspective cost you? —> What do you think God sees from that perspective? It’s good to have things to think about when we’re on our own so don’t hesitate to ask them to take these last three questions away to work on by themselves. |
My response to the initial question is:
So, I would see myself as a Ring-Master, but not always a very good one.
What do I gain from this perspective?
I learned a lot about how I juggle things and what I expect of myself. And by looking at my life that way, I could also view the other ‘characters’ in my life in a new and different way. My family is far more important than a circus (even when it feels like a circus), and providing an environment for them to thrive and be their best in is something I can do better at.
What does this perspective cost me?
Looking at my life as the Ring Master in a circus, I relegate myself to being in charge of the show, instead of allowing myself to be PART of the show. I miss out on participating fully as my own individual character because I’m too busy ‘keeping track of’ all the other things going on. My individual part is bigger than just keeing the other parts together, especially if I don’t do a particularly great job at organization and holding things in order. If I see the Ring Master in terms of a Creative Director or a Program Coordinator (like a wedding coordinator) then my role would be much more about ensuring a positive and memorable experience for the participants than about just getting it all done.
What do you think God sees from that perspective?
I think God sees a Ring Master trying to be BOSS, when in fact Someone else owns this circus and I’m really not ‘in charge’ at all. I think He sees the potential for this Ring Master to participate more fully as part of the show and with less worry about the crowd. I am assured that He doesn’t see the Ring Master as a “please the public with the best show on earth” kind of leader. Instead, He sees me sometimes forgetting that the show is ALL about Him anyway, and that my job is to help the other performers to “shine” for His glory. And I see that He’s chosen me for this particular circus, and He has a set of talents and abilities built into me that I can use to be Ring Master.
But maybe my kind of Ring Master is going to look different than the typical kind. He wants me to be ME first, and Ring Master second. Then I can help my ‘troop’ to know how to be themselves above all else, and how to take who they are and show His glory in fun, amazing, astounding and even daring ways in the circus tent of life.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls of all ages: Welcome! You’re in for a fabulous treat tonight…”
Sounds like this circus is improving already!
