REFLECTION: The Need for Reflection
Life is crazy, busy, and fast. A few days ago, I began to follow the twitters of Guy Kawasaki, the marketing legend. Does the guy ever sleep? Twitters every 10 minutes. You’ve got to be kidding me. Come on, Guy. Take a deep breath. Relax a little. Within 24 hours I chose to “unfollow”.
Either life is moving faster and faster or I’m moving slower and slower. Perhaps both are true. Help. We need time just “to be” – to sit quietly, to listen, and to reflect.
Tragedy forces us to reflect.
Nearly a decade ago, the terrorist attacks of 9/11 led many of us into serious soul-searching about purpose and meaning. But, we quickly moved on and returned to normal living; getting and accumulating, from Wall Street to Main Street.
A year or so ago, the tragedy cycle returned and struck again. This time it was the economy. It spiraled downward and once again we found ourselves in the midst of reflecting. For the unemployed, reflections about careers and finances. For policy makers, discussions (or arguments) about boundaries (rules and regulations) in financial transactions.
Months ago, tragedy struck for me in the near death of my daughter from H1N1. Not surprising, I did a lot of reflecting.
I wonder: must we experience tragedy in our lives before we will stop moving, take time to reflect, and ask ourselves, “What is really important here? What changes do I need to make in my heart and soul?”
I’ve come to understand that life is a journey which requires of me daily reflection to be healthy. It requires self-discipline. It requires me to think and act holistically – to see myself as a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual person.
How important is this to me? To be completely candid, my most important time each day is not when I’m putting together business deals. It is not even when I’m with those I love. It’s when I’m alone. It’s in the early morning hours. When the sun rises and darkness falls. Silence is everywhere. My family sleeps. And, the only voices I hear are the whisperings of my soul and the small, still voice of my God.
It is in these daily times when I reflect. It is here when I think about where I’ve been, where I’m at, and where I’m going. I reflect – on what type of person I’ve been, I am, and I want to be. I listen. And, I write. I journal. I rant and rave. I curse and weep. I am both profane and proper. Sometimes profound. Sometimes pitiful.
“I think, therefore I am.” I reflect therefore I am – healthier. I’m not into checkbox living – check, I did it. My motivation is not to impress you or anyone else. I take time to be quiet, to journal, to pray, and to read a chapter in my Bible because I need to. I must. It’s that simple. If I want to avoid being controlled by the greed and lust that is around me and also deeply rooted within my own heart, I must practice this self-discipline of reflection. It is the only way I know how. There is no other option for me.
I feel better when I take time to reflect about life in general and my life in particular. I’m healthier. I also believe I’m a nicer person for doing so, which is much healthier for those who live and work with me.
So, take some time for yourself, my friend. You will be a more joyful person. You will like yourself better. And, others will like you better as well.
Blessings to you.
Len
Thank you for the time it takes you to write your words of wisdom! As I get older I reflect more often on my past and realize the importance of my future decisions……….
Have a great day Len!
Ed
Hi Len,
I, like you, take the early morning to sit in the quiet to reflect and listen to the still small voice of God. When we are rushing around during the day it is hard to hear Him. This has been the best thing I have done for myself. I believe that it does make me a better person. Hopefully a person others like to be with.
Susie
Len,
What is there about age that causes or allows one to be more reflective? And then to share those reflections with whom? Who cares? We know God cares,deeply. Some of our family may care or at least act like they care.
The treadmill of life keeps on turning and we forget that we have a choice, to be on it or not or to control the speed of our own treadmill. For me it comes down to making a difference.
Great article, Len. I also deeply value my alone time - and believe that creativity and innovation need lots of quiet time to bubble up from the inner well - a concept that has major implications for both employment and education!! Rather than Twitter and Facebook (which I use for personal stuff) I prefer to keep a folder on my Favorites Toolbar of blogs I like to read that inspire me - mostly progressive coaches and teachers like Michael Neill (geniuscatalyst.com), Steve Chandler (imindshift.com) and world travelers like chrisgillebeau.com and ridiculouslyextraordinary.com. I just check in with them every now and them and don’t bother following them with social media. So I will definitely be checking out the links on your site and would love to see a conversation here about favorite bloggers who teach that marketing is really about honesty and authenticity…
Len - Thank you. Your thoughts…your reflections resonated deeply. I too have experienced much self discovery through reflection, meditation, prayer brought on by the death of my parents. Equally have found the the wee hours of the morning…transformative…so much so that I changed careers and am just finishing a book about the whole experience.
Would enjoy swapping thoughts over a cup of joe, or other.
All good things,
Rick
Len,
Thank you for sharing from your heart. I was asking myself the same question last week. I appreciate your challenge and example to those of us trying to live in authenticity, love toward others, and our God-given “sweet spot”…that place of complete congruency.
Blessings to you and your family!
Kathie
Just had to let you know that your comment regarding Guy Kawasaki’s intense twitter addiction made me laugh. Breathe, Guy… breathe!
Nice article Len. It resonates with me as I am finding that the older I am becoming the more reflective I feel compelled to be. Perhaps the dawning realization of mortality drives a corresponding increase in slowing down the pace to reflect. I can relate to what you are sharing and appreciate how plainly, even nakedly, you state your inner travels.
Thank you for your words - It really is a tragedy that we need a tragedy to make us think and evaluate our lives. The older I get the more I learn! Part of that learning is that it is the people in our lives that make the difference not the toys or material things we possess! I wish I had learned at an earlier age what a gift it is to have time each day to reflect on our actions and interactions of life.
Keep the good words coming!
Nancy
great blog, bookmarked it to show my friend :)!
apparently, I only know 99% of all things important. Profound or pitiful, either way, inspirational beyond the ten steps of “checkbox” living… shall we achieve, attain or receive a life more abundant. Thanks for sharing and allowing me to sit at your virtual footstep and listen.
I do enjoy.
Len -
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us. It is inspirational.
Have you read this article from the NYTimes? Athough it’s about depression and asks the question of what survival advantage is gained by a species that gets depressed, it goes further into asking questions that you posed - about when we do our best thinking, and is tragedy the necessary catalyst.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/magazine/28depression-t.html
Regards,
Bill
Bill, thank you for kind words. The NYTimes article is very good. Thanks for sharing. Len