Day 37 – Inspired Collaboration and Serendipity

Have you watched those disaster movies where the main character just barely makes it to safety as the ground crumbles just behind them? I feel like this on a regular basis. Which is kind of a cool feeling.

There is something interesting/inspiring about making that extra push that propels you into a space where you can just make it. It is exciting to be on the edge of your ability and just make it to a place where someone can reach down and you can grab their forearm and they pull you up the rest of the way. But for giving it your all, they would not have been able to assist you to reach the goal.

This happened to me today at work. I’ve been pushing and moving forward with a difficult project . . . and today two people reached down and pulled me forward. And, they committed to further working sessions in the coming days. I’m not out of the woods yet, so to speak. Yet, their help was heartening and resulted in a significant advance in the quality of the work as we collaborated. I know their help would not have come had I not been driving up hill with my full effort. I think they were inspired to pitch in because they could see the momentum and the possibility of success. The win today simply would not have occurred had I given in to despondency or fear. Push forward and often times you will find help just over the next rise.

Many times I’ve read about a lost hiker who gave up and perished with help nearly within reach. Don’t give up. Your effort can and will inspire others to spontaneously help you. You see this phenomenon in sports; it shows up there often, however it can happen in many circumstances. It can happen within your family, or at work, or on a project.

Many years ago I was invited to join a crew building a straw bale house in the country, just for a day. Myself, and a friend, an experienced carpenter, really poured on the effort. The other experienced team, from Canada, caught the enthusiasm, and we all got into a rhythm. We started working with a relentless joy, for many hours. The inexperienced volunteers also caught the bug and got focused and in sync with us. By the end of the day, all of us together had far exceeded what was thought possible for the day. We enjoyed hot coffee as darkness fell and light snow descended, the owner of the property gave out generous cash bonuses to all. The cash was nice, but the joy of being a part of an inspired team of people was the most satisfying and memorable part. It was spontaneous, satisfying, and fun.

I hope to have more days where this kind of inspiration, a sort of magic, occurs. I hope that somehow this story of a particular kind of experience inspires you to find/create it in your life, to spark this kind of spontaneous joy. Giving your all and extending trust to those around you seem to be important ingredients. Perhaps this could be a habit of character one could develop? I think so.

Ben Wagner (43)

Member 365 Commitment

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