As you start the week off, what lesson have you learned that continues to resonate with you?
One thing that I have learned is that no man is an island.
Today, I witnessed people who are stand-alone type individuals.
They are stand-alone because they believe the world revolves around them.
Sometimes, it takes a significant emotional event to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
As I reflect on the background to John Donne’s ‘No Man is an Island’ sermon, we must understand its context.
https://nosweatshakespeare.com/quotes/famous/no-man-is-an-island/
I’ve learned as a soldier, civilian, husband, father, and friend to know those five words: “No Man is an island” when I become challenged.
Many of us have learned the lessons of these five words in our lives.
There are times when we can’t do something or some things alone.
We need help.
The times when we tell ourselves that failure is not an option and realize we must call in for reinforcements to help pull us out of the proverbial mud or the quagmire that is holding us back.
Sometimes, we get stuck in our thinking, needing the assistance of a mentor, friend, colleague, or even a protégé to see the bigger picture.
Ironically, during the COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many experienced the need to see or be around people.
Lesson 7, particularly in the article from Yale Medicine, says, “Community is essential—and technology is too.”
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/8-lessons-covid-19-pandemic
Yet sometimes, we are not willing to fully understand the situations we are placed in until it’s a significant emotional event for us.
If you have not witnessed a significant emotional event (SEE), keep living, and you will.
Significant Emotional Event & The Impact on Your Employees | VanHooser.com
As I write today, I’m also thinking of the five letters VABES that I learned during one of my courses at Darden Business School taught by James G. Clawson on Level 3 Leadership.
It stands for Values, Assumptions, Beliefs and Expectations.
80157 03 033-042 r0 rz (virginia.edu)
Although ten years have passed, the lessons I learned at Darden Business School are potent reminders that no man is an island.
They are my powerful reminders because I see the VABES of others around me each day, not to mention reflection on my own VABES.
I realize sometimes we all, me included, need help pulling off our “rose-colored glasses” to understand that no man is an island.
Rose Colored Glasses – An Idiom Of Optimism Or Ignorance (grammarist.com)
As we prepare to enter the month of May, many High Schools and Colleges are also preparing for graduation.
I’m sure each graduating student has learned and incorporated various VABES, which they will soon understand or make a reality.
Some will enter the workforce as a culture shock, while others will still try to figure it out, thinking they can do it independently.
I pray that the significant emotional events (SEE) we’ve learned in our lives have taught us various lessons on being resilient that we can pass on to others.
Therefore, as you start your week, think about the lessons you have learned and those you continue to understand that you want to pass on to others.
“Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.” ~ Plato
No one can manage their up and down alone!We need to work together to ensure that we achieve our goals and objectives in life. I have learned through my experience that I would not have been able to achieve my dreams without my support and guidance from my family and friends. There are always lessons to be learned from others. Amen my friend!🙏🏾🙏🏾👍🏿
Ralph,
Greetings and thank you so much for your input this week. What you wrote is so true especially “being able to achieve my dreams without the support and guidance from family and friends.”
CM
Good thoughts –
I can’t talk of others only myself. Many times I have felt I had known option but to do it on my own whatever it may have been. It is hard to change but change is good. I have learned if I open my eyes and look their is always help available. One must learn to except help when offered and ask when needed. Being apart of something with other feelings so much better than being alone. We are not meant to be island’s.
Cynthia,
Blessings to you and I’m honored with your input this week. Powerful words of wisdom you shared in your thoughts. You are absolutely correct, “we must learn to except help when offered and ask when needed.” I have learned that lesson many times over.
McKinley
I also have daily encounters.. today is about a guy who doesn’t believe in kids receiving 8th place sports trophies. I understand his POV regarding incentives to work harder to get to the next level(s). But, there is a bigger picture – we want the kids to come back to play again. The trophy will still represent what they are given, not what they’ve earned. And when the (8th place) kid goes to sleep at night and sees the trophy on his mantle, the hope is they are reminded they were a part of something special where they had fun, and because they had fun, they want to do it again. Otherwise, they could quit, which could create a downward spiral in life.
Greg,
Greetings and thank you for being present. I enjoyed reading your comments because you are about adding value to others. Too many times I see children with low self-esteem and not guidance given to make them better. Sometimes we need to apply empathy and not sympathy in some cases involving our children even though they don’t belong to us. It’s how we are treated in life, that others will remember. For some they must get our of their humanity to see the divinity in others.
McKinley
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on lessons learned! It is so true that we need one another. We need community. As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness month, I think it’s an important message that so many of us need to remember. We are never alone. 😊
Also, I love John Donne’s work – especially his Sonnet #10. Thanks again for sharing!
Terica,
Greetings and you are so welcomed. I appreciate your feedback. Our Mental Health is important and should not be taken lightly. I’m honored that you also love John Donne’s work – especially his Sonnet #10.
McKinley