Walt Hampton, J.D.

Creating the Work & Life You LOVE

Read The Directions
April 12, 2012

I failed the test. Again.

It was the same damn test that I’d failed in Fourth Grade.

Maybe you remember something like it yourself: It starts out with a clear mandate to read the directions; the directions are lengthy; and then there are the questions. Buried deep in the directions, somewhere toward the end, is the real crux of the exam: it reads something like this, “if you’ve read the directions this far, put down your pencil, the exam is done.”

Of course, being the type A driver, achiever that I am, I looked at the directions and said, blah, blah, blah, been there, done that, seen it all before, let’s get down to business. I had studied hard, made my flash cards, done my homework. I was ready. The questions were easy. I was nailing them. Until I realized that I wasn’t; that something was terribly off; that others were looking up and smiling.

Motherfucker.

That’s the problem when we think we know so much; when our cup is full.

We miss stuff. Important stuff.

We close ourselves off to the present moment. We fail to see what is new and exciting and different and significant. We miss what’s right in front of our eyes.

Kids are so much better than we are when it comes to this. (Could it be that the biblical invective to be as children are might mean something here?) They can watch the same show, see the same movie, hear the same bedtime story, all with the anticipation and joy and full engagement of the very first experience. Each time, new and different and interesting, all over again.

Not so much when we’re adults.

We categorize our experiences. We make up stories. Our minds get dull.

We come to the table with our assumptions and our judgments; with our “knowledge.” It all gets in the way. And then we miss what’s really going on.

A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served the tea, the professor talked on and on about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim, and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself.

“It’s overfull! No more will go in!” the professor blurted.

“You are like this cup,” the master replied, “How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup.”

And so it is in our lives.

My skills as a business coach and trial lawyer serve me well.  I can analyze situations and solve problems better than most. But, I can’t even begin to count the number of times that I’ve judged a person or a transaction or event based upon my own made-up stories… and been dead wrong.

How much richer life would be if we were to approach each and every moment, each and every interaction with our partners, children, friends, co-workers and clients, with curiosity and an open heart.

So read the directions carefully. They’re simple. Not easy, but simple. “Be here now. Fully present, fully engaged, with joyful wonder. Listen deeply, as if you were hearing it all for the very first time. Don’t miss a thing. And if you’ve gotten this far, put your pencil down. The exam is done.”

 

 

 

 

 

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

DOWNLOAD your FREE BOOK!

The-3-steps-to-living-an-inspired-life

DOWNLOAD Your Free E-Book NOW! Click Below And Get Going!

Click on the button for your copy of journeys!

Journeys-On-The-Edge

You’ll Get A Signed Copy!

Click on the button for your copy of my brand new book “The power principles of time mastery!”

The Power Principles of Time Mastery

You’ll Get A Signed Copy!

REGISTER HERE

Free Online Training Workshop

Thanks for signing in to the workshop!