I’m sure you have noticed how excitement collects a crowd. Call it curiosity, connectedness with our world, or misery loves company. Let’s put this idea to the test. The next time an ambulance speeds by with those flashing blue and red lights accompanied by the siren. It’s a dead giveaway that something is up. Young or old, it seems that events like these arouse our curiosity. Except for a few sicko’s, we often react out of our own need to connect with our world. If you think about it, don’t you and I respond in that same manner whenever we see a crowd? It can be for something as insignificant as a garage sale. Often, my family and I will even drive around the block to make sure we don’t miss out on something.
This human trait of checking things out then deciding if an event is exciting enough to stick around for is a great sales tool. If you happen to be in Walmart and suddenly over the p.a. comes a voice, “Ladies and gents, please turn your attention to aisle 7, women’s clothing. In the next 5 minutes we will have an unadvertised special on. . .” and blah, blah, blah. If the store is busy, you don’t want to go near aisle 7; unless, of course, you want to buy an on-sale item.
To be upfront with you, this playing on the instinctual response to something that may be of interest to others is what I’m doing now. And I might add, for very good reason. Some 18 years ago, after enjoying success at a community level, earning a master’s degree in religion, and a litany of life experiences too numerous to mention, I retired. It was then that I had the time to focus on my interests beyond work. To my amazement, I discovered a way of living my life that was liberating, empowering, and unifying: I found how to enjoy a life based on celebrate having my needs met rather than being held prisoner by my wants.
I wrote this brief introductory statement to spark your curiosity about how four simple words, stop, look, listen, and act can change your way of seeing yourself in the world. Stick around. There’s more to come
Jim
The Christian bible contains a story that over time has become popularized. This popularization has had the story used in many different ways with just as many different messages attached to it. I figure what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, so here goes my version of the prodigal son.