"I could define poetry this way: it is that which is lost out of both prose and verse in translation." In other words, "Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words." _ Robert Frost

Episode 3: The Adjacent Possible

In The Circle, we are exposed to elements, environments and energies shaping individual and communal experience. Each of us is using learnings about how beliefs and perceptions shape our reality to inform choices and actions devoted to creating "the new" in accordance with a purpose or calling.

Is there a gap between your vision and what is possible? That is a beautiful problem to solve. That gap is fertile ground for innovation. It is an inviting space for creativity, novelty, transformation. Step into the gap. Embrace the challenge. You are about to make things happen.

I introduce three valued concepts - Balance, Focus & Rhythm - to athletes from the get go. Then we learn to breathe. (Are you breathing right now or just holding tight to your breath? Breathe.) Throughout all training, at every age, whether coaching athletes, recreational players, entrepreneurs or students, whether it is on court, in the field or moving through life, balance, focus and rhythm remain our central themes. Dr. Yu, a recent coaching client, is a young army veteran and entrepreneurial engineer designing newer technologies for future driving experiences. On hearing the opening bars, as it were, of my speel on balance, focus and rhythm, his eyes lit up. He smiled. He had an epiphany, which he shared, highlighting it using one of our outstanding athletes as an example. His conclusion: balance, focus and rhythm are at "the center of a beautiful life." I agreed and in like manner, added, "Living poetry: the restorative economy of a gorgeous life." Isn't it? It is. At every turn it is always better for us to free ourselves from the tyranny of a stuck mind. Balance. Focus. Rhythm..

For perspective, here is a cold hard fact. We are amongst 8 billion humans on earth. Each of us is but ONE of far over 100 billion humans who have lived on planet earth. The overwhelming majority are long forgotten through the press of ongoing life. No trace. No awareness. For those remembered or referenced, it's only a matter of time before they are erased. All forgotten. So will each of us as time rolls on. Perspective! So why are we here? You. Me. On earth. In this moment.

During the month of March, for a few years now, we've planted and distributed fruiting and flowering apple, cherry and plum seedlings across our city and suburbs, and encouraged others to do likewise, and have watched these plants mature and bloom throughout and around our communities, passing them by regularly in pleasure. Yep, there's a story there, perhaps it has become a parable from inside The Circle. Look around you'll see them. There is Spring. Then there is Summer. Autumn and Winter do come. Elsewhere seasons have different patterns. Look around. Gardens of differences serenade us. They please us.

Earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, volcanoes--they stem from the same forces that give our planet life. Earthquakes give us natural springs; volcanoes produce fertile soil. It is only when these forces exceed our ability to withstand them that they become disasters. Together they have shaped our cities and their architecture; elevated leaders and toppled governments; influenced the way we think, feel, fight, unite, and pray. The history of natural disasters is a history of ourselves. Life persists. Regardless of any of us!

You are altogether beautiful, my love;
    there is no flaw in you.

King Solomon

Circles have fascinating physical, mathematical and pyschological properites. Every circle has a circumference radiated from its center and is bounded by one line. We can group its qualities into, let's say, a yin and a yang. Everything we see exist together in delicate balance. Where might you be in The Circle and what nodal touchpoints are you revisiting? Have you had a breakthrough? See what you see in the light of the problem you want to solve or "the new" you want to create. You are experiencing it in relation to the rhythm that is YOU. Your reality. Be cognizant of its impact. And be aware of your stance. Rhythm. Focus. Balance. A circle of life.

Evil vs Ego vs Enemy!

Evil is not a remedial force amenable to reform. Evil is evil, knows it is evil, and damned good at being evil. Evil's singular bent is human suffering and anihilation. Evil's full intent is deceipt. That battle is not yours.

Even so, evil must never be ignored, or allowed, or pandered, or messed with; it has to be dealt a blow at every turn. Evil is an enemy. Evil in and of itself ought not to be confused with ego in and of itself.

Ego is evil's sitting-duck, an able collaborator, humankind's vulnerability. It is dangerous to conflate differences of perspectives, disagreements, obstacles, challenges, and the like, with evil. Evil can use anything, even goodness, and anyone, even the best of us. Evil is evil. Anyone can be evil. Anyone can do evil. Evil is within and without. Ego wholly belongs to its owner. And it has blindspots.

An enemy does not want you to succeed. Your enemy opposes you achieving your goal and may use any means necessary to block you. It is not unusual for Ego, Enemy and Evil to merge into one.

Life on earth is strewn with challenges and obstacles. Let's highlight examples and discover how equpped we are to overcome. "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing." Edmund Burke. Do something special.

Life: it is a dance. It gets better with practice; its music is in your heart and in your soul and in your blood and in your bones. Life; it is a dance. It gets better with practice. You have a partner – your spirit. You can have a party if you like, but choose smartly who you invite, for life – your life – is a dance. It gets better with practice, unless you stop the music or so crowd your dance floor there is no space to move or be moved within it. Explore. Yes, life; it is a dance. It gets better with practice until the dance becomes the dancer and the dancer becomes the dance and life and all of existence becomes a singular flow. Yes, life; it is a dance. It gets better with practice. Dance.

a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.

tour de force

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Be Encouraged. DO SOMETHING special

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You are

What POWER!