Staying within our Circle

Not so long ago, I was steeped in a dark tunnel of transformation. I’d left my well-established, secure and wonderful life to become more of myself, reclaim my own voice, cultivate congruency within. It was a painful, confusing, challenging time that I wasn’t always sure I would live through.  But I did, and though it took four years, I emerged out the other side, more of the woman I was before I’d entered the experience, and forever changed for it.

One of the most valuable pieces of wisdom, imparted through the writings of now-departed Stephen Covey, was in his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He shared of his concept of dual circles — that of our Circle of Concern, which necessarily included matters outside our influence but that affected us anyhow — past events, politics, other peoples’ business, world events, etc. — and more relevantly, our Circle of Influence. It is here we have direct control over our personal selves and individual lives, of those close-in and those over whom we have a measure of control (I know, a strong illusion!).

It is here I choose to live, and offer it up as wisdom for us all. We are living in a time where we are BOMBARDED with the daily deluge and trivial, the dramatic and the extreme. Every moment that arrives we can ask ourselves, Is this something over which I have influence / Can I do something this? Or is it not in my area of interest but only mildly affecting me emotionally?

I find today the teachings as relevant as before. It helps me to not live in a day filled with reactive chaos, but intentional, deliberate focus. It helps me to stay my course of advocating for animals in my writing (shamelessly, I share my website, at Wildsight.co), and gives me more joy and energy to pour into my work and relationships. Staying in my own circle of influence is a matter of directing my energy into that which I find most important in my short time here on this little planet earth.

Blessings and peace for all as we go about finding our own Circle of Influence,

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