Curry Flurry
Do I have the attention of basketball fans and the Warriors fans in particular? If you are not a fan, relax – this was just my frivolous way of coming up with a different title. As I sit at my desk, our area is expecting its first flurries of snow later today…the beautiful softness of fresh snow.
Back to the topic…actually using Steph Curry as an example of the formula for the new, works well as an analogy. As 2021 comes to a close, there is once again a deep breath of hope that 2022 will bring something new and beautiful to our world. And while we are breathing in that hope, we can also look at how we can usher the new into our lives and into the lives of everyone we encounter.
It’s a simple, three step consideration. Over this year I have written of these steps individually and now I am putting them together as a way to give each of us a check in as we move forward.
The first step is Intention..I cannot emphasize this too much -without intent we find ourselves easily hijacked by reactivity and there is so much to react to..so setting our intention daily or event by event, guides us in all our steps without having to force any of them. It isn’t a goal – which contains a pre-determined outcome (impossible in times of transition) – it holds a quality that becomes the umbrella of action. Being patient, bringing in joy, finding the humor in something, letting your light shine, perfecting your loving. You get it.
The second step is Willingness..Being willing to let the new come through…being willing to let go of old ideas and old forms of being..being willing to trust that all things are for good no matter how they look. You get to pick of course, what you are willing to be – and the good news is you don’t need a gigantic amount..its not a pulling yourself up by the bootstrap…a little bit of willingness goes a very long way. And if that still seems daunting, consider being willing to be willing.
The third step is Gratitude..this is a feeling tone – not necessarily an action. Pausing to be grateful to be alive in this time that is shifting towards something longed for by everyone in the world. Perhaps the first time we can see the longing for new life everywhere we look. Being grateful from the heart ushers in the map for where you are going and who you are going with.
Back to Steph- you can see Steph’s intention before every game…he gets a very focused look on his face as he runs from one end of the court to a short stop at the other end. His willingness shows up every game…I heard him once asked if he gets discouraged when he misses so many shots..he kind of laughed and said well if you don’t take the shot, you’ll never know what might have been a three point. He is willing to have good games and not so good games in which to give his enormous talent to his team. And after every three point he points above his head with his forefinger. I actually don’t know why he does this but I have made up that he is giving thanks for the gifts he has been given.
Try out the Curry Flurry this week or if you are a Lakers fan or some other team…just call it the three steps. We are headed for the new regardless – so why not intend what the new will bring.
