Have you been in a situation where you had no idea how stubborn you were being?

How about in a situation where the person you’re talking to is telling you how stubborn you are and you are like “No, I’m not” only solidifying the stubbornness at that moment?

If you’ve been reading this column for a while, you’ll see a common thread between the things I share with you: it’s all about you + your perception of what’s going on in front of you.

If you’ve been following for a while you’ll see that when I’m sharing what’s inside of my wild mind I’m asking you to reflect on what’s happening for you in your life. You’ll also perhaps recognize that I use a particular type of language around certain topics like self-inquiry or personal responsibility.

Photo credit: Darren Hull

This is because I grew up and developed in my 20’s as an athlete — ie. self-aware. That road continued into a job with Lululemon, a company who prides itself on the personal development of their people — ie. mega self-awareness + more personal responsibility of my actions and my life.

That has also carried me deep into my personal yoga practice and further down the path of self-refinement — ie. a floodlight of awareness on my mind tendencies + behaviour/belief patterns.

I'm telling you this so you have a better understanding of where I’m coming from when I share about these matters of the heart & mind. 

Flashback to my questions in the beginning about stubbornness.

Photo credit: Darren Hull

Now I want you to think of a time that someone asked you if you were willing to see your point from another view.

Did they slow down enough to not point the finger at you for being stubborn? Did they ask “are you willing?”

Chances are no, they didn’t.

There is a completely different energy around “are you willing to see this another way?” vs. “You’re wrong + stubborn + annoying and wasting my time.”

There is opportunity in asking about willingness. There is potential in being willing. There is fertile soil when you have an openness to be with what is right in front of you and see it through. 

Photo credit: Roz Huber

The next time you are in a situation where a disagreement is the elephant in the room, could you keep your cool and simply be WILLING to stay in the fire.

It’s usually the hardest to stay in the flames rather than turn your back and say “I’m not willing” but what if you shifted your mind to be WILLING above everything.

What if your willingness to find a resolution became more important than being right? You’ll have a solution for everything.

Maybe not right away, that’s where patience comes in. But when willingness is present, anything is possible.

xx

Roz