Coaching Corner: A fish story!
By Marilou Butcher Roth
Last week, one of my grandchildren, Ed, received a fishing pole as one of his presents, and he was excited to be able to use it. So, his dad, Jon, and his brother, Mike, as well as his Paw Paw Jack ventured out into the cold of December to enjoy a winter fishing expedition. They were there for quite some time, without even a nibble from fish that you would think would be hungry! According to my son, they “went for an hour-and-a-half with no bites.â€
My son told Ed that he felt bad that he hadn't caught any fish, but Ed's reply was that he “was going to have fun anyway learning how to cast!†I love this boy! So it came time for dad's five minute call before they were to leave what appeared to be a fruitless fishing venture. Uncle Mike told Ed he thought he would still catch a fish, but the reality looked bleak. Then, literally in the last minute, there was a nibble on Ed's pole and lo and behold, my 5-year-old grandson caught his first fish, and only catch of the day!
The beauty of this story is not that he caught the fish -- although that is fantastic, but the fact that he was clear that his happiness did not depend on that catch happening. He made a decision that he would be happy in the process. Brilliant, right?
Our little people are so incredibly connected to simple truths and we have so much to learn from them! How often do we miss the process or the journey, being too committed to the desired outcome we desire?
So, as we visit the idea of creating “resolutions†or “intentions†for this bright new year, are you willing to make one of them to be present with each moment, finding the delight that might be there for you if you open your young eyes to it? I plan on it! Happy fishing!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
