Earworm, much? (Heh-heh)
Good morning!
Trusting others is something with which I've struggled most of my life.
Nevertheless. As part of a corporate training exercise back in 2010, that's what I was asked to do:
11 of us were double blindfolded, then led this way and that, so as to disorient. Then, with both hands extended, a portion of 50-foot of ski rope was placed across our palms. "Do not let go of the rope at any time."
Our sighted colleagues might laugh, but could not offer advice or encouragement.
"You have 10 minutes to fashion a perfect square."
As expected, nervous laughter ensued. Everyone began talking at once. Robbed of vision, I remained in place -- trying to identify voices, to feel the whereabouts of the morning sun. Then, came a calm, controlled voice ..... offering suggestions, directions.
8 minutes later we'd reached a consensus. We were ready to lay down the rope. Hardly a perfect square, but close!
The Training Director queried everyone: "Myra, why didn't you speak up?"
"Honestly, I trusted Steve." Not one of my favorite individuals, but someone I'd always respected. Feeling vulnerable, outside my own comfort zone, I believed there could only be one leader.
Even today. I realize my fears stem from not always trusting in a Power greater than myself to provide direction ... and make known a solution.
What about you?
What about you?
Have a great day, my friends. Stay safe!
Hugs, Myra
Good exercise about trusting others. We had similar in our "management" training.
ReplyDeleteI could go all "Christian" and talk about trusting God. The problem is, God these days does not speak in a clear voice like He spoke to Moses and the prophets. We need to really listen to His quiet still voice. Something we are often too busy to do.
Brilliant post today, Mevely. Thank you. God bless.
I agree, it's not always easy to discern God's messages in this helter-skelter world. My friend Mary no longer blogs so often, but I think today's post mirrors what you've said. Here's a link if you'd like to read it:
Deletehttp://pileofsmiles.blogspot.com/2021/02/you-are-loved.html
Thanx. Just visited Mary's blog.
DeleteGod bless.
This is one of the best blog entries I have read about insight. YES we must trust someone and it feels good to be able to. I remember my BIL defending a man once, "I would trust xxx (JOE) with my life!" His boss said, "That is a strong statement Dick!"
ReplyDelete"I know sir, and I meant every word of it."
I have thought many times, I know 2 or 3 people I would say that about. BUT do I mean that from my very soul? I do not actually know. BUT this has made me think, and that is good lady, THANKS!
Love from NC
Sherry & jack
Gosh. When I wrote this, I'd no idea it would resonate. Thanks!
DeletePersonally, I refer to these folks as life-boat friends. "Is this someone I'd want in my life boat? Sadly, the answer's often 'no.'
When I was a youth leader I was presented with one group of students who were definitely not church kids, but kids who definitely needed to be there...and a second group of kids who were church kids. Kids raised by Christian parents in the church and had known nothing else. There was a huge divide between the two and the church kids and their parents resented the other kids being there and being included. (Seriously) I started throwing trust exercises at them and forcing them to work together. They learned not only to get along, but to love each other like family. That eventually won the parents over and I even got a note from one family apologizing and admitting they were wrong. (Wow) I wish, reading your post, that I'd thought to relate it also to trusting a power greater than our own. That's some really good insight!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great illustration, Stacy! Have you written about these trust exercises? I'd love to hear more.
Deletethis is getting scary.. each time you post something about yourself that I have not heard before, it shocks me to the core at how much we are alike. I have had trust issues my whole life. I would not even let my mother put me out to shop in a store and come back to get me later, because I did not trust she would come back, or trust she could find me is she did... I trust nothing I read, or hear... i am not sure I would have done the blindfold thing. probably not.. i agree with the others, great post and lots to think about.
ReplyDeleteAt 5 am today, I came to the computer and pulled up Emmy lou Harris singing The Last Cheaters Walz. I had added 2 peopls singing that because you mentioned it here a couple of months ago, I was sailing around waving my arms and dancing and thinking of you. you said Alexa played it and you were off dancing across the floor.
Yep. I remember 3 y/o me having a melt-down poolside when my father kept telling me, "Jump, I'll catch you." He never gave me reason to doubt him, but still I refused.
DeleteBig smile: I can visualize you float-dancing around the room.
The only thing I've ever participated in like this we were supposed to fall backwards and trust that the person behind us would catch us. I couldn't do it! I never thought of myself as having trust issues but maybe I do after all - at least as far as my personal safety goes.
ReplyDeleteNO WAY I'd do that one, either. Personal safety is sacred.
DeleteExcellent post. Trust is so necessary. Sometimes I'm good at trusting and sometimes I'm not. I'm definitely a work in progress.
ReplyDeleteI think that holds true for all of us, Cathy. Thanks!
DeleteI would not like to be part of that training!
ReplyDeleteI don't recall our having a choice! 🙂
DeleteI’d rather do that rope exercise than the falling back one! I might not do well on it, but it would be good mental exercise.
ReplyDeleteI used to really enjoy mental exercises. Not sure what happened, but I'd better check to be sure my brain's not atrophied.
DeleteI'll reluctantly admit that the older I get the less I trust anyone (even that of a Greater Power). I find myself relying much more on my own instincts, rather than that of others (which I should have done years ago).
ReplyDeleteI would probably have failed miserably while attempting your training exercise. Being blindfolded would accelerate my confusion...
Aw, it was all in good fun. But yes, being robbed of sight was scary. I've a whole new appreciation for those actually sight-challenged.
DeleteTrusting in a Power greater than myself is so easy to give lip service to, but so hard to do.
ReplyDeleteExactly. You've nailed it!
DeleteThat looks like fun! At first I thought it was staying 6 feet away from someone!
ReplyDeleteYes, we all enjoyed a good laugh at our own expense.
DeleteYes, it is easy to say we trust in God until we are the ones being put to the test and have to exercise "blind faith". Not always easy even for veteran believers...always something new to learn in this life is what I've discovered, and it always seems to hinge on my faith. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam! Like the late great blogger Rick (Life 101) used to say, "Every day is a school day."
Deleteoh my, I'd have no idea where to start and would have depended on the others. It is good to have a team and a team leader. Someone has to do it. Trusting in the Lord is an important thing for sure.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! I've always tried to be a team player, but shrink at the thought of being a leader.
DeleteInteresting experiment you/fellow co workers were subjected to. I'll have to ask hubby if he ever had to do something similar when he was gainfully employed.
ReplyDeleteOver the years I've learned to trust more and more in God even in the things that don't make sense. It has caused lots less anxiety :)
betty
I'm so happy for you, Betty ... and hope I'll get to that place, too. Sooner rather than later.
Deletewhat an interesting experiment. i would have failed miserably. i tend to trust my own instincts, rather than others because i've been led astray once to often. i pray every day, i get it right.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it was about passing or failing -- rather working as a team. We all flounder!
DeleteMyra, we all question our faith from time to time, and I think that's a good thing. We need to recalibrate our souls, and put our trust in the only One who can take off our spiritual blindfolds and show us the way.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Recalibrate our souls .. I love that!
DeleteI love your thoughts on this!!
ReplyDelete