Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/journeys-in-leadership/5024827/
With lots of joy and a little sadness, I watched the video clips our staff sent me during the recent World Forum on Early Care and Education in Macao, China. I had planned to be there. For the past two years I’d dreamed with World Forum founders Bonnie and Roger Neugebauer, attended countless planning meetings with our team, and looked forward to connecting with 700 early childhood professionals from 70 nations.
When I learned that a temporary but serious family health issue would keep me from going, I knew it would be a test of my character to see if I could respond with grace. For years I’ve been using this phrase: “Everything that happens to us happens for us—if we choose to find the gift in the situation.” Did I really believe what I’d been espousing? And if so, what gift could be found in this situation?
As I watched the videos from afar, I realized I was experiencing an internal struggle between my most authentic self and the smaller, ego-driven me. My higher self rejoiced in how well everything was going, while the small me wistfully longed to be there.
After a day of seesawing emotions, it dawned ...