When asked about writing, Woody Allen once said “80 percent of life is showing up.” He went on to add, “People used to always say to me that they wanted to write a play, they wanted to write a movie, they wanted to write a novel, and the couple of people that did it were 80 percent of the way to having something happen.”
I got to thinking about showing up recently when a couple of my appointments didn’t happen because the other party didn’t show up.
When things like this happen, I initially run through all kinds of scenarios. They don’t want to talk to me. They don’t see me as a valuable use of their time. I must have really screwed things up the last time we talked.
Before long, though, I’m working to rewrite the inner story.
Is there a better way I can handle situations like this? Is there something I can do so no-shows happen less?
I recognize that things happen. Like the death of a loved one, as happened with one appointment that fell through.
I’ve had times when I didn’t show up as well. Like the day my schedule was back-to-back meetings, I took a break to get a bit to eat. When I came back to my computer, I had a message waiting for me saying that I had no-showed on them. I felt awful and went into overdrive to make amends.
Sometimes, in life, we just don’t show up as we would like. That doesn’t mean it’s all over. It only means we have the opportunity to do better.
To show up for ourselves with compassion, when it’s our mess-up. And to offer compassion and understanding when the other party overlooks the appointment.
As I was thinking along these lines, I pondered if there were other areas than appointments where I fail to show up.
A favorite Joseph Campbell quote came to mind this morning, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”
The cave may hold the desired treasure, it also holds a fire-breathing dragon! Am I expected to show up and fight the dragon, too?
Not necessarily. I can choose to retreat back down the mountainside and wait for another day to approach the cave. Maybe, the dragon will be gone then. Fingers, crossed.
Sometimes, though, the thing to do is to face the dragon. Learn to become a dragon tamer.
When we face the dragons in our life, we rarely face death. Sometimes, it may seem like death is looking us in the face. When we muster the courage to look a little closer, though, we discover the dragon is the reflection of a stuffed toy. Not so scary after all.
I’ve seen that happen many times as new Toastmasters face their fear of public speaking. They approach the lectern with trepidation, utter a few trembling words, then sit back down. Then they do it again. And again. Each time gaining a little more skill in facing their dragons. Before long, the public speaking dragon is reduced to an opportunity for play.
But, first you have to face your dragons! You have to show up!
Golden Word: valiant Latin valere (be strong, be well, be worth, have power, be able, be in health) which comes from the Proto-Indo-European root wal– (to be strong). Be valiant, my friend, and face your dragons.
Golden Quote: Our deepest fears are like dragons guarding our deepest treasure. – Rainer Maria Rilke
Golden Read: 9 Powerful Ways to Show up for Yourself Daily by blogger Sabria Sparrow.
Golden Question: What is the treasure you seek that lies on the other side of the dragon you fear?
This post is from the Golden Nuggets newsletter sent out each Tuesday morning to authors and speakers who want to deliver a richer story.