9. Finding peace with the power of a deadline

if rocks could talk - meet sylvia-rose Nov 25, 2021

What does a deadline have to do with loss?

 
Hi, I am Janet Jones, founder of Happiness Millionaire. I have recently started talking to a rock! This helps me navigate the next chapter of my life, the chapter without my 22-year-old son, Murray. The Rock's name is Sylvia-Rose. To learn more about how and why we met, read the first blog - 'If Rocks Could Talk, Meet Sylvia-Rose'. 
 
Our chat on the 23rd Nov 2021, about the role of deadlines

Jan - Morning, Sylvia-Rose.

SR - Morning, you didn’t quite skip here today but at least it is morning.

Jan - No. The day doesn’t have quite the same energy and enthusiasm as yesterday’s glorious sunrise.
 
SR - Yesterday you were feeling alive because you had a deadline, a goal. That was a goal that wasn’t going to wait for you to casually roll up. The sun has its own agenda.
Jan - Yeah, I guess there is something in that. I am also feeling a little low today. Could that be the weather?
 
 
SR - I think you humans expect to feel the same all the time. If you are not up and bouncing around with happiness and enthusiasm you beat yourself up thinking there is something wrong. Perhaps you start looking for problems when your feelings change. The thing is, everything changes. Today’s weather is a perfect example. It is VERY different to yesterday and that does affect everything. Can you see and hear as many birds as yesterday?
Jan - No. There are a few on the water and one crowing in the distance but it is very quiet. Is this weather a time to be quiet?
 
SR - You could do that. The thing to remember is that just because there are clouds and a little drizzle, doesn’t mean the sun isn’t shining. It is just above those clouds and as you see from yesterday, they aren’t always there. The sun, the light, is always consistent. You must remember that. Don’t make decisions on days like these. Just breathe and listen.
Jan - I hear the rippling of the water. It is gentle. Kind. It feels like it is creeping up on me to comfort me.
 
SR - It is. Nature wants to comfort you. You are nature.
Jan - So if the sunrise yesterday was my unmovable goal, should I create unmovable goals to get me up and motivated?
 
SR - That isn’t a bad idea. Just remember, you can’t control the outcome. The outcome of your goals is not consistent like the sun. There are too many variables involved. Remember how goal-driven you were with your handbag? You were doing very well and achieving them, and then Murray died. That was a VERY BIG variable. That floored you. You didn’t have the strength to continue being consistent.
Jan - So goals are a help but don’t get attached to the outcome?
 
SR - Exactly. The sun has the same goal of rising each morning and, fortunately, there are no variables to that, so you can rely on it. Not necessarily rely on it to give you its golden light every day but you can rely on it to show up. It just might be covered in clouds, wind, or rain. All these are essential. To make a strong and humble human being, you also require an element of bad weather, if you know what I mean. Can you imagine how you would take the sun for granted if it shone every day? That would be like taking life for granted. You don’t want to do that.
Jan - No. When we take things for granted we stop seeing the blessings. I better go now. I am getting chilly. Time for a cup of tea đź™‚
 
SR - I enjoyed our chat. Maybe think of some goals. Only one or two or you will get overwhelmed. Off you go. See you tomorrow?
 
Jan - That is the goal đź™‚ Have a good day. Xx
 
NEXT CONVERSATION - Finding the courage to start a new relationship - HERE
 

 

Janet Jones - happiness expert

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