The absence is the invitation
The absence of something is the invitation to become that which is required.
Two years ago I read a book called The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership that taught me this mindset. The sentence above is paraphrased from the 15th commitment, called “Being the Resolution:”
I commit to being the resolution or solution that is needed: seeing what is missing in the world as an invitation to become that which is required.
I heartily recommend that book and I will likely share perspectives over time on this newsletter that have been shaped by other commitments in that book.
For now, let’s explore this mindset a little further and then go into some examples.
One key phrase in the mindset is “being the…solution.” This is about solving problems and creating impact. This is about being pulled into the arena to get sweaty, and maybe a little bloodied, building something or becoming someone that is needed in the world.
Don’t sit around waiting or wishing for others to create the life, the business, the family you want. Get started. Make the thing. Provide the assistance. Or become the person you need to be to manifest the world you envision.
The same thing that makes this mindset powerful is the same thing that makes it very advanced. Building something new or changing parts of who you are can be a difficult proposition. Doing those things require you to go down an uncertain and challenging path. It’s not always for the faint of heart, but it is worth the effort.
While I believe doing hard things is what life is about, the other beautiful thing about this mindset is the ease that’s created in the term, “invitation.” The absence of something isn’t an obligation for you to solve it. It means you can solve it if you’d like, but you can also pass on it. Many things are missing in the world and while you can do anything, you can’t do everything.
You’ll need to be strategic about the invitations you respond to. Every one you engage with is a commitment of your time and energy, both of which are finite. Reflect on the bigger vision you have for your life or work. Listen to your body’s response to the invitation - pay closest attention to those that give you one of those “whole body yeses.”
When you resonate with an invitation, that’s a clue. Follow those.
Note that the scope of the invitation can be small or large. Maybe the coffee beans in the break room are in an inconvenient spot. That’s your invitation to move them!
Maybe you need to help create a whole new product, or a whole new division at work - or even start your own business. You can do that! The world is inviting you to shape the future you live in!
As Lily Tomlin said:
I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.
So this week I want you to pay attention to these invitations floating all around you. One method is to hear yourself wishing someone else would do something. It’ll sound like:
“Why don’t they…”
“Can’t they…”
“Someone really should…”
That’s the sound of opportunity knocking! Flip these on their head and ask yourself instead:
“How could I…”
“What would it look like if I…”
“I should just…”
Let me know what invitations you respond to this week! I’d love to hear about the world you’re trying to create, both big and small. Just reply to this and the email will go directly to me. Talk soon!