What is on your mind right now?
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| Photo by Andy Do on Unsplash |
Our poem last week zeroed in on the remarks by Rafael
Nadal after winning the French Open 2018.
It was his answer to a question about catching up with the
World’s Number One Tennis Player in trophy count that caught our attention.
It’s a rare answer in this go-getter, gun-ho culture we live
in.
With 17 trophies, Nadal said he was not crazy about catching
up to Roger Federer’s count of 20.
His answer is worth repeating.
“Let me enjoy this title. I can’t be always thinking of
more.”
That’s rare coming from a professional in a competitive
sport, where the focus is always on the next title, and attaining legendary
status.
Sometimes, in our pursuit for more, we even forget to stop to
savour and celebrate our accomplishments. Or even to learn and reflect on our victories
and how we won them.
And slowly, life becomes one long race of chase after chase.
The result is that we end up missing most of the momentous
experiences in our journey. We don't notice them. And we are rarely honour them.
This is why we think that the last sentence by Nadal in our
Poem is true gold. He says,
“What is in my mind now is I won a very important title for me.”
“What is in my mind now is I won a very important title for me.”
First, he seems to appreciate the importance of the win.
Second, he seems to acknowledge that this is a special moment in his
life and wants to savour it before moving on to the next big challenge.
And finally, he seems to be fully aware that this is his win, by him
and for himself. Implicit in this is that it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t win
another trophy. This one is good. And it is enough. And it is his.
In the last couple to articles we have been talking about noticing.
And there can’t be a better example than this, on how noticing can help us gain
perspective of our life’s journey.
Remember, these words were spoken instantaneously and
without hesitation, in answer to a question by a reporter. He must be someone who is very self-aware.
It’s impossible to read that answer and not understand what
truly matters to Nadal.
It’s as clear as day.
And that’s what noticing does. It clarifies, sorts and
orients you in the right direction.
Assume I’m a reporter and I found you right where you are, as
you read this, and i asked you, “What is on your mind right now?”, what would
your answer be?
Would it point out to me, clearly, on what is important to
you at this moment?
Would someone reading your answer understand and see clearly, what your priorities are?
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