Spirit of Mastery

In my last blog, I introduced the Circle of Courage ” the Spirit of Belonging, based on early Indian culture and philosophy of raising children.

Remember to think about being related to everyone you come in contact. * Yes, I know that sometime family events and visits can be challenging.*  However, the bottom line of family is they won’t go away like friends sometime do.*  No matter what, the blood line connection will always be there whether you are in contact or not.*  With this philosophy, we are more apt to work together for the good of all instead of the philosophy of “us vs. them” approach.

With the philosophy of being related to all you come in contact, let’s think about the next philosophy ” the Spirit of Mastery.*  What do you do when you hear about someone who is down on their luck?*  It could be a health diagnosis, accident, loss of a job or something else.*  Many join together to support the person and family with our time, food, driving, prayers and maybe even money.*  Helping others certainly makes us feel better.

What do you do when someone in your life has reason to celebrate?*  They might get the promotion that you wanted or felt you deserved; they bought a new car and your car is more than 8 years old; they are in love with someone new and you are alone.*  Are you as quick to celebrate with them or do different thoughts block you?*  Thoughts could include something as, “I could do that better than him/her.”*  Or “Wow!*  They are so lucky!”*  “I wish I had someone do that for me!”*  “I deserve that promotion as I’ve been here longer.”*  “I wonder who they know to have gotten such a good job!”

Our judgment and envy can get in the way of sincerely being happy for another person.*  In our society, there seems to be an unhealthy competition of what we have, what we can do and what we get in our lives.*  We are less apt to celebrate and be happy for others compared to helping those in need.*  We discount other’s celebrations with concerns they have surpassed us; bettering us.

In the Indian culture, the Circle of Courage offers “master” as another form of behavior.*  Children were taught to keenly observe and listen to those who have mastered certain skills. They also had been taught to celebrate, enjoy, and respect other people’s mastered skills.*  Each child was taught to find their own mastered skills and not be jealous of others.

photo credit: Letterpress Achievement via photopin (license)