7 ways to reach your Giant within
What is courage? A state of mind, a state of heart, a state of intelligence, a state of determination, a state of wisdom, a state of compassion or a state of grace? We have all seen it in action, admired courageous people and felt transformed by our own courage but again what is it? It’s all around us like the picture below. It is the force of nature in you.
Where do you find a state of grace? The courage of the earth is your gift from the wonders of nature. How do you find this gift? Last night I was surrounded by the stillness of the jungle and I began to think about how those giant trees were keeping me safe. They were in a state of grace.
#1 Find grace in nature and that grace is yours to add to your giant.
Where do you find a state of compassion? If grace is in nature then compassion is in people. Today I was surrounded by little girls who were helping one another but one came toward me and offered me her two hands to take my two hands to help me step over a little river. She saw that I was older and yet could need the help of a small girl. It was an act of total pure compassion with an expression of love so simple which was part of her giant within.
#2 Find compassion in people and that compassion is yours to add to your giant.
Where do you find a state of wisdom? Wisdom evolves with experiences. It is always associated with age as the older you are the more experienced you are. At least that is the belief of many. It can also be a matter of the lessons you learn along your path. I often find that you need to capture the lessons in your life to use them with others. My best friend suffered from depression. I learned from him what a black hole (depression) can do to a person. I used his wisdom to help others.
#3 Find wisdom in experiences and that wisdom is yours to add to your giant.
Where do you find a state of determination? Are you an optimist? To be an optimist is to be. In a way this responds to Shakespeare seminal question “To be or not to be”. So determination is from your internal strength and convictions. However, it is a path of least resistance because it is who you are and what you must do. You can be brave, not afraid, and convinced that your determination is helping you become.
#4 Find determination in yourself and that determination is yours to add to your giant.
Where do you find a state of intelligence? Intelligence accrues at the intersection of knowledge and insights. Intelligence is a matter of insights. The more knowledge you acquire, the more insights you can develop by using what you know, your skills, to create your intelligence. The intersection is like a synapse in the brain connecting two neurons (knowledge and insights) and creating other neurons. People develop their intelligence with insights.
#5 Find intelligence and insights in yourself and that intelligence and insights are ours to add to your giant.
Where do you find a state of heart? The heart where the soul resides is your source of passion. If you are passionate you have meaning in your life. How do you develop passion? If you listen with your heart, you can assess your emotions and you can discover a passion. If you want to discover your passions use your heart. I have been listening to my heart more in the last few years than ever in my entire life. I discovered deep passions that I never knew I had.
#6 Find the heart in yourself and that heart is yours to add to your giant.
Where do you find a state of mind? Expressions like “mind your own business”, “have you lost your mind” “where is your mind” are all indicative of being out of touch, irrational, or strange. Yet to me a mind is a beautiful thing. It is unique to you and can allow you to gather a perspective on life. Growing the mind is like cultivating your garden as Voltaire finally realized in Candide.
#7 Find the mind in yourself and that mind is yours to add to your giant.
I hope that the above 7 ways to reach your Giant within are a reward to yourself and a gracious gift to your Giant.
