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March 1, 2021 20 mins

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Today we’re talking about how seeking and cultivating understanding builds unity and fosters community.  Understanding is the first part of the tenet of Wisdom.   

Intentional Optimism - Your Vehicle for Personal Growth:

  1. Optimistic = The hull, the vehicle that gets you from island A to island B.
  2. Present = The centerboard - keeps you upright, focused, centered.
  3. Energetic = The sail - captures & harnesses the wind, propelling you forward.
  4. Courageous = The rigging - holds everything together in proper tension, resilience. 
  5. Wise = The rudder - keeps you on track, heading in the right direction.
  6. Intentional = Setting everything up to properly capture the wind.

Topics discussed in this episode: 

  • Look for the Spiritual in the ordinary
  • Get real - be willing to see the good and the bad
  • Pursue a 360° view of life

Now what?
Start small. Start asking yourself some honest questions: 

  • Do I seek to understand? Or do I only want to be understood?
  • Is it my goal to understand the perspectives of those outside my “group?”
  • Where do I go for information, when I want to understand a particular topic?
  • What do I hope to gain from any new knowledge I discover in my search?
  • Where is my north star? Is my boat headed in a direction that aligns with my values and beliefs? Do I need to adjust that by pursuing more understanding in certain areas?

Next, if you’re ready to work on it, here are the ways I pursue understanding… 

  • Look for the Spiritual in the Ordinary. Acknowledging we are human helps keep us humble.
  • Get real - be willing to see the good AND the bad. Without that understanding, the true beauty and depth of our own existence never gets a chance to shine through.  
  • Pursue a 360° view of life. Don’t limit your view.  

Get involved!
Interested in a small group coaching opportunity? Email me at andrea@theintentionaloptimist.com

Do want to be part of a community that practices, encourages and supports being Intentionally Optimistic? Join me over in the Intentional Optimists Facebook Group

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