“Nothing determines who we will become so much as those things we choose to ignore.”
- Sandor Minab
In my last post, we began to explore the part of each of us that accompanies, contrasts, and complements that part of us that is true and divinely inspired. We referred to this alternate side as the “shadow”. I asserted that the shadow is a projection of what we believe we need to do or be to achieve success and that it is focused on lack and motivated by fear.
In this post, we will continue to look at the influence this shadow has on our behavior so we can better understand how to utilize it to accomplish the greatest good.
In an effort to rise above the pack, our shadows would have us engaged in activities that allow us to prove ourselves, thereby gaining some shred of gratification, if only for a moment. In contrast to our animating genius, which would have us participating in and enjoying each moment without regret or worry, our shadow would rather we never relax and keeps us busily hopping from one activity to the next without really investing ourselves in anything.
While the animating genius lives in the heart, our shadow takes up residence in our heads. Being analytical, it sizes things up, does a quick risk analysis, and attempts to focus our attention on all the things we have to fear. It concerns itself with what can be seen, touched, tasted or heard – that which can be proven.
Rather than seeing possibilities as animating genius does, our shadows rush to the future based on the past, and as a result may never fully experience the present. As a result, the shadow has a way of short circuiting us from our animating genius, which is of such infinite power and potential that it cannot possibly be measured. Since animating genius is one thing we all have in common, this interference also inadvertently cuts us off from others as well.
For leaders, these shadows present a great challenge and magnificent opportunity.
In my next post, we will explore this concept in greater detail.
Unleash the Extraordinary!
Diane Bolden
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