Life Experiences Are Feedback: Part Three The Weather Doesn't Need My Permission

This morning, the sky looked uncertain.

 Clouds. dark and heavy in places, with just enough sunlight peeking through to make me wonder whether a walk on the beach was still possible.

For a moment, I wasn't sure whether I would make it there at all.

But I got up anyway.

I got dressed.

I prepared.

And then I waited.

Eventually, the opportunity presented itself and I started walking towards the beach.

The roads were still wet from earlier rain. Overhead, dark clouds were moving across the sky. The sea sounded different today. As I got closer to the shoreline, the waves crashed loudly against the shore, creating a rhythm and intensity I hadn't heard during the previous mornings.

Everything felt less predictable.

Yet somehow more alive.

I made it halfway down the beach.

Just far enough to see my fisherman friend.

We exchanged nothing more than a wave and a smile this morning

A few minutes later, the rain arrived.

The kind that makes you realise the timing of your departure was rather fortunate.

My walk was shorter than expected.

But it was enough.

And as I hurried back, surprisingly happy despite the rain, I realised that life was offering me another piece of feedback.

Sometimes success is not getting everything you planned.

Sometimes success is simply showing up for the opportunity that exists.

Yesterday's workshop taught me the same lesson.

If I had measured the day against my original expectations, I might have focused on everything that didn't go according to plan.

We started later than anticipated.

One key panellist only managed to attend the final fifteen minutes of the discussion.

We expected at least eight banks to participate.

Only two came.

On paper, there were many reasons to become frustrated.

Many reasons to worry.

Many reasons to focus on what was missing.

Instead, I found myself returning to the commitment I made at the beginning of this trip.

Focus on what is in front of you.

Let go of what is not.

What emerged throughout the day were thoughtful discussions, honest contributions and meaningful dialogue.

People shared openly.

Ideas were explored.

Different perspectives were heard.

Relationships were strengthened.

The richness was not found in the numbers.

It was found in the conversations.

As the facilitator, I stopped trying to make the day into what I thought it should be and instead became curious about what it was becoming.

I approached people with respect. I approached conversations with enthusiasm.

I approached challenges with curiosity. Most importantly, I approached myself with grace.

I did not need to know everything. I did not need to control everything.

I simply needed to be present. Looking back, the weather this morning feels like a perfect metaphor for yesterday.

I couldn't control the clouds. I couldn't stop the rain.

I couldn't make the sun shine. But I could be ready if a window of opportunity appeared.

And when it did, I walked. The same was true in the workshop.

I couldn't control attendance. I couldn't control timing.

I couldn't control last-minute changes. But I could be ready to engage with whoever was in the room.

And when the opportunity appeared, I facilitated. Perhaps that is the lesson for me today.

Too often we make our peace dependent upon perfect conditions.

Life seems to be teaching me something different.

Prepare for the weather you want. Be grateful for the weather you get.

Then make the most of the journey anyway.

As I head into Day Two of the workshops, I carry that lesson with me.

The clouds may come.Plans may change.

People may surprise me.And opportunities may arrive in forms I never expected.

My job is not to control any of it.My job is to show up.

Life Experience Feedback #3: Growth happens when we stop waiting for perfect conditions and learn to make the most of the opportunities that appear between the clouds.

Peace and Blessings

Akosua