Thursday Thoughts - Emptying the cup

A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master in Kyoto, in search of knowledge. 
While the monk served tea, the professor commented exercises, analysed writing, interpreted stories and traditions, and deliberated on the ancient processes of meditation. 
He did everything to impress his host, in the hopes that he might be accepted as a disciple. 
As he spoke, the monk continued to fill his cup, until it overflowed and the tea began to flow across the whole table.  
The professor remarked - What are you doing? Can't you see the cup is full, and that nothing more will fit in it?
Your soul is like this cup - replied the master - How can I teach you the true art of Zen Buddhism, if it is already filled with theories?
                                                                      ~ from The Warrior of the Light Volume 3, Paulo Coelho 


Today I went for three interviews with recruitment agencies. And as I sat through each one, I reflected on all that I had learned, experienced and achieved.

One of the questions I got asked was ... if I rate you as 7/10 what would you do to get to 10/10? I gave him a pretty good answer but pondered on it almost all afternoon.

And then as today is a Thursday Thought day, I searched my "Warrior of the Light" book and came across the story above. Just what I needed. A confirmation of my answer to that recruitment agent.

At the end of every project I deliver or at the conclusion of each job I have to "empty my cup" and start again because each situation is different, each job / project presents different challenges and provides new knowledge. What works for one project may be the wrong way for another. Being prepared to re-learn, re-start, going back to zero, is how I move forward though on the surface it might look like "emptying the cup" moves you backwards. I'm not sure that the recruitment agent actually got that.

I have discovered that I have grown or discovered a new ability when I have been prepared to "empty my cup" - learn, change direction, re-start. This of course does not mean that I throw away all that I've learned it just means I am open to another way of looking at things or considering an alternative or relearning / enhancing a skill.

And it's quite refreshing to "empty the cup".

Enjoy your day.

Warm Regards

3 words that inspire

Follow your bliss
Is a phrase coined by Joseph Campbell that in essence tells us that we should pursue what gives us great joy, which we are passionate about, something that comes from deep within us. I will add here that "Following our bliss" is that which does not harm anyone but is achieved with love and kindness.

Each of us has a purpose to fulfil in our lives. Some have grand purposes and some have little ones. It does not matter which group you fall into. What matters is that we achieve what we are meant to achieve, what our soul is meant to learn or experience in this lifetime.

The way to fulfil that purpose is to "Follow our bliss".  Our passions, deep desires and all the things that bring us joy are indicators of the path we are meant to walk.

Even when the people around you think you are crazy, follow your bliss because, in the words of Mother Teresa, "In the final analysis, it is between you and God, it was never between you and them anyway".


Warm Regards

This post inspired by The Daily Love - what it means to follow your bliss

Links:  Joseph Campbell - Follow your bliss   Mother Teresa - Do it anyway

I Love Quotes - Robert Brault - Little things in life

Westpac Regional Stadium - a venue of the Rugby World Cup 2011

Thought I might change the format of my quotes and add in a photo - liven things up a little.

The Rugby World Cup is being played in New Zealand and I've been having so much fun watching all the games.

It is so awesome when your country hosts a major world event and I would've loved to be at the stadium watching the New Zealand All Blacks play.  (The NZ rugby team are called the "All Blacks" because their uniform is black).

But the tickets are expensive so instead I'm watching the games at home with the family.  And we are enjoying each game - screaming our heads off as if we were at the stadium.

New Zealand will play Argentina in the quarter finals. Looking forward to that game and all the other quarter final games too.

Someday I know I will look back to these days and fondly remember, probably not the games themselves, but all the little joyful and nail biting moments of this World Cup and they will bring a smile to my face.

Check my pics of the Wellington Regional Stadium one of the venues for the games on my other blog  Photos are fun - Wellington Regional Stadium

Interesting trivia - How the All Blacks got their name from All Blacks Wikipedia:
"The team's early uniforms consisted of a black jersey with a silver fern and white knickerbockers. By their 1905 tour New Zealand were wearing all black, except for the silver fern, and their All Black name dates from this time".


Wishing you all a day to remember.


Warm Regards