There is a phrase that talks about ‘the elephant in the room’.
This is meant to address how something glaringly obvious is sometimes overlooked or ignored despite its prominence. When delivering sessions and working on a one to one basis with individuals, sometimes this condition is more than apparent. For example someone who has a loud and brash personality that can be off-putting to others, reveals how they find it odd as to why some people are put off them. It is as though they genuinely didn’t see their own behaviour being the key behind their lack of progress in establishing relationships.
Now these glaring obvious things are the reason why I encourage others, and am reminded myself never to overlook that which is obvious. It is a good place to start. Acknowledging what is obvious can lead to understanding how to make the most out of a situation in a manner that might not have been so obvious.
In acknowledging the obvious, it is not always about the elephant in the room. If MacGyver has taught us anything, it’s that the little things as well as the large things can play just as significant a role in making progress.
It becomes more and more a reality for me in what I experience and what I observe in the experiences of others, that whilst we clamour for the great things and desire other things, we have not made the most of everything we currently have. Whether it’s an external resource at our disposal or an internal quality, ability or gift that has been left dormant, or neglected, these essential elements of ourselves are useful and could be integral for us achieving what we might have longed for.
What works on an individual level is equally applicable in a group setting. Please never neglect the qualities and contributions that others can bring to the group. It might be a small thing, but you might be missing out on what is the obvious key to future success.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 