Lightning Bolt Moments
Sometimes, whether I am writing or talking , I act as a lightning bolt to bring about change. A friend and colleague once said, "Coral, you are not a light-bulb of inspiration. You are a lightning bolt of instigation!"
I was a little bit offended and hurt, because it reminded me of the stabbing feeling I experienced when my mother would ask, "Why must you be a 'shit-disturber'? Stop being such an instigator and you won't have people mad at you!"
When my friend said that to me, she told me that my being a lightning bolt was a good thing. I looked up the definition verb "to instigate" at dictionary.com to get a new perspective. It gave me two definitions: 1.) to cause by incitement; foment (as to instigate a quarrel); and 2.) to urge, provoke, or incite to some action or course (as to instigate the people to revolt).
So, for the first time in my life, I honed in on what it is I (intend to) do as an instigator: I urge people to take and action. Sometimes, I may have to "poke-the-sleeping-bear" and deal with the growls and angry swipes of the paw.
So, the question becomes, am I looking to help others or bring out the bear in others? Either way, I must be willing to encounter the response/result. And, if I encounter the bear, do I retreat or do I stand for what I believe in, which is urging a course of action?
Six years ago, I declared my mission and purpose in life as: "To help others see beyond the challenges they face." As was pointed out by my friend, my style is that of a lightning bolt. It is not something I really can change, as my personality seems to drive it. And I have been dealing with the response (consequence) of that for nearly 60 years.
Have I tried to be different? Change my personality? Yes, I have, but each time, I still find myself in the same place. When I try to alter WHO I am, I am not being genuine.
Might I have to adapt my word choices to fit the appropriateness of the situation? Of course! I have to understand the audience.
However, as with any audience, whether one person or thousands, there will always be people who perceive whatever I say, or whatever characteristic they see in me from their own lens of beliefs, experience, values and personality. I have absolutely no control over that. Some will always choose to see me as a "shit-disturber," instead of an "agent of change."
I would just prefer them to see me as someone who: Has a heart; is open to hear what others have to say; is passionate about what she has to say; will be direct and genuine in dealing with you; and will always trust that with new information or ideas, you will always make the decision that makes most sense to you.
And me, I now own who I am--a lightning bolt of instigation.
© 2015, Coral Levang All rights reserved.
change | personality | passion | lightning | heart | lightningbolt
Image Credit » Author owned. Painting, "Hear Me Roar," artist Coral Levang
Comments
rosepetal wrote on February 13, 2015, 2:08 PM
Nothing wrong with it, as I see it. There are a lot of people that need a shove in the right direction. And without that shove they don't or won't do it.
AliCanary wrote on February 13, 2015, 3:22 PM
Some of us are a little glow, and some of us are a force of f***ing nature, Dearie. You keep being you.
MegL wrote on February 13, 2015, 3:40 PM
That is a great thing to be. So now you know your passion and it is NOT creating meals from your freezer. You have been a lightning bolt helping RGD change his way of eating and enabling him to recover.. Part of that might have included whipping up freezer meals but that was not who you are.
1crowntower wrote on February 13, 2015, 5:34 PM
Just always identify yourself to God. Actually if you are a truth bearer you will always hurt someone by your words because truth are very painful at times. But don't worry about it unless you have tried.
DWDavisRSL wrote on February 13, 2015, 8:10 PM
Whenever you try to initiate change there will be those resistant who will try to discourage you and, failing that, will work to denigrate you so as to get you go retreat. Standing firm when you know your cause is right take courage, or at least stubbornness.
BarbRad wrote on February 14, 2015, 12:51 AM
I like who you are. That last paragraph describes just the sort of person I think makes the ideal friend.
GemOfAGirl wrote on February 14, 2015, 1:27 AM
I have a favorite lyric from an R.E.M. song: "Live your life with Joy and Thunder." (I added the capitalization because I think it's completely appropriate.)
A force of nature cannot be contained. Utilize your gifts, Stir the pot, Stay true to your true self, and every other cliché that is based on a truism. It's the source of true inspiration.
CoralLevang wrote on February 14, 2015, 2:29 AM
Thank you so much for your comment. Sometimes, I wish that I didn't feel I have to be the one to do it.
CoralLevang wrote on February 14, 2015, 2:30 AM
You DO know how much I absolutely adore you, don't you? *hugs*
CoralLevang wrote on February 14, 2015, 2:32 AM
*laughs* It's definitely NOT creating meals from my freezer. Never really was, though I did enjoy it more at one time in my life. Thank you for this nice reminder that I have even been the bolt. Perhaps that is why he is back to a bit more independence four weeks after his surgery.
CoralLevang wrote on February 14, 2015, 2:33 AM
Thank you for your comment.
CoralLevang wrote on February 14, 2015, 2:36 AM
I smiled as I read this. I have been accused of both courage and stubbornness. ;) I appreciate your reminder of others' reactions and their purpose. Thank you.
CoralLevang wrote on February 14, 2015, 2:37 AM
Oh, thank you so very much. You have no idea of just how much that means to me to have you said that, Barb.
CoralLevang wrote on February 14, 2015, 2:38 AM
Oh, my...Joy and Thunder. I will have to go to YouTube to listen. Thank you.
If we were face-to-face, I would hug you right now. :)
AliCanary wrote on February 14, 2015, 2:53 PM
Right back at ya!
GemOfAGirl wrote on February 14, 2015, 3:33 PM
The name of the song is "Sweetness Follows". The rest of the lyrics are a bit depressing, but that one line has always really stood out for me.
1P.S., I'd hug you back,
midastouch wrote on February 15, 2015, 2:18 AM
You've got yourself a great but thankless job
because millions of people out there want money but they are waiting for the miracle money that will fall into their laps from heaven and which you and I know would never happen
so if you go instigating such persons, you would only be wasting your time
and of course there are quite a few others who really want to be helped to know what to do, if you ever get across to such few persons then your day has been made
CoralLevang wrote on February 15, 2015, 3:16 AM
I was just in a discussion today about how that is true for all "teachers." Rarely, do we ever know how we have made a difference. But I trust that it is so, if not now then one day, when I am dead and gone.
midastouch wrote on February 15, 2015, 9:46 AM
yea
but some are also quite explicit and you would know that without you, this person would not done what he or she did.
I have been blessed to have had that experience many times over