NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER
for Mindfulness!
by JOHNNY TAN
Happy October, everyone! The yearly Harvest Full Moon always reminds me of what my mom, Nyah, taught me when I was a teenager about the different seasons we go through in life. Besides her, my other moms also share their nuggets of wisdom about how autumn is a magical season for mindfulness.
Growing up in the rice fields of Melaka, Malaysia, Nyah enjoys using farming analogies whenever she wants to share her message in a fun, storytelling, and entertaining way. Starting from a farming perspective, she said, "We have the plowing season, the planting season, the watering season, and the harvesting season. How well we plow the land will determine the type of crop we can plant on it, and how well we water the crop will determine the size and bountifulness of the harvest."
Her idea of mindfulness is focusing on the present moment. She emphasizes that each year, we naturally go through different seasons of life. How well we prepare internally influences the goals and desires we pursue, and how we pursue them determines our success. Recognizing that unexpected challenges will always arise during the seasons of plowing, planting, and watering helps us make informed decisions. These choices will definitely impact the outcome of the harvest.
Timing is everything. When we adopt this approach, it enables us to make the right move at the right time, ensuring predictable success. Our ability to look beyond today and seize the present moment can turn every setback into a turning point for a remarkable comeback. Nyah continued by saying, "When we pay attention to the small voices within us and rise to act at the right time, and when each task becomes a labor of love performed with creativity, then we are seizing the opportunity to propel ourselves to the next level of excellence."
Speaking of storytelling, I recall using an autumn analogy early in my career as a young Chief Operating Officer to convey my message of alignment during a quarterly corporate meeting attended by 35 middle and upper management members. As a storyteller, my presentations have always been expressive. I use everyday, relatable anecdotes whenever possible to create engaging visuals that help others imagine what I'm describing, ensuring the call to action leaves a lasting impression on everyone.
Needless to say, during this presentation I explained how even trees know when to radically shed their dead leaves in the fall to prepare for the upcoming winter hibernation. I asked everyone to imagine themselves as a tree and that it is okay to shake off their branches to remove all the dead leaves as they get ready for the seasonal changes. Like trees, we need to intentionally reflect on what has worked and what hasn't in our lives. Afterwards, we must be brave enough to make decisions and release the things that no longer positively impact and contribute to our personal well-being and success.
The tree visualization concept was well received; however, soon after, I was nicknamed "Shake The Tree" Tan! At first, I was a little flustered, but I decided to go with the flow and make the most of this newfound magical moment. I thoughtfully took it for a spin! I introduced the name in several future speaking events I hosted and where I was invited to speak. The result was fascinating; I felt more confident and empowered. My quiet bubble of confidence expanded as people appreciated my unique style of delivering a much-needed "quarterly assessment" exercise that every individual and company needs to grow effectively!
Another insightful analogy about the different seasons we experience in life that I often share is one my Spiritual Progressive Mom, Elsa Mae, taught me. She told me to pay attention to the people who come and go in our lives. Sometimes being mindful will reveal that they are there for a season or a reason. Some people stay with us only for a short time, while others are there for a season, and a few for a lifetime.
For those who come for a short stay, it is usually to fulfill our immediate needs. They come to provide support, fellowship, and guidance to help us overcome our current life challenges and crises. When our prayers are answered, we see their arrival as a blessing from God. However their presence is brief. Once our needs are met and their purpose is no longer needed, their departure is just as sudden as their arrival. We should be grateful for this brief encounter and be ready to move on.
Next are the people who come into our lives for a season. Spending time with them brings joy, peace, and laughter into our lives, creating meaningful and exciting experiences. Although their presence introduces us to something new and different, these moments of sharing, growth, and learning are only temporary.
Finally, some people come into our lives to teach us lifelong lessons. Embracing these meaningful relationships and their endless wisdom enriches every part of our lives. The lessons we learn help build strong foundations for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being that last a lifetime.
Elsa Mae concluded by saying, "Like the plants and vegetation around us, some are annuals, some are perennials. Cherish the beautiful memories of the annuals, but celebrate the hard work of the perennials, for they are the beauty that withstands the test of time and seasons! Treasure the people and circumstances that have contributed to your happiness and success, and let go of the rest!"
Over the years, as I reflect on the magical season of mindfulness, I have learned that;
- Wisdom is about knowing others;
- Enlightenment is about knowing ourselves.
- Love fosters selflessness, whereas Fear breeds anger.
- All contentious situations should always end with peace rather than anger.
- Respect arises from showing Grace, not from displaying Power.
- Success is about knowing who you are, not about knowing your competition.
- Delay is not denial; it is an opportunity for refinement.
I appreciate our expert contributors for sharing their inspiring mindfulness journeys in this edition. I hope the insights and wisdom from their stories will deepen your magical season of mindfulness.
With gratitude and blessings always! Johnny
