Daryl Wood's Blog

“The space for what you want is already filled with what you settled for instead.”  Richard Bach

I had started this post before this quote came across my desk and it fits perfectly with my thoughts. I love quotes. I love the impact of a short, direct statement. Sometimes they carry a lot of weight and this one surely does.

The past few weeks I’ve been asking myself why I do the things I do. The question that comes up is “For the sake of what?” Why am I taking action? Why am I procrastinating? Why am I joining in and why am I distancing myself? Why am I saying yes and why am I saying no? What’s the outcome I expect? What am I hoping for, wanting to have happen? What do I imagine is the ripple effect or am I just trying to appease an “in the moment” impulse?

Now, more than ever, with this new landscape of my life I am asking this question – for the sake of what? Sometimes the answer is swift and resonant – specifically for my coaching and retreats. I love this work which never seems like work. I am passionate about witnessing, supporting and creating opportunities for people to change what doesn’t work in their lives. I believe so deeply in personal empowerment.

It’s not so much that I will eliminate things from my life because I might … and I might not. What I am more certain of is that by asking the “for the sake of what” question I bring out the truth behind my actions. I open my heart and mind to the underlying energy that I live with.

When I ask “for the sake of what” I know when I’m settling. It is obvious. And maybe I will do something “for the sake of” avoiding conflict, pain or discomfort. Or I might not speak up or react “for the sake of” keeping the peace. But one thing is for sure, when I ask “for the sake of what” I can never say I acted unconsciously. Because I’ll know.