Setting the Soul Free at the DMV
Hi Friend
This past week and the week before, I had to visit the DMV to get a new license and then a new license plate. It was shockingly awesome. I didn't know a DMV experience could be positive. This was beyond that, it was downright enjoyable! I'm not exaggerating. After my first visit, I was looking forward to my next.
Also, this week saw another round of complete edits accomplished on the book. What is interesting is that instead of cutting words, I ended up adding about 7000 more. That feels counterintuitive to the editing process. But I think really what's going on is not so much editing as enhancing. It's still not terribly long, so the additional words are useful. Hopefully one day you'll read it.
Another unexpected surprise at the DMV was that I got a bit emotional. I didn't bust out in tears, but I did find myself sharing with the lady at the counter about how long I had lived in Oklahoma and that changing my driver's license seemed like a significant conclusion. Granted I've lived here for almost a year now, so it's not like a fresh move.
Shedding the old is a process. We don't even realize it's still with us, until we have to fully say goodbye. The shift is unrecognizable. For most of life we are trying to achieve, gain, and get and then out of nowhere the most challenging aspect becomes releasing, surrendering, and letting go.
ENVIRONMENT
I talk about ownership culture and shaping environments all the time. This DMV is in the same building as a public library, and a coffee shop is right outside the waiting room. After I stood in line to get my number and confirm my documents, I had a three hour wait. I didn't even realize I was waiting because I was in the library, then sitting at a table working.
I thought I was supposed to dread going there. I did not. What is something you really don't like to do? Could doing it in a different setting completely change the experience? The excellence of the place and process enabled me to have my emotional moment. Isn't that something? Without having to exert emotions like frustration and disappointment, I was able to access something deeper in the moment.
MINDSHIFT
What if you did an unenjoyable thing in a different space? Could you rearrange a room or office to offer yourself an environment to feel new in?
EXELLENCE
That's what's amazing about excellence. We are so used to average or below average experiences across the board, we don't realize all we're missing out on. Excellence equals less friction. Less friction equals more presence. Being present enables accessing ourselves more accurately. Accuracy of self equals opening up truth. Truth equals freedom.
That's why our souls crave excellence. We feel more alive when we are in the midst of it. Whether a human, a place, a meal, an experience, a product - it resonates with our own internal yearning for purity of heart. It's a gift we give others, when we aspire to create, produce or generate that level of quality.
MINDSHIFT
What if you focused on one area of mediocrity in your life and transformed it into excellence? What would that do for you and others around you?
ALTERATIONS
Have you ever thought one thing and then a person or situation altered it? I expected the DMV to be bad. However I was delightfully surprised by the entire encounter. I legitimately thought "DMV's get a bad rap. This place is wonderful!" I may go hang out there even when I don't have business with them.
That's the beauty of our humanity. Most DMV's may still be yucky, but I found one that completely altered my perception. That's all it takes. Some people think that people are yucky too. When you and I choose to be excellent in our day-to-day interactions, responses and choices, we have the power to completely alter another human's reality. How cool is that?
SHIFTING
I hope this week you determine to be and do excellent in some area of your life. Create your own space and a space for others to encounter an alternative to mediocrity. If the DMV can do it, so can you! #ShiftAway
