​Why CONSIDER BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN

​Dear Why Team member,

Have you heard of Recency Bias?

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​It's the expectation that your next moment, next day, next bet will end up being exactly as what you've experienced lately. If you've had a recent struggle, it's more likely to expect continued struggle, even on the flipping of a coin, remember the saying: "When it rains, it pours"? But every Ying has a bit of Yang and vice versa, and just as you know, there are two sides to every coin. One side does not come without the other, and it has been my experience, that the denial of one can limit the possibilities of the other. 

My life coach made it a point to share early-on his teaching that the steps I took (or didn't take) to limit potential pain were also steps that were limiting joy and the full experience of life. Counting it all as a blessing is quite difficult when we are so conditioned to avoid pain. My experience, however, has been that the high that follows the crushing low is to experience a joy that is absolutely insane - it really is the upside of pain - that one cannot be fully experienced without the other. With this full-on awareness, it's my belief that there is not a danger we won't willingly face. By no means was my coach suggesting I go looking for pain, but was rather pointing out the upside of peril, to give me a higher confidence on exploring life; for authoring a more exciting story of my life.

Falling is part of walking. The fear of not being able to get up can keep us from taking the risk of falling down. 
If we didn't risk falling down, we would never have learned to walk. 
What learning lies in your future if you but dare to take more courageous steps toward it? Embrace the fall and all that it has to teach; it is in the getting up that we gain greater confidence, achievement, and potential. It is within the fire that our hearts and minds are forged for the joy that lies ahead. When needed, walk into the fire, feel the heat, and let it burn away your lies that limit. 

I once heard that leisure is only really enjoyed by those who have exhausted themselves in the effort. Can we not celebrate both sides of the coin? Could we really enjoy a sunny day if there were no cloudy days? Do we not enjoy the morning all the more as the night gives way to the light? 

Four years ago, I passed through the darkest season of my life; it was very hard for me to get up and try to walk again, yet, as time passed, I realized I suffered from recency bias and had to remember the other side of the coin, had to find the strength to get up and walk again. Unknown support and capabilities came to bear that would never have entered my consciousness had I not been aflame. Family, friends, colleagues, care, love, and support all came to me that I could not have foreseen. 

Life can change on a dime; remember its two sides and know that not only will you be fine, you will likely become all the more through the experience.

Flip your coin and let come what may, for you will certainly grow if you but embrace each and every day. 
(Of course, this is true, it rhymes)

Life is all the more precious because we die. Deny the reality of death, and we limit our appreciation of life. Invite adversity to bring to you what only adversity can reveal; know the light in a way that only the dark could make possible.

All is well, and all will be well.
Adversity? Challenge? 
Falling down? The unknown? 
Bring it on!!

Make it a great week,

Steve Luckenbach 

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