The mild odour seemed to come and go. The windows were opened wider, though the waft of fresh air was somewhat stifled by the intricacies of the layout, which was poorly positioned for flow through.
Annoyance, frustration and curiosity wafted in and out as did the odour. Mild became mid-range then strong. Frustration came and went until finally the odour moved up a final notch to outright stench causing a thorough search by unwillingly willing nostrils to uncover the offending object.
As the bag was opened the dusty mould filtered through the air. The steps back with much aghast did little to reveal what the mouldy mass once was.
Level headed clean up completed I tracked back in my memory to the last time I used the old bag. “Deary me! It is that mandarin I used as that seriously meaningful metaphor so many speeches ago. It has taken on a whole new meaning now! What am I, a child who has left fruit in her school bag?”
My first instinct was to throw out the bag. It was expensive to purchase a new one, though smelly it was once a sense of pride and still useful. I painstakingly cleaned and refreshed it, all the while moving between mild self-loathing, disbelief that I had caused myself this angst and mild amusement. Eventually I accepted that I am both grown and yet have some way to go and eventually had a good laugh.
When people grow they are known as adults. Adults are expected to do adult things. They expect to be in control and others expect it of them. So we all put on our adult masks. Being an adult is serious business, but it is when you take yourself too seriously that you trip up and the mask falls off. How embarrassing!
Of course, this is nature’s way of creating change. We often refuse to deal with things until they either explode or rot in a bag somewhere, hidden from view but not from other senses.
Like it or not things change. Growth only happens through change. You can resist it, perhaps throw the bag out and kid yourself that you are now rid of that problem.
Experience tells me though, that most people make the same errors over and over. It is only when you have said enough is enough in acknowledgement that the matter needs attention that you can work through the issue. Once worked through to a resolution it very often magically ceases to matter any more and you can move to the next level of growth.
No growth happens without some suffering, it is the natural way, and it is our resistance to deal with it that causes the angst.
There are mandarins in bags everywhere, best check your bags and attend to the things that will matter if you don’t give them attention.
Whether it be (dare I mention it!) the global economic crisis, an ongoing business issue or a family conflict, summon your best self, decide on the ultimate outcome you desire and work with those concerned to deal with it.
When you need help with this please contact me. It is best you have someone to help that understands the territory. I am still finding the occasional mandarin… metaphorically speaking of course!
Until next time, be brave, emotionally resilient and go with change!
Noelene Dawes
Noelene's new photo by Jon Dawes.
To see Jon's Photographic Portfolio click here
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