Managing lifes “curve balls”
Have you ever been poised to deliver an amazing event and then at the very last minute been thrown a curve ball?
I have!
The best laid plans and the magic of unplanned moments
There is a saying that goes, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” and sometimes that is exactly what happens. You plan for the perfect event, every detail carefully considered, only for life to toss in a curve ball. And yet, sometimes, it is in those moments when things do not go to plan that the most magical things unfold. It is like the universe has a way of showing you that not everything needs to be perfectly orchestrated to be perfectly meaningful.
This was certainly the case during the RECONNECTION Event, which was supposed to be a chance to connect deeply to ancestors, rediscover lost connections, and feel a sense of where we in the web of all life through deep ecology practices and breathwork.
The Set-Up: A picture-perfect plan
The lead up was smooth and we felt the energy building towards being in community and holding a transformative space for the participants. The event was booked out; my facilitating partner and I were ready and poised to support people to land into a space that was powerful and nurturing. Our purpose was clear.
At the venue we had the space created and could feel the energy emanating already, participants were turning up ready and eager. Everything was perfect and going to plan.
The curve ball
As we started to welcome people, things hit an unexpected roadblock. Other people were arriving who were not on the guest list and they had looks of consternation on their faces.There was feeling of confusion followed by realisation, followed by that sinking feeling of “Oh no!”.
In that moment of silence when time seems to stop still, we all realised that the space had been double booked!
That dreaded “What! Oh shite! What do we do now?” moment when things can either get way out of hand or there is an amicable solution.
The Impasse: When two parties reach a stalemate
There was a moment in our discussions with the other party that I realised they were not going to budge.
Both parties had rational and equally reasonable reasons for being there, and I could feel the helplessness and the emotional distance grow between us as we continued to collectively ruminate over our “right to be there”. Things were not heading to a solution. We had reached an impasse.
What happened next?
We could have pushed for resolution, force things to be “fixed,” and demand that things go according to plan, especially because we had already set up and we ready for the day. A case of “first in best dressed”.
For us that was not the right choice. I could feel the energy going in a direction that was not conducive to what we were creating for the day.
So we chose to step back.
Sometimes, knowing when to step back is just as important as knowing when to stand your ground.
Taking the higher ground: The power of letting go
This was when the real magic happened. Rather than pushing, we chose to take the higher ground. We chose not to argue, not to escalate, instead to let it go, to acknowledge that a mistake had been made and someone had to concede.
There is a certain power in surrender, in allowing things to unfold organically. It is like trying to hold water in your hand: the harder you grip, the faster it slips away. But when you loosen your hold, the water stays with you, flowing naturally and freely. Sometimes, stepping back is not about giving up – it is about making room for something better to come in.
In that space of letting go, something surprising happened. The air shifted. The tension melted. And just like that, there was a spark – we walked outside and explained to our guests what was happening, that unfortunately we had to cancel the event. The love and understanding that came from them was palpable. My heart felt humbled and grateful and peaceful.
The magic of unplanned moments
And then, there was the magic. It wasn’t the magical moment we had envisioned in the planning stages; it was something equally authentic. The invitation was to reconvene with those that wanted to join us at the local coffee shop to connect anyway and chat. What we experienced was an ease, a flow of unexpected conversations and sharing of experiences of being connected to nature, our ancestors and the greater field of energy.
For a few hours, we sat in community anyway, the birds flying in to be with us, the breeze conversing and singing through the trees, the clouds drifting by against a brilliant blue sky. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to share the amazing program we had planned, we created the essence of the day anyway.
Sometimes, when you let go of the need for everything to go perfectly, the universe responds with something even more profound. It might not be what you expected, and it is exactly what you needed.
Lessons Learned
- Blaming does not arrive at a solution. Getting bogged down with the “what went wrong” blame game does not solve the issue at hand. Especially when there is a potential for emotions to escalate. It is best to focus on “what do we do now that is a win win for all?” The analysis of the root cause and how to mitigate it in the future can happen later.
- Plans are just a starting point. The beauty of life is in the unpredictability. The plans you make may set the stage, and it is the unexpected twists and turns that often create the most memorable moments.
- When two parties reach an impasse, it is not always about being right. Sometimes, it is about recognising that resolution does not always happen immediately. Letting go of the need to “fix” or “be right” can open the door to healing in its own time.
- Taking the higher ground does not mean backing down – it means knowing when to step back. It is easy to get caught in the heat of the moment, and true strength often comes from knowing when to pause, breathe, and allow things to unfold.
- When you stay calm and open your heart to the other life has a way of balancing out. The gift of ease and grace that comes from staying in your heart brings about internal peace.
- Magic is found in the most unplanned moments. The best moments in life often are not those we carefully design, it is those we stumble upon when we least expect them.
- Triple check the venue booking 😊
As a result, the Reconnection Event did not go ahead that day. It was not the picture-perfect day I had originally envisioned. In some ways, it was just as powerful. It was real. It was messy. And it was magical. And that is a reminder that sometimes, even when things do not go to plan, something beautiful is always waiting just around the corner.
A big thank you for the graciousness of the RECONNECTION participants for their understanding and willingness to connect in a different way.
To be rescheduled: RECONNECTION: A One-Day Journey into Deep Ecology, Breathwork & the Council of All Beings
Connect with me:
@breathe_andbe_you
@woman_on_country
