Success Shines Through

Last week, I made my long-awaited visit to Beijing, China. I've traveled pretty extensively in my day, and I have to say that Beijing is one of the most unique cities I've ever visited. The city is home to 18 million people, and it spreads out across six rings that emanate from its center. One thing that really surprised me about Beijing was the sheer size of everything. The main streets around Tiananmen Square and downtown were exceptionally wide. The buildings - government buildings, hotels, office buildings, and such - were enormous. Heck, even the restaurants are big. Private dining rooms and massive open seating areas flowed from floor to floor in some restaurants. (Apparently, it takes quite a bit of space to feed 18 million of your closest friends at lunchtime.)

Another notable characteristic of Beijing is its juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern world. Historical sites such as the Temple of Heaven (which opened for business in 1420 A.D.) stand proudly next to some of the most modern skyscrapers in the world. If you're interested in the old world, stop by the Forbidden City or the emperor's Summer Palace. If you want to see modern Beijing, head over to the CBD. (Otherwise known as the Central Business District.)

While there's certainly lots to love about Beijing, the city is unfortunately playing host to a rather unwanted guest: smog. Most days of the year, a thick haze hangs over the city. China is burning an eye-popping amount of coal to power its unprecedented expansion, and there are more than a million cars on the roads of Beijing. All of those individual emissions add up to a big smog problem. When I went to check the weather on my first day of my visit, the report came back "Smoke and 15 degrees Celsius". I had to rub my eyes. Did that say "Smoke"? (That wasn't the last time I'd rub my eyes in Beijing.)

So here we have a beautiful and fascinating city on the ground and a thick blanket of haze just above the city. You can't see the tops of most of the tall buildings, but if you could keep rising up and up, you'd find what you'd expect to find. Blue skies, a shining sun, and tremendous warmth and light. There is city and there is sun, but thanks to the smog, never the twain shall meet.

As I rode through the artificially darkened city streets, I pondered on how the smoky situation in Beijing reminds me of the life situation many of us face.

To help explain this, please join me in a quick visualization exercise. In this exercise, you'll be playing the part of the city. (Now, don't ask me what your motivation should be. You're not on Broadway, this is just a quick demonstration - play along.) So, like I was saying, you're the city. And just like the city of Beijing, you are a unique mix of character, wonder, and possibilities. You may not be home to 18 million Chinese people (otherwise, I'd hate to see your water bill), but you are a complicated and beautiful mix of your personal history and more modern experiences. You are vibrant and alive.

If you turn your attention way up high in the sky, you can start to see a deep blue sky filled brightly with a warm and brillliant sun. In this exercise, of course, these images represent your goals, your vision, your dreams, and your purpose in life - all of the good stuff that makes up your true potential. Up here, things are peaceful and motivating and powerful all rolled up into one.

Unfortunately, the exercise doesn't stop there. There's smog in your world, as well. Here, smog relates to fears, doubt, frustrations, envy, and other things which hold you back. The smog is your negative beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. This mental and emotional smog separates you (the city) from your true potential and your dreams (sun and sky). Its presence doesn't diminish the city or the sun in and of themselves, but as it lingers, the two remain separate. (Which pretty much sucks.)

We need to draw our attention to the smog that exists in our lives and that is preventing us from fully basking in the glow of our dreams and our goals. As an unexamined force, the smog of negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can feel as impenetrable as steel. Yet when we examine these more closely, each negative can be seen as unnecessary and not worthy of the power that we give it. Each can be dispelled through our conscientious awareness, our willingness to seek support, and by our making a change in our worldview.

So there you have it - smog sucks and it needs to go. If you're planning a trip to Beijing for the Summer Olympics this year, you may be pleased to note that steps are being taken to address the smog problem. First, the government will restrict the number of cars that are allowed to drive in the city on any given day using a clever even/odd date assignment for each vehicle. Also, there's some talk of reducing a bit of the factory production in the weeks leading up to the Olympic games. Hopefully, further steps will be taken to address the smog once-and-for-all so that the light of the sun can shine down on the wonderful city of Beijing and its populace below.

If one of the largest cities in China can take steps to minimize the negative effects of smog, can't we do the same in our lives and goal pursuits?

Let's prove that we can.

KAED

Related Links

NASA on Beijing Smog
2008 Beijing Olympics
Shall the twain ever meet?

Quotes of the Week

"The men who build the future are those who know that greater things are yet to come, and that they themselves will help bring them about. Their minds are illuminated by the blazing sun of hope. They never stop to doubt. They haven't time."
- Melvin Evans

[Ed. note: If Melvin Evans hadn't been born in 1917, I'm sure he would've been happy to acknowledge the many women who also build the future. Thanks, mom!]

Coaching Quickie:

Check back next week for results!

Last Week's Results

Coaching Quickie: Role Playing
What level are you on your path to success?

(00%) 1 -3 : beginners only
(83%) 4 - 6 : making good progress
(17%) 7 -9 - becoming a true hero
(00%) 10 and up - ready to tackle anyone and anything

If you missed it, you can read last week's newsletter online here.