April, 2008
In Praise of Gauchos and Other Unreasonable men
I’m just back.
I’m home from chasing hundreds cows across miles of Uruguayan pampa. Grass and flowers, the “Yeee-kero-kero!’ of the gauchos herding call, the yipping of the cattle dogs have filled my senses. After forty miles in the saddle I have been so beaten that my legs buckled as I dismounted. Desperately, I clutched my stirrups so as to not collapse to the ground.
Feeling like Lawrence of Arabia, I have guided my powerful steed over mountains of sand dunes till we arrived at the sparkling ocean. My horse’s hooves splashed in the sea foam as we traversed vast stretches of empty beach.
I have feasted on the generosity of country people, eating their sheep meat and drinking their deep red wine, laughing until I could no longer harbor a doubt that life is a gift, a huge banquet of joy all are invited to attend.
Friends and colleagues ask how could I take time off from my speaking calendar in this busiest of all seasons, especially with such economic uncertainty looming?
The real question, how could I not?
It was Stephen Meyers my long-time expedition buddy who both proposed the ideas and overcame my initial knee-jerk negative response. “Are you a speaker who adventures or an adventurer who speaks?” Stephen asked. “Who are you?”
And, dear amigo, I now ask you the same: Who are you?
I had to laugh when Stephen tossed the question my way. I deserved it. I have often begun my Adventure of Change keynote with this exact question. I want to remind audience members how much more they are than their job descriptions and that successful organizations are composed of individuals whose self-awareness runs deep.
Years have taught me that success over time belongs to those who have discovered a simple secret: we are all adventurous spirits in search of a life of purpose and passion. Our allegiance is rightfully and organically to things that truly move us. Once connected to the source, delight and energy fill us. We are unstoppable.
The Adventure of Change, my most requested keynote, reminds audiences that every now and again we all need to flex our imagination and adventure muscles to find the passion that thrilled and got us going
in the first place.
|
Einstein said, "Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them”. Nor a can a life of unusual success be found at the level at which the average person lives. To tap the unique genius that resides within each of us requires that each of us resolve to take unusual measures, live interesting lives that transcend the quotidian mundanities of home and work. When it most feels like we cannot afford to take the time is precisely when can least afford not to.
Returning from “Jeff’s Most Excellent Uruguayan Gaucho Holiday”, I am revitalized. I hum with joy reignited with excitement renewed for the work at hand. I have fire within. I have what it takes to make of my life a grand adventure. And I’m doing it. We all can.
Though heading off to chase longhorns across the pampas of South America may not be for you, we all need a little appropriate adventure from time to time in order to prime the pump. To find yours, ask your self this: What favorite - but oft-postponed activity - demands “all of my courage, all of my health, all of my happiness”?
A hint… Look back to the primary experience that set you on your current path, gave you the inspiration that’s gotten you this far. Maybe it’s time to push back from the desk and seek again whatever it was that once filled you with gusto and made you remember how good it is to be alive.
How do you know you’ve found it?
It is the moment you look up at the sky and say:
This is who I am.
Enjoy!
Jeff Salz
|
