Ask Dieter November 2013

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This month’s question from my portal Ask Dieter: Directions for living a meaningful Life comes from Peter in New York, USA.

What can I do, right now, that would be the most powerful use of this moment?

Hi Peter!

Thank you very much for your question!

Billy Joel was speaking at Vanderbilt University when a young student, Michael Pollack, raised his hand. When Joel called on him, Michael asked if he could play the piano to accompany the musician for a song. A silence followed. Michael had taken a big risk just by asking and you could feel the tension and suspense in the room. After a pause, Joel said “OK” and the video of their astounding spontaneous collaboration has now been viewed over 2.5 million times.

How often have you been in a similar situation, at one time or another, wanting to say something or do something, yet letting the moment pass by? Next time you’re in that situation, pay attention to it. Notice the feelings that come along with it. Observe the physical sensations in your body. Can you feel your heart beating? Can you connect with the conflicting urges to act and not to? Getting in touch with those feelings is the first step to acting in the face of them.

Your greatest opportunity is to use your time to take risks that will shake things up.

So, what can you do, right now, that would be the most powerful use of this moment?

Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any follow-up question!
Smile, breathe, and go slowly!
With kind regards
  Dieter Langenecker
   Dieter Langenecker

“Being myself includes taking risks with myself, taking risks on new behavior, trying new ways of being myself, so that I can see how it is I want to be.”

 

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