Panda Peace
Artist ~ Laura Basha, 2012, acrylic on canvas
The panda is a wonderful teacher for soul development, representing wisdom, peace, diplomacy, and balance. I painted this painting for my granddaughter, Emerson, at her request. She asked me for it over a year ago, and I finally got around to painting it. I have so many paintings to complete for a project I am creating, yet it was bothering me that I hadn't finished this for her since I said I would.
I have been studying new concepts in the field of leadership development, specifically the concept of Integrity, and a new science that is building momentum and gaining credibility in the academic and business fields of leadership.
One of the basic tenants of this new thinking is that the heart of integrity lies in following through on what one has given one's word to. And particularly following through on what one has given one's word to one's self! So, all those commitments to work out, go on a diet, etc., when we don't follow through on keeping those promises we have made to our self, we lose power; Power being the capacity to influence and empower through Being a clear and focused individual, for ones self and others.
When we don't cultivate this capacity for keeping those promises to our self, we diminish our capacity to keep our commitments to others, and what we are left with at best is force, posturing as power.
There are no small things. I completed the painting for my granddaughter, and, as simple as this sounds, the feeling of satisfaction and freedom was equally as fulfilling as being pleased with the end result of the painting. And the result was not just a delighted little girl who received it, but a little girl who trusts that her Nona will do what she says she will do. That's worth everything.
So, how much power, fulfillment, freedom is available through the simple act of keeping our promises to ourselves? Maybe we won't just lose those 5 lbs, maybe we lose the sense of failure and will gain a sense of possibility.
What COULD each of us commit to accomplishing for ourselves, and, keeping that promise, experience the freedom, joy, and possibility inherent in authentic power?
Panda is a wonderful teacher for soul development.
