Embracing It
Em•brace verb \im-ˈbrās\: to hold someone in your arms as a way of expressing love or friendship : to accept (something or someone) readily or gladly : to use (an opportunity) eagerly
I moved to Chicago in early December of 2014, drawn by the opportunity to once again take on a leadership role in an industry I haven’t been. What can I say, I am a glutton for “challenges”.
This was, of course, after I’ve spent the last year and a half building an independent work/life coaching practice and have expanded my teaching repertoire, drawing great satisfaction from this work. I actually felt I was getting close to my “true calling”… but then, I got this other call…
Chicago is known for many wonderful things – a city thriving in art and culture, friendly and sincere people, fine restaurants and shops, interesting and welcoming. It is also known for its frigid weather. (Side bar: I’ve just learned that Chicago is nicknamed “Windy City” not for its weather but for its blow-hard politicians. Really).
My first couple of weeks was defined by the usual on-boarding activities: introductions, meets-and-greets, and – Chicago welcomed me with what felt was unseasonably warm weather. I loved walking to and from work; I loved the city lights and thought how Michigan Ave was prettier than I remembered. I started to compare it with the other city I’m much more familiar with – New York – and thought – gee, New York could be exhausting while Chicago feels so much more manageable; people are much more amiable and friendly; and clearly, it looks cleaner! And, even the weather is not bad! I’m good with this! I knew the honeymoon was over when, coming back from the holiday break post-New Year, my flight back to Chicago was cancelled.
I arrived the following day and as I stood outside O’Hare to hail a cab, I felt what seemed like a splash of sub-zero wind on my face. It was biting and raw, sending chills right through my bones. OK. My honeymoon with Chicago is over.
The following day was predicted to hit -12 with -20 wind chill factor. I woke up and thought, no problem, I’m taking a cab. And then, as I started to bundle up and call for a cab, it occurred to me, I have to embrace this! Not sure why I thought of the word embrace, but there it was, and as I shuffled through the chilly wind, I felt an overwhelming release from the fear and anxiety over this strangely bitter cold conditions that I’ll be living with, in short order.
In my work as a practicing leader and a work/life coach, I’ve often referred to accountability in terms of ownership. “Own” the organization’s vision… “Own” the leader’s strategy… “Own” the boss’s goals. Really? As we all know it, more often than not, it is quite difficult to develop a sense of ownership for something that has been externally thrust to you.
Whereas embracing offers the context and sense of active acceptance, a conscious choice, an intentional decision, without hesitation and, perhaps with even some amount of eagerness!
And, perhaps, this is what makes it almost liberating. When I decided to embrace this, Chicago’s infamous frigid weather, I figured out how to deal with it effectively. Layers of clothing, hardy footwear, minimum skin exposure. I anticipated that I may have to navigate through potentially icy streets, so I chose my paths carefully. Don’t get me wrong – I pay attention to weather reports and will succumb to taking a ride (or not venture out) if the predictions are close to dangerous. But by not “wimping out” at the first opportunity to do so, I feel I’ve proven to myself that I can handle this. I can walk through this, and I will be OK.
Come to think of what I have to embrace in this, my new life, the weather is just the tip of the iceberg (no pun intended). Living alone in a city, working in a new environment, discovering new places, faces and things. As I shuffled back to my apartment one very cold night after work, I couldn’t help but asking myself, “why am I doing this?” I guess because at the core of my being is this belief that I am being led to my purpose, towards becoming someone that I’ve meant to be – and this belief, I have truly embraced.
“Not the glittering weapon fights the fight”, says the proverb, “but rather the hero’s heart”.
