Today I’m writing from a small hotel room right on the boundary of the Kimberley Big Hole, which is in The northern Cape of South Africa. If you’ve never heard of that, I encourage you to google the fascinating history of the diamond rush that happened in South Africa from 1871 to 1914.
The facts state that it’s the largest man-made, hand-dug structure in the world. Today it stands 463 meters wide with a surface area of 17 hectares, excavated to a depth of 240 meters. The depth was subsequently infilled with debris, so now has a depth of 215 meters, 40% of the Hole is now covered by water.
But it’s not the facts that I love to know, it’s the stories around events that I find most fascinating. The human stories that are told for generations about ancestors desperately digging to find their wealth and many did. In fact, one of the largest mining companies that evolved out of the diamond rush was the De Beers Mining Group established during that time and still operational today.
I love to imagine some normal man, uncovering what looked like a diamond and rushing to have it valued only to find that it wasn’t a diamond but a worthless stone with no value at all. I’m imagining the disappointment at wasted efforts and hopes dashed at the thought of instant wealth no longer apparent.
What I’ve come to see in my years as a life coach is that the idea of instant gratification is still prevalent and even more so today. The idea that there is some magic formula that can instantly give one wealth and happiness that keeps people attempting to find shortcuts to the life of their dreams.
Without getting into the whole ‘hard work pays off’ and ‘if it is to be it’s up to me’ way of thinking, what I know for sure is that without some effort no amount of wishing will create any form of wealth or happiness. But the effort I am referring to doesn’t come from desperation or endless seeking, it comes from a depth of understanding that “what is meant for me, can never miss me!”
That statement came from one of our Mindfit Coachees, Erin Dickson. Just two weeks ago, on the first 3-day Intensive training on the Mindfit Coaching Academy program, Erin came up with this gem and it describes the program and the 3 principles of Mind, Consciousness, and Thought that the program is based on, perfectly.
I have included Erin’s reflections on how the program has impacted her and perhaps you will take away something from her story. Amazingly, with less on your mind about how you can create some instant wealth or make a quick buck, what happens is something wonderful. You calmly go about your life, trusting that life is happening for you, enjoying the moments, and one day you wake up and realize that you can never be disappointed if you expect nothing and appreciate everything. It’s a journey, not always easy but always an adventure.
In the words of Helen Keller ~ “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
All my love
Sharon
