I wish you enough

In retrospect

As parents, we have found ourselves more on the sidelines watching from a distance as our three sons continue their journey into adulthood. Yet, we are incredibly grateful for the numerous wise counsels we received through the years as we reflect. Undoubtedly, life is better in communities, especially when the right voices are engaged. Most of these counsels we’ve received inform today’s mentoring and coaching interactions.

Cherish the moments

All of us, and in particular, anyone who is an aspiring or current parent, ward, or caregiver, will find the following insights familiar:

1. It gets better, and time flies
2. Manage the terrible twos, don’t give up, this phase will pass (to be honest, this is the phase we despised the most, it was rough)
3. Treasure the early/elementary years; they go so fast (this is probably the phase where you as parents get to be superheroes enjoy it)
4. Embrace the tension, questioning, and attitudes of teenage years
5. Prepare for the separation as they leave home for life after high school, especially the emotional void that might grow in their absence.
6. And perhaps, most importantly, be present when loved ones, family are together during the holidays. Create memories by making new traditions and reliving old ones. Enjoy the random conversations, listen more, laugh, and spend time together.

By Design

As the year 2021 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect.

We’ve shared laughter, joy, and friendship–and memorable moments along the way. And in this spirit of togetherness, I want to thank you, my readers, coaching clients and business contacts for working with me over the past 12 months.

I am particularly grateful for the ‘community,’ engagement, interactions, insights, questions, and trust. I am excited about our continued partnership and wish you and your loved ones an amazing time to refresh, rejuvenate and reset for the new year.

I wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy & Prosperous New Year.

Story: “I wish you enough.”

If we are willing, and ready, we can make the essence of our lives powerful and impactful.

“Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the daughter’s departure had been announced. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said: “I love you, and I wish you enough.”

The daughter replied, “Mom, our life together has been enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom.”

They kissed, and the daughter left.

The mother walked over to the window where I sat. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?”

“Yes, I have,” I replied. “Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?”

“I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead, and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral,” she said. When you said goodbye, I heard you say, “I wish you enough.” May I ask what that means?”

She began to smile. “That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.” She paused and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. “When we said, ‘I wish you enough,’ we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.”

Then turning toward, me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory.

• I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
• I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
• I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
• I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much more significant.
• I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
• I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
• I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.

She then began to sob and walked away.

My friends, I wish you enough!

Best,
Dr.’ Flo

PS: This is the last issue of the year, 2021, and the first issue of Leadership is not a title will be published Tuesday, January 4th, 2022.

More on Leadership -

1. On Forbes, www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/people/flofalayi
2. On my blog, www.flofalayi.com/blog

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Dr. Flo is a Hybrid leader: American born, British Trained and Nigerian Raised. Client Partner, Organizational Leadership Psychologist, Inclusion Strategist, and Executive Coach @ Korn Ferry | Follow me on Twitter @drflofalayi