Yep! The West Wing! Source of much wisdom and comfort in my universe.
And, yes, I have much of it memorized.
We watch a lot of Jeopardy at our house, too, and the Legendary Husband is often amazed at how many answers to random things I know because of Aaron Sorkin and the gang.
Sometimes, though, I visit The West Wing in my dreams. It happened again this week, in the midst of my homework for the Intentional Creativity® program for wannabe Red Thread Guides.
This bit probably won’t be a surprise for you, either, if you’ve been reading along for a while.
Questions and Context were involved!
The particular project of the moment was an adventure most frequently known as Vision Plan.
I’ve done this one before. Several times. I’ve led others on the journey as well. One of the reasons I love it is because I find new answers, depending on what’s going on in the world and in my heart when I pick up the markers.
First, supplies…
A big sheet of heavy watercolor paper and a basket full of markers. Also, a handy mixed media journal for sorting and organizing.
Eight panels, each with a specific question to ponder. In this case, things like PROJECT & MISSION & COMPASS.
I’ll admit to getting a bit lost in all the possibilities.
Then… the dream.
Season 3. Episode 7 is also known as Isaac & Ishmael.
It was an add-in episode which was the first one that aired after the 9/11 attack on America.
As the story goes, a class of high school political science students were visiting the White House when a terrorist threat left them herded into the mess (aka dining room) until the building could be secured again. And it left the Deputy Chief of Staff, Josh Lyman, in charge of answering questions and warding off panic.
After passing around the go-to White House snack of peanut butter and apples, Josh offered to answer questions.
The conversation turned to terrorism and to extremist politics, especially in the Middle East.
About that time, First Lady Abbey Bartlet wandered in to help.
Like the good grandmother she was, Dr. Bartlet answered a question about terrorism with a story… the biblical story of Isaac & Ishmael.
If you don’t know the story, you might want to look it up. In my opinion, it matters even more now than it did in 2001.
For this moment, let’s skip along to the point where one of the kids asked how to beat the terrorists.
Josh responded this way…
If you want to drive them nuts… to really get them where they live… keep looking at things more than one way. Keep accepting more than one idea!
So, long story short… I realized when I woke from my dream, early Monday morning, that looking at things more than one way was exactly the reminder I needed to make my personal vision plan work for me, in this world, now.
And for my Beloveds… the folks with whom I feel called to work.
As for my homework… the learning is huge! The actual paper and marker outcome is still a work-in-progress, and that feels like a really good thing for living in this world, now.
There’s still a bit of journeying to do between vision and form.
I’m excited! And looking forward to sharing. (You might want to stock up on red thread!)
In the meantime, though, there’s a whole bunch of politics goin’ on in this world. Run-offs. Subpoenas. Court cases. At home and abroad. And in, with, and under it all, Josh Lyman’s voice:
If you want to drive them nuts… to really get them where they live… keep looking at things more than one way. Keep accepting more than one idea!
As long as it takes!
ps… ready for some ideas about what all this might look like in your world? CHECK THIS OUT!
pps… and, just in case you need an intentional, externalized reminder… I’ve got you covered!