The Leak Detector

“I just listen so I can hear the path of least resistance.”

-       Sean Janke

The Leak Detector

I looked out the window again!  The sight was more than I could take.  I should have been seeing strong streams of water refreshing the plants in my yard.  There was no stream to be seen.  I could only see dribbling!

Dribbling is fine if you’re playing basketball.  It isn’t productive at all when trying to deliver life saving water to large areas of landscape.  I had spent more than one week trying to figure where my irrigation system was being robbed and it was the first time in more than two decades I’d failed to identify the leak!  My frustration was so excruciating that I decided to try the impossible, seek help from a long distance.

As you know, searching for an irrigation leak from long distance isn’t a common sense solution.  I knew it too!  And, I began to search for a telephone number for Sean Janke, “The Leak Detector” anyway.

I had heard rave reviews about Sean while listening to a national radio program.  He lives and works in the Dallas, Texas area.  I searched for his phone number and as I touched it, on my screen, I remember thinking to myself, “There is no way he’ll call me back!”  I left a voice mail message for him anyway.

The next day I watched a Texas based area code flash on my caller I.D.   It was Sean!

We both knew his ability to help was limited because of his distance from the problem.  And, he was happy to spend time with me talking through my problem to see how he could help.

“Water always follows the path of least resistance.”  Sean said.  “That’s why I search for leaks by listening.”

After we talked for a few more minutes, engaged in problem solving conversation he said, “Sorry I’m so far away!  Let me know what you find out.”

My search to find the leak through Sean’s listening method started at my first valve box.  I removed the lid, knelt down with my ear over the opening and listened.  I could hear water rushing.  I went to the next valve box and listened.  More water rushing!  When I had repeated this action fourteen times I was rewarded!

I found a leak in the main line at zone fifteen!  It was hidden deep in the ground at a junction.  I hadn’t been able to see any symptoms visually before.  Yet, with senses newly attuned, it was so obvious.

Sean’s technique had worked! And, following Sean’s practice of listening to the sound of the path of least resistance can become a revealing tool for you and me to use to make corrections in more than just our irrigation systems.  We can use it in all areas of our lives.

Unhappiness and frustration are the result of leaks on our time and in our choices.  Leaks take a toll on us both mentally and physically.  If we can stop leaks, our efforts can focus on what we really want to accomplish.  We can open a new, directed path of least resistance by following Sean’s simple steps.

First, understand your purpose.  Take the time to listen to what your heart tells you.  That’s the only way to know what you really want to be doing with your life.

Second, take deliberate action to listen for leaks draining energy away from your desired purpose.

Third, plug the leaks.

I closed the leak in my irrigation system by following Sean’s steps.  Now I was sitting on my front porch calmly.  My sprinklers were able to use newly found pressure to spread life-giving water over my landscaping.  It took time and effort for me to implement each step and it was worth the result!

Now I’m listening for other kinds of leaks, so I can use Sean’s steps to improve other areas of my life.  Will you follow the path of least resistance to success?

The Path of the Steer

Steers who allow their curiosity and courage to move them forward

The Path of the Steer

I walked toward the back of the east pasture looking at the feed as I made my way to fill the watering trough.  The grass had become spotty and for the first time I could see walking trails that had been covered by tall, waving grass.  They were clues telling me it was time to move the animals to the lush green pasture to the west.

I then followed the sun, west to my home.

“Looks as if its time to move the animals.”  I said to my wife.  “I’ll get them moved tomorrow.”

Early the next morning I walked my usual path for exercise and then finished by walking up to water the stock.  I filled the trough, followed an overgrown trail to the gate leading to the west pasture, and then walked home through that pasture.

“I thought you were going to move the cows?” Sue queried as I walked in the door.

“I opened the gate.  Don’t worry, they’ll find their way over soon!”  I answered.

This thought, unknowingly opened another gate.  It was a small, and important, thought about the mental maps each of us creates within our mind after a crisis or adversity.  You know the kind of map, with trail after trail circling around where you’re stuck, feeling the pain without making personal change. Then there is another mental trail that leads you to a far worse place after the adversity strike.  The path that leads to continued fear, challenge, hopelessness and depression.  And, there is one other path, a path that is hard to discover for most of us. 

This path, the path of the steer, is the only path that leads us from failure or setback to a new pasture where we emerge even stronger and more capable than before the adversity.  Yes.  There are times when this path can’t be seen because of all the tall, waving grass.  It’s overgrown so we can have a hard time seeing it!  Yet it is often the most positive, productive one.

“In fact, when we feel helpless and hopeless, we often stop believing such a path even exists – so we don’t even bother to look for it.  But this is the very path we should be looking for, because our ability to find this path is the difference between those who are crippled by failure and those who rise above it.” My friend Shawn Achor once said to me.

The next morning as I got up to begin my walk with the sun, I allowed my eyes to scan the west pasture to see if my steers had lived up to the faith I had in them.  And yes, through the mountain-topped filtered light I could see the black fur outlines munching on fresh grass.

“I need to be more like my cows!” I said to myself as I began my walk.

Walking and thinking reminded me of what Jim Collins, author of Good to Great has written, “We are not imprisoned by our circumstances, our setbacks, our history, our mistakes, or even staggering defeats along the way.  We are freed by our choices.”

You and I can choose to move forward, on our way, by following path of the steer.  When adversity calls, the grass is spotty and our minds are offering trails of discouragement or an endless circle of staying in the same place, we can be freed by our curiosity and courage to follow the trail leading forward to a pasture with more opportunity and freedom.  By doing so we’ll give ourselves the greatest power possible: A fullness of joy, not despite of adversity or crisis, but because of them!

The Universal Benefit Pattern

“Why would you take the benefit of an increase in salary and turn it into a detriment?”

 - Brook Hales

The Universal Benefit Pattern

I was participating in a routine meeting when one statement changed everything.

“Why would you take the benefit of an increase in salary and turn it into a detriment?” Brook Hales asked.

His simple question began to turn over and over in my head.  And, I had no way of knowing how it would become a guide and muse for my life within the coming years.  It has affected me in every area of my life and regularly causes me to ask, “Am I using my money, time and experience for beneficial use?  Am I seeing and following the Universal Benefit Pattern?”

I call it the Universal Benefit Pattern because it is the way our universe functions as well as a pattern of living.  Using it as a guiding philosophy will result a more peaceful and optimistic life.  Stated simply as a question it is:  How can I use this experience to benefit me?

This question is powerful when asked on a regular basis.  And, I’ve found it most enlightening during times of stress and trouble.  Using this question during, as well as throughout the aftermath of, the economic chaos that began ten years ago completely changed my view of life and its purpose.

Asking the Universal Benefit Pattern Question during severe stress reveals the universe as a place of perfect order and everything that happens here serves and educates you and me. There is purpose and meaning in everything and everything happens for you and me, not to you and me.

Accepting this new belief option by choosing to believe that every experience is in your life for a reason, and the purpose is always to benefit you, even though it’s still very hard, completely changes the experience.  At the very least, it changes what you’re looking for.

What have you been focusing on during the past then years?  What lessons have you learned?  How have those lessons changed you?  How have you benefited?

Seeing challenge and change as a pattern can be tricky because most are naturally and easily focused on fighting against struggle and instability.  Knowing that this is a beneficial universal pattern, that you can choose to see and follow, will naturally allow you to focus on the benefits and not the struggle. 

When I say naturally, I mean that it will begin to give you an “ah-ha” moment.  It will still take a lot of practice before it becomes a powerful routine. 

Yes.  There is power in routine!  I was in a routine, “just another meeting,” when Brook Hales opened my mind to the power of the Universal Benefit Pattern!

Could to open a path for you?

The Duality of Goodness

“I just really like it!” – Madeline Bracken

The Duality of Goodness

“I’m really tired of living in an apartment!”  He said to me as we were leaving the home he and his wife had made an offer to purchase.  “She isn’t.  She likes it!”

“What is it you like about it?” I asked her as I turned my head slightly to warmly acknowledge her.

“I like having all of the people around.”  Madeline said, before continuing.  “There are five kids that come over just about every day.  We spend time playing and cooking together. It’s really great for our daughter to have so many friends around.  I just really like it!”

We had been together for a couple of days walking through house after house, interacting around their likes and dislikes.  So, Madeline’s response didn’t surprise me at all!

I turned my head toward her again and said, “I think you’d feel the same no matter where you live!”

I watched this extraordinary person examine each property we explored.  I listened to her compare it to the place in which they currently live.  As a result, I know there are attributes in other homes she’d enjoy, that would make their lives together a little easier.  And, she’s developed the ability to live joyfully with what she has and whom she’s with, without pretending.

Pretending is to cause, or attempt to cause, what is not so, to seem so.  It is to act as if something were true, to be insincere about something.  Madeline is not a pretender.  She lives a duality of goodness.  She actively makes improvements to her surroundings while experiencing the good continually.

First, Madeline enthusiastically seeks and focuses on the good things she sees in front of her.  She looks for the positive attributes of people, places and things.  And, her focus is clear and not blind.  She can see shortcomings.  She simply does not allow them to dominate her view.

Second, she expands her view to create a positive future.  Madeline takes action on a daily basis to improve the present while working to create successful outcomes in her future.  She constantly gives encouragement to everyone around her while working to improve her personal skills so she can give more.

Give more?  She’d say she receives more because of all the great people she comes into contact with.  And, then as if on cue, to confirm this private thought, Madeline’s husband responded to my earlier statement.

“Yes!  She would!  She would feel the same anywhere!”  He said.

I smiled, feeling fortunate to have learned about the duality of goodness from a master teacher.  Now, all too soon, my tutelage was ending.  We had completed our drive to the airport. 

We said our goodbyes and I wished them a safe and happy trip while knowing it would be a happy one! Madeline would continue focusing on the good she saw on their journey, while offering encouragement and a positive experience to everyone she came into contact with.