“If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, then you don’t understand it yourself.” – Albert Einstein
Six
“I don’t think I was ever planning to have children,” Andrew said. “But now that I have one child I can’t ever imagine not having her.”
The term Felix culpa immediately came to mind as Andrew spoke about the good that has come into his life as a result the unexpected. Felix culpa is a Latin phrase that comes from the words felix, meaning ‘happy,’ ‘lucky,’ or ‘blessed,’ and culpa, meaning ‘fault’ or ‘fall.’ It’s a concept suggesting that something unexpected or unplanned can bring about greater good.
We all are the receivers of the unexpected and each instance offers an opportunity of using the “Principle of Six,” a concept initiated as a result of something Albert Einstein said long ago, “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, then you don’t understand it yourself.” So, next time you see a child, of about six years of age, let their likeness entice you toward exploration of the unexpected.
First. At the moment of your emotional reaction to the unexpected, ask yourself, “Where is this emotion coming from?” Dave Zitting is the designer of this all important first question. He explains the question’s power by teaching of the important connection that emotion plays in every aspect of living and its relationship to often-ignored situational understanding.
Second, A six-year-old is often frustrated at their lack of situational understanding. As a result, their knee-jerk emotional reaction governs their behavior. You and I have all seen emotional outbursts displayed by exasperated children. We’ve also seen that such reactions are always unproductive. Dave’s question, when asked internally, reveals another paths forward.
Third. Be comfortable with not understanding the moment. It is impossible to know everything that can come from an unexpected occurrence. One of my favorite allegories is about a farmer who always said, “we’ll see,” when his friends and neighbors tried to label every unexpected event, that came to him, as good or bad luck. Be like the farmer who is open to “we’ll see.”
Fourth, seek long term understanding. My friend Andrew is just like the rest of us. He had no notion of the gift his daughter would be before she arrived in his life. You and I have no idea what greater good will come from life’s unanticipated occurrences. And, just like Andrew, we’ll only discover them over time.
Fifth. Look for luck. After one of our common friends once described Kristin Murdock as the “luckiest person she’s ever met,” Kristin taught me that if I simply looked for luck, it will come to me. She’s right!
Sixth. Accept the luck and gifts received as a result of your providential falls and one day, when you and I finally understand the “Principle of six,” we’ll be able to explain it to a six-year-old.
I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work, to achieve Realesation. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, to stir your heart and mind:
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