Month: <span>July 2019</span>

Letting go of what does not work and old mindsets

Unlearning raises our regarding what to unlearn. Letting go is a very powerful competence to develop. When combined with clarity of intention, deep listening, awareness and appreciation, letting go is a natural next step.

Even though I came with a strong intention, I should be willing to move on to what works gracefully and let go of my old mindset. Otherwise I would be left with resentment and anger or frustration instead of accomplishment. A good creative person knows what to hold on and what to let go and when to do what.

Letting go is also about flexibility and good judgment. When I what to let go, I can take responsibility for what I can hold onto. When I do not have the freedom to let go, I cannot take accountability for anything.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda

Appreciation for each other and what you receive

It is always easy for us to find fault with each other and see what is missing or wrong. Unfortunately, focusing on what does not work leads to unleashing failure around us. We have to “unlearn” our patterns of identifying what does not work and intentionally concentrate on appreciating what works however minute that may be. Appreciating a person boosts his/her morale and makes him/her feel good.

I can only appreciate others to the extent that I appreciate myself. So appreciation is also about self acceptance. We rarely appreciate who we are and what we receive because of our conditioned expectations.

By the way, appreciation does not mean that one should accept everything and everybody and be inauthentic about it. Authentic appreciation, on the other hand, allows people to go beyond their own limits.

Curiosity, empathy, and appreciation provide the impetus for people to engage in an activity that is personally challenging and, hopefully, discover their own untapped potential.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda

Empathy for one another

Awareness and sensitivity are the foundation for empathy and mutual respect. When I begin to be sensitive to body language, the unsaid and motivation behind, that might allow me to inquire further. Once I’m sensitive to where you are and what you want, I begin to see new possibilities that I had never seen before.

Openness, mutual respect and trust are ingredients for a lasting relationship and, of course, for a meaningful conversation. Deep listening, not just to the words but the meaning behind the words, is the foundation for empathetic relationship. Empathy begets more empathy and is the source of creative partnership.

Empathy comes from the heart and engages with the spirit of the relationship. Empathy is the seat of passion, and when mastered, leads to compassion. It is important to let you know that I noticed what you did and such acknowledgement brings each other to higher state of functionality and vice versa. When you acknowledge me I become more sensitive to noticing what I can acknowledge in you.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda

Awareness of what surrounds you

We don’t leave in a vacuum either personally or organizationally. I’m conditioned by my family, my culture and I’m continually being shaped by the environment that I live in. I use the word “environment” to include everything that is outside of me, and that could influence me. The more I become conscious of what is influencing me, the more I can exercise my judgment and choice. If I’m not even aware of my surroundings and their influence, my intention alone cannot carry me through to accomplishment.

Likewise, an organization to be successful needs to continually be aware of what is going on with its clients, competitors and employees. We have to remember that awareness is about now, not yesterday or tomorrow.

In the personal context, awareness without empathy could lead to arrogance and could be a reason for break down in relationships. We feel valued when we receive the gift of deep listening when somebody else is aware of of our situation.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda