Gifts of the Magi for Women in Business

One of my favourite books is Sarah Ban Breathnach’s Simple Abundance – a Daybook of Comfort of Joy.  I’ve had the book for over a decade.  Year on year I delve into the book’s wonderful treasure of wisdom and simple truths day in, day out.  I remain amazed at how continually inspirational the day book is.

So it was last a few days ago that the Daybook’s topic was on the gifts of the magi.  No ordinary story in this Daybook, I tell you.  Ms Breathnach took this to another rousing level.  What if the gifts of the magi represented wonder (gold), acceptance (frankincense) and courage (myrrh)? Accepting that the Magi had expected to see the King of Kings, when they found the new born in a stable instead of a palace, “they offered wonder by surrendering logic, reason, and common sense.  Accepting the impossible, they suspended scepticism long enough to double cross the insane King Herod, frantically searching for the child who would change the work.  With courage – at risk of their own lives – the wise men helped the young family escape to a safe haven in Egypt.”

As I reflected on this interpretation I thought of the many times when experience has not met expectation.  I also thought of the usual response we often give to such situations – frustration, anger, despair.  But then I wondered what if we responded more like the wise men.  What if we demonstrated surprise but followed through with acceptance and then the courage to go on as we execute specific and deliberate strategies and actions in alignment with our entrepreneurial convictions and beliefs.

As we approach a new year, women in business, be encouraged and be of good cheer!  If you are not getting the results you want in your business and are, well, let’s say experiencing a negative wonder just like the wise men, still be of good courage.  Accept the circumstance, but forge ahead in 2013 with fortitude and strength.  Remain true to your convictions, seek help and forge ahead a plan and strategy that will see to the transformation of your business.