Monday, May 02, 2005
interviewing for life
shortly after finding out that i hadn't been chosen, i sent out an email thanking my crew of family and friends for all of their support during the process. here's what i wrote:
Hello to my fabulous community of loves and supporters!
I'm writing with the latest on the MTV gig...the short version of which is I did not get the job. Regardless of the outcome, this has been an amazing process and I want to thank each of you for your support and for cheering me on!
I wanted to share a few highlights of the process with you:- This has been a huge jumpstart to my creative energy, my motivation and my remembering how capable I am of tackling big things.
-It has shown me how much fun building community can be, and how we really don't ever have to be alone in going after our dreams.
-I accomplished some big tasks in a short period of time, like updating my resume and getting professional photos taken. (Plus I got some super cute clothes!)
So thanks to each of you. It's lovely to notice that I couldn't have done this without all of you, I wouldn't want it any other way!
Dream big, -Kirsten
in response to this email many of my friends & family expressed their surprise at my positive outlook. as i've been reflecting on this over the past few days i've been thinking about the way in which we often live life in the future or the past, rather than in the present. in some ways it's like we are constantly interviewing for our lives rather than living them.
the MTV interview gave me the chance to enjoy the present fully, to take complete advantage of the experience of interviewing, regardless of what the future might hold. i'm not claiming that i didn't think about the outcome at any point during the process, but i made a conscious decision to stay focused on the interview, to enjoy that process before moving on to thinking about (or more accurately worrying about) what might or might not come after the interview.
it was a smart decision, and really enhanced the experience for me. and it's got me thinking about how we can approach life with a focus on the now. on being present in what's happening rather than preparing for what might.
i think doing so not only allows you to think about what you want to get out of the present moment, it prevents a lot of the worrying we take up our brain space doing. it makes me think of the quote: "you can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future."
so i'm going to try and use this experience as a model, to stay focused on what i'm doing now. to enjoy it, give it my full oomph and have fun! the future will be here soon enough to reveal what the outcome of my efforts has been.
as always, i'd love to hear about your adventures in the present! feel free to post 'em here!
dream big,
-kirsten
