Survival is defined as 'an outliving' or the living beyond a person, thing, or event, or to last longer than. Over the past three months as I have reflected on the nature of survival in my own life challenges, I have witnessed the aftermath of Katrina, Rita, and Pakistan's earthquake, and have to say that in contrast, my survival issues feel like a gross overstatement. In truth, we all are surviving on some level every day... living beyond the challenges, the crises, the losses and the pain we may experience in our professional or personal lives. As I write this, despite the teaching offered by HeartMath, (the institution that reflects the philosophy, concepts, and tools I embrace and practice), I am tempted to 'compare' my situation to those 'survivors' mentioned, and be soothed by the meager inconveniences I have weathered this past quarter. But I realize that when I talk myself out of seeing my own very real struggles in their proper light, I risk losing the unique lessons they offer to teach me. The fact of the matter is that each one of our journeys has merit and a great deal to reveal.

Whether the learning is 'new' or simply seen in a new light, I've recently discovered a series of 'hard to accept' insights.

• The uncertainty I feel about a new path I'm walking doesn't always stay 'on the path,' but instead slowly bleeds over the edges into my sense of self, introducing doubt and hesitation into the whole of my experience.

• When I'm learning several new processes, whole systems, or personalities one after another, I inevitably yield to a state of overwhelm. Then I realize, the overwhelm was self-induced by unrealistically high expectations, (no surprise there!) Sometimes, we are hardest on ourselves.

• Adult learners need repetition, repetition, repetition to master new tasks, and yet I deny this to myself thinking it would make me (dare I say it?) look stupid.

• It is inside our beings where the gold lies—not in how well we... or how quickly we... or how smoothly we... rather, just being fully present is enough.

• It may require some practice—especially in new situations—to be fully present.

• The more we remain compassionate with ourselves and the people with whom we are newly interfacing—whether as leader, direct report, or colleague—the more the very best of us comes to the foreground, ready for right action.

Lindsay Wagner