How Wolves Can Teach Us About Our Lives
Brooke Chase Associates, Inc.
Retained Executive Search & Recruiting in the Building Products industries.
Source: Nathan Hurd
Chief Growth Officer, The Oxford Club
From the Desk of Nathan Hurd - Last weekend, our family spent time captivated... We were marveling at the awesome power and elegance of the natural world in the Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.
We saw black bears, coyotes, ospreys, moose, beautiful herds of bison and elk, and an endless number of breathtaking vistas.
As we drove, hiked, and camped, my wife and I took turns reading to one another and our children about the history and ecosystem of this part of the world.
We read many stories about specific animal populations dwindling to almost nothing - and all the ripple effects it had on the surrounding ecosystem.
The story o the Yellowstone wolves is fascinating. It beautifully highlights the interconnectedness of the natural world. And since this past weekend, I've been reflecting on the story of the wolves and how it's a perfect metaphor for the way interconnectedness leads to richness in our own lives.
In the 1920s, the last gray wolf in Yellowstone was killed.
For 70 years, there were no wolves. Elk populations swelled. Overgrazing destroyed willow and aspen trees, which caused rivers and streams to erode the land and change course. Many scavenger species suffered without wolf kills to feed on. Beavers almost disappeared in northern Yellowstone. Coyotes became the apex predator, diminishing populations of antelope, red fox, and rodents.
There was an ecological collapse in the part.
After decades of political back-and-forth, gray wolves were reintroduced in 1995. The impact was seen almost immediately.
Coyote numbers dropped by half. Red fox, antelope and rodent populations were restored. Elk numbers began to drop, but elk also began to avoid the valleys where they were more easily hunted. Plant life began to thrive along the riverbanks once more, and the rivers and streams began to change course which helped restore the beaver populations.
Yes, the reintroduction of wolves literally changed the flow of the rivers and restored the ecosystem!
Pretty amazing.
This same interconnectedness is vital to us if we want to live truly rich lives.
A rich life is expansive and diverse.
We can be...
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Each of these holds' importance. But if we are tempted to emphasize one at the expense of other elements in our life, we can experience our own "ecological collapse, " just as Yellowstone did.
But there's an easy way to help you restore balance in and maintain focus on the areas of life that lead to wholeness, richness and fulfillment.
Try this exercise...
For each area - money, time, health, relationships, mind and heart/spirit - write down how satisfied you are currently. Give it a score form one to 10, with one being totally unsatisfied and 10 being completely satisfied.
Then, next to each area of life, describe what a 10 would be for you today. What is the best scenario you can imagine for yourself?
Try to be specific enough so that if you gave these responses to a movie producer, they could write the movie of your current life.
Let's say you put a six for health. What does a 10 look like? What is ideal for your weight, hours of sleep, energy level, consistency with health checkups, etc.?
The difference between the number you write for your current satisfaction and your description of a 10 is your opportunity.
As simple as it sounds, taking a moment to write out the best you can imagine for yourself will unlock greater awareness.
If you follow this up by rereading this list each morning, your life will begin to change and improve.
By reminding ourselves why each area of life is so important, we restore balance to our lives and our focus.
And we begin to expand and reshape the richness we experience.
Regards, Nathan
About Brooke Chase Associates, Inc.
Brooke Chase Associates, Inc. is the premier executive search firm specializing in the recruitment of executive management professionals within the building materials and kitchen/bath industries. Established in 1980, our list of clients has grown to become a virtual "Who's Who" of both domestic and international firms for whom we have successfully recruited professionals. A testament to our success is that many of our clients have utilized our services for over 43 years. We have one of the best "Completion" and "Retention Rates" in the industry. At Brooke Chase Associates, Inc., a strong emphasis is placed on our client relationships. A retained, exclusive executive search is a strategic, not transactional, relationship with the hiring manager and human resources, the "search committee." Our business is driven by a single principle: Successful companies start with successful people.
Brooke Chase Associates, Inc. has its Corporate Headquarters in Sarasota, FL. For additional information contact Joseph McElmeel, Chairman and CEO of Brooke Chase Associates, Inc. at 941-479-6382 or jmcelmeel@brookechase.com
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