The Most Important Lesson

Finding your most important lesson is the theme of this week's Grasshopper Notes essay from John Morgan for the week of January 5th.

Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

The Most Important Lesson

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in life?

You might have to sit with that question for a moment — but it’s worth the reflection.

For me, the answer goes all the way back to my teenage years.

My dad was a bricklayer. My uncle was a steamfitter. Together, they invested their savings into a part-time business and bought a Tastee-Freez ice cream franchise.

All the employees were family members, and for me, it was my very first job. I started out working just a few hours a week, then picked up more hours as I got a bit older.

The store was open from May ’til the end of October, 7 days a week from 9 a.m. ‘til 11 p.m. We lived in the northeast, and there was little business to be had from November through April, so we were closed during those months.

One late October night, I was working with my dad. The weather was rainy and raw. It was now 10 o’clock, and we hadn’t had a customer for an hour and a half.

So I said to my dad, “maybe we should close up and go home because it looks like no one’s coming out for ice cream.”

He looked at me and said, “We’re open ’til 11. What if a dad pulls up before closing with a carful of kids and we’re not open? What will he remember? The bad weather? No, he’ll remember that he disappointed his kids and that we weren’t open for our posted hours.” Where will he go the next time? Not here.”

I remember saying under my breath, like that’s gonna happen.

So I went back to doing busy work around the store, just trying to pass the time.

Then, at quarter ’til eleven — lo and behold — a car pulls up. Inside is a man and a gaggle of kids, all wanting ice cream.

I couldn’t believe it.

We served them, and they drove off smiling.

The lesson I learned that night was simple: Do what you say you’re going to do. And it’s been my guiding light ever since.

Sure, I’ve slipped up a few times. But not often enough to keep me from applying that lesson throughout my life.

So what’s your most important lesson?

What’s your North Star?

And if you haven’t found it yet, it’s worth exploring. Because once you do, it becomes a noble asset — one that will serve you not only from May through October, but for a lifetime.

All the best,
John