Take Your Presence to a New Place

Return of the Wolf

When wolves were "reintroduced" to Yellowstone National Park the ecosystem there rebalanced itself. Elk behavior changed because its predator the wolf was present. As wolves reduced the number of elks herds, a plant that unculled herds of elk had entirely devoured became plentiful again. The appeal of this plant's nutrition brought beavers back to Yellowstone after a 50-year absence. Their innate response to the environment was to trim trees and damn rivers. This made room for more flowers to grow and attract birds that had stopped coming to Yellowstone. The return of the wolf tipped the balance of this incredible ecosystem, allowing Yellowstone to flourish anew from the natural interdependence of its wild life.

A Living Metaphor

The rebalancing of wild life in Yellowstone reflects the return to harmony you seek in work and the rest of your life. What small shift in attitude or action could (not should!) help you tip your ecosystem-personally and professionally-back into balance? Forget your quest for perfection! Instead playfully practice one new attitude or action for a week or two. Notice where you begin to flourish in your wild life.