Intention or Luck

It's easy, almost natural to see someone we perceive as better than, to beleive their mindset, disposition and position in life is out of reach, due to some mysterious form of luck, destiny or something unattainable. But what if it's a result of something more, something innate and possible for us all? That is what we will discuss, as we review the following clip and allegory:

This group will be scheduled every two weeks at 4:00 pm-6:00 pm (CST) at Panera Bread, on University in Fort Worth at
Panera Bread 1700 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76107.
Ideally we will be sitting at the long table on the left after entering.
A Taoist Story to Ease Your Mind: The Parable of The Old Man who lost his Horse

The student Who Wanted Enlightenment Now

The format of the group will consistently follow this pattern:

1. Settle in and start within first 10 minutes.
2. Review Ground Rules, Expectations and Weekly Topic (5-10 minutes)
3. Ice-breaker (will change every week) (10-20 minutes)
4. Main Topic of Discussion (45-60 minutes)
5. Closing Thoughts (10 minute)

The intention for "Blind Spots" is to intentionally discuss our own and society's various mental, emotional, ethical and moral boundaries and blind spots. These are by definition, emotionally charged topics, which is the very point.
The intention of this group is to learn how to better communicate and coincide with those you may not agree with or understand.
Blind Spots is intended to be a place were we can figure out how to better understand those we instinctively call the enemy.
Ground rules:

1. One person will speak at a time.
2. Critical thought and objection are both welcome, however be sure to challenge the content and not the personality.
3. When challenging another’s position, it is encouraged that you question from a place of “trying to understand the other individual’s position”, instead of intending on proving your point or theirs wrong through your questioning.

4)In the event discussion gets heated and volatile between two individuals or factions, the discussion will be halted, followed by taking the next 5 to 10 minutes, to use the remaining parts of the group to break down what just occurred and where communication broke down.

Ice Breaker
Discuss a time where you had something that was less than ideal, causing a dramatic shift in your world view, while feeling like your world was over? Was it truly over, or did it present with opportunity?

1. How would you define a victim mindset?

2. What is the opposite of a victim mindset?

3. Do you believe people are lucky or unlucky? If so, what is a defining quality that makes someone lucky or unlucky?

4. How does focusing on a specific unwanted outcome, while looking at it with finality, limit our ability to see new possibilities? (Think of a massive forest fire, resulting in room for new growth?)

5. It is often said, the greatest trait for success is adaptability to new circumstances, do you agree with this statement? Why or why Not?

6. What is the difference between seeing opportunity in a less than unideal circumstance compared to feeling confined to an outcome?

7. What parts of us are protected when we avoid accepting new circumstances, realities or truths?

8. How do you know if you are plagued with a victim mindset vs empowered to move forward?

9. Recently, an Amazon employee had died while working, the employees were instructed to continue working, despite at least one employee requesting to provide life saving care. The manager who told the employees to continue working, was later disclosed to be crying throughout the whole process. How does something like this occur?

10. While heartbreaking, the Amazon scenario is likely a drop in the bucket in relation to how employees are treated, but also how we respond to authority. How could we as individuals use this as a moment as opportunity, instead of falling back on “that’s just how the world works?”