Reframing What If…
Welcome to Wisdom Wednesdays from Owl & Key
Each week, enjoy a quick guided reflection to help you unlock what's next and bring your Strategic Plan for Life into reality.
Let's dive in!
Today, another guest post from the ever-inspiring Owl & Key Expert Guide Angela Reeves. 💛
When the moment of speculation hits
How many of us use the hypothetical question, “What if…?” to imagine what could have happened if we had chosen differently?
If only we had known better…
If only we had made the time...
If only we had been brave…
If only we had done that other thing…
In those moments, we speculate what might have happened. We create stories around alternative outcomes that aren’t real.
Yes, I know–reflection and learning from our past is helpful. Oftentimes though, we’re imagining an alternate reality that has been assigned a value greater than the present moment.
When we do this, our what if is locked in the past, with four walls closed tightly around it, only to be accessed by our memory.
The truth of the matter is that we cannot go back in time. It’s a bittersweet thing about our lives - we get to experience so much wonder, and yet each moment happens only once.
The Unlock
What if we reframed the what if?
What if we took all that wondering and possibility and embraced it fully in the present?
What if I sign up for that class now?
What if I take that leap of faith today?
What if I speak up in this meeting?
What if I make a plan to write ten minutes each day, starting now?
What if I slow down and enjoy it now?
From Speculation to Curious Awe
There’s a fundamental shift that comes from this pivot.
We move from letting the past chain us to what has been and instead allow the present to be filled with possibility and the future to open us up to what could be.
We become kinder to ourselves: instead of the shoulds and the woulds, we move forward into the cans and the wills.
We stop berating and start believing. Our wonder transforms from speculation into curious awe.
So, I invite you to ask yourself…
What’s one loud "should" that has been nagging at your mind lately?
Not sure? Set a timer for five minutes, ask yourself what brings you joy, what you would do if you could do anything.
Let the words pour out. Let it be absurd.
How can you honor that voice and the possibility that comes with it today?
What’s one small step you can take each day to make it a reality?
Putting it out in the world makes it real, so, who will you share this with?
In gentle strength,
Angela
Thank you, Angela, for your gifts to our community. 💛
Guidance for your next small step....
If you're a leader trying to be more intentional with your family, your team, your time and priorities in 2026...
- Connect with our founder Krista (krista@owlandkey.co) to explore a 1:1 Strategic Partnership, Retreats, Programs and Workshops.
If you're a Community Member or in a current Strategic Planning for Life Class...
- Bring your reflections from this email to the next Community Call or Class session to share with your Guide or a friend.
If you or someone you love is interested in entrepreneurship and want to make 2026 the year of an intentional leap...
- Join us for this upcoming live program - kicking off November 6!
If you're a DIYer and just want to dip your toe into being more intentional going into 2026...
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