I See Diamonds!
Diamonds! When I think of antifragile, I think of Diamonds. Beauty created under pressure, a beauty that reflects light beyond itself.
In his book Antifragile, Nassim Nicholas Taleb sets out to help the reader understand how resiliency is obtained and how we can grow from challenges. This idea that disorder isn’t synonymous with demise.
This semester for myself and for others has been one that has felt like a rollercoster. There have been moments of success and moments of pain, pressure, heartbreak, joy, chaos, and even disorder. Yet, each of us in our own way has found ways to keep pushing, to keep refining, to keep researching, to keep reaching for the goal. In the midst of things that make some people throw in the towel and call it quits, we keep pushing forward towards the goal. The question that Taleb sets out to discuss in the book is, “Why?”
Overcompensation
Taleb wrote, “Most Humans manage to squander their free time, as free time makes them dysfunctional, lazy, and unmotivated- the busier they get, the more active they are at other tasks. Overcompensation, here again.” (43) As I read this I began to think about each of us in this doctoral program and the parts of the stories of our lives we have shared with each other and how we each wear many hates and fulfill many different roles. In particular I have noticed how little “free time” many of us have. Have we all mastered the art of overcompensation? Would we be as successful in our quest of the title doctor and the research we are doing without the pressures around us as parents, leaders, grandparents, caregivers, spouses, pastors, employees, business owners… the list goes on. The pressures of all the stressors around us are creating the environment in which we can be refined.
Let’s Shine
As we wrap up this semester and enter into our final semester of our doctoral work together, I see us living out an antifragile existence. I see us under pressure being formed into the diamond that will radiate brilliance to so many others all around the world. All this because through a season of disorder, or chaos, of struggle, or overcompensation we would not let it become our demise but intern let it become our light. A light that will shine beyond ourselves.
About the Author
Sara Taylor Lattimore
Sara is adopted, a wife of 17 years, a mother to 2 amazing children who give her opportunities to be a cheerleader, dress up like a princess, play soccer in the mud, and go on amazing adventures. With a Bachelors in political science and sociology, Sara worked for Child Protective Services as a legal caseworker before following a call into full-time ministry in 2008. During her time in full-time ministry Sara has served in medium to large size local congregations, as well as camp ministry. Sara has a passion for serving others, writing, and speaking. In 2016 Sara worked on a joint publication as a Curriculum Writer. Sara wrote the Intergenerational/Family & Day Camp Resources in “Beyond Belief” for InsideOut Christian Resources for Outdoor Ministry- Published by Chalice Press- Release Date 2018. Sara is looking forward to writing her own book next. Sara completed her MDiv from Iliff School of Theology in 2019 and is currently working on her Doctorate in Leadership and Global Perspectives from Portland Seminary. Sara currently serves as Lead Pastor of a local church in Southwestern Montana. She has previously served in ministry positions leading congregations in engaging globally in healthy mission and outreach partnerships, living life missionally, building innovative programs, and building relationships as the Director of Missions and Outreach, College Ministry Coordinator, Family and Children’s Ministry Director, Director of Christian Education, and Camp Program Director. She is an innovator and visionary who looks to find empowering and dignity restoring ways of building communities of belonging, while listening and partnering with others to find ways to also address the needs of the communities she is planted in. Beyond her work, Sara dreams of growing her family through adoption, kayaking with Orcas, going on pilgrimage on the Camino De Santiago in Spain, traveling in an RV across North America, and traveling internationally.2 responses to “I See Diamonds!”
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Sara,
I enjoyed reading your post. As you anticipate the completion of your doctoral journey (WE ARE SOOO CLOSE), how do you envision harnessing the resilience and strength you’ve developed in this ‘antifragile’ phase to impact your future professional and personal endeavors?
Hi Daron,
I have used the resiliency I have gained on a daily bases so far and I expect that it has become a threshold concept for me!
WE ARE SO CLOSE!