 Have an Upside Down Holiday Season!
This is the story of Contra Ryan. Contra Ryan is a bat. At night he flies over the countryside using his fine hearing to find his way. During the daytime he hangs upside down on a beam in the barn, resting. For this reason the animals on the farm make fun of him and call him Contra Ryan.
Even though he is a joke among the animals, Contra Ryan keeps his sense of humour. To the little mouse he says, “The world seen upside down is straighter than you think!”
 One day all the animals began to worry. The nightingale had stopped singing. They whispered, “Life on the farm is not the same anymore.” The nightingale’s song had lifted the weight of the day and lightened the hearts of the hard-working animals.
The nightingale was moody and temperamental. “I sing and sing,” she said, “and no one is grateful. No one even says thank you. I give and give and get nothing in return.”
Contra Ryan let go one claw and dangled from the beam. “What do you think it would be like if you thanked them?” he asked.
“That’s absurd,” snapped the prima donna nightingale. “Why would I thank anyone?”
“Because they listen to you,” answered Contra Ryan.
Then he asked, “What would it be like to take another point of view? You expect to be thanked in a certain way. Truth is, everyone is grateful to you. You sing and their tiredness lightens. You sing and joy shines in their hearts.”
The nightingale wasn’t having any of it. “You’ve got it all wrong, little bat. Why should I give thanks? They owe me thanks!”
Nonchalantly, Contra Ryan said, “Does it work to look at life the same way over and over?”
 The nightingale looked askance. Then she pondered. Finally, she was convinced. She flew back to the tree at the centre of the farm and began warbling. “Thank you, friends,” she sang, “for listening to me. Thank you for loving my singing and my service to you. I thought I was the one supporting you. Instead, all of you are supporting me.”
Never before had her warbling been so sweet, so melodious. All the animals gathered round the tree and listened attentively. All around was infinite peace and inexplicable joy.
Contra Ryan became a renowned and desired coach. He had turned the situation around! He had given the opposite perspective—and life for everyone became richer.
Thank you, dear friends and clients, for listening to me. Thank you for bringing your beautiful music to the world. May your holiday and New Year be filled with new perspective—and an upside-down point of view!
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