I travel as often as I can, and on each trip, I bring back a magnet representing the place I visited as a souvenir. At home, we have two boards displaying these magnets: one for international and another for domestic. Recently, my niece and nephew visited, and my young niece was fascinated by the international magnets, particularly the one from Ireland, which features a leprechaun with a rainbow and a pot of gold. She asked if I would bring her a leprechaun (not a magnet), but a real one, next time I go to Ireland! I asked why, and she responded that she wanted his pot o’ gold. I explained leprechauns are hard to catch. Her suggestion? Trap him with gold, since they are required to give it to us anyway, since using our gold won’t matter. The wonder of a child!!
This Sunday, March 17th, we will all once again be Irish for a day! St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, credited with bringing Christianity to the country, and has been celebrated in Ireland for more than 1000 years. Of course, celebrations in the US are more recent; the first St Patrick’s day parade is believed to have been held March 17th, 1601 in St. Augustine, Florida (of all places!). These days, to celebrate, most of us will get up to our usual shenanigans, dying rivers green, the annual St Patty’s Day parades, the requisite pub crawls with or without green beer and a round of parties. We will wear green so as not to get pinched (ouch)! Some of us will search for that elusive treasure…. the “pot o’ gold” guarded, as legend has it, by leprechauns who, as it turns out, aren’t very nice. Now then, where the heck is this pot of gold, and how do I get my hands on it?!
Perhaps the “pot o’ gold” isn’t as elusive as we think. What if, instead of being filled with literal treasure, it’s meant to symbolize things of importance to us? The qualities, values, and relationships that we value, treasure, and strive to maintain. These things are as individual and unique as each of us and are our own true treasure. Perhaps, instead of chasing rainbows to look for the “pot o’ gold”, we should look introspectively at our own pots. Have we filled them with all the qualities and relationships we value and are we putting in the work need to uphold those qualities and grow and support those relationships? Finding the “pot o’ gold” isn’t finding a literal pot of gold coins and treasures; it’s about the realization of all one’s hopes, dreams, fulfillment or happiness and ultimate success. It something entire within our control if we put in the hard work to fill and sustain our pots!
So, instead of chasing rainbows and fighting leprechauns this St. Patty’s Day, let’s celebrate a little differently this year. Let’s take some time out, look within, consider what is needed to fill or sustain our pots and plan to put in the work to get there. It’s safer than dealing with Leprechauns and is entirely within our own control! And, of course, you can always enjoy a sip of your Irish beverage of choice in the process!
How do you plan to fill or sustain your pot with these treasures? Engage with us on social media using the hashtag #MyPotOfGoldChallenge and inspire others with your story. I, apparently, I am going leprechaun hunting!!!!
“May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold—and at the end of your rainbows may you find a pot of gold.” – Old Irish Blessing
Don’t forget to wear your green and “Beannachtai na Feile Padraig Ort” (Happy St. Patrick’s Day)!
Have a great weekend.
-Vijay