Archive for Perspectives
Simple Wonders by Guest Blogger, Rhonda Hull
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So often it is the simple wonders that fall in the shadows of the steep expectations we hold for our self and the way we think the world should work.
I am sure not to be the only one who experiences that whatever task I undertake or project I agree to, it consistently takes two to three times as long as I anticipate to accomplish my intended goal.
You think we would get smart enough to do better at time management by planning for these certain realities, accepting that it always takes longer. But no, instead we judge ourselves and compress life, not wanting to ‘drop a ball’ or say ‘no’ to anything.
Can we be happy even at these times? Expanding compassion and patience, not for the outer world or others, but for ourselves seems to be the key to happiness until we can adjust our perception of time and surrender to and trust in Divine Order.
It is important not to miss the simple wonders in our hurry to force life along. So today, amidst looming project due dates (I refuse to call them dead-lines) and having more on my plate than I have allowed time for, I choose to take the time to notice that the sun is out for the first time in days, delight that I heard my grandson giggle over the phone, and show gratitude for the simple wonders, big and small, that reconnect me to the perfection in mis-perfection today.
WHAT DO YOU PERCEIVE AS THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD?
by Author Unknown
A group of students was asked to list what they thought were
the present ‘Seven Wonders of the World.’ Though there were
some disagreements, the following received the most votes:
1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter’s Basilica
7. China’s Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noticed that one quiet student hadn’t turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, ‘Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.’
The teacher said, ‘Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.’
The girl hesitated, then read, ‘I think the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ are:
1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love.
The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous! Be grateful for simple things!
Special credit for this blog post goes to Rhonda Hall, founder of The Center for Happiness. Be sure to learn more about Rhonda and her work at www.driveyourselfhappy.com.
Are you Alert to Life?
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Do you notice what’s going on in and around you? Are you alert to life?
Years ago I went to training to learn how to prepare relevant talks for my audiences. Florence Littauer, published author and founder of CLASServices shared this concept with our group. It has served me well over the years, not just in creating training material, but also in other facets of my work and life.
Let me share an example that might be helpful, especially for those of you working as Mompreneurs. One area of my personal and professional life that I am exploring and nurturing is my creativity. I haven’t exercised this muscle in years so it’s time for some training!
As I’ve become “alert to life” in this area, I have become aware and paying attention to how my daughter expresses herself creatively. She’s started to design clothes and draws pictures of dresses she wants to make. She’s already a huge fan of coloring and drawing but her creativity doesn’t stop there. She’s brilliant when it comes to building things with Lego’s, Tinker Toys and more. She’s definitely got me beat when it comes to science, math and spatial ability! 
Being aware of this has been helpful on many levels. It’s teaching me about creativity, it’s revealing more about my daughter’s strengths and it has provided a connection point for our relationship as we “create” together. It’s also allowing me to integrate my life and business as I explore creativity for my work in The Leadership Collaborative. Bottom line is that I feel alive, on purpose and whole!
So how about you? When you become alert to life what do you notice? What’s hear for you to teach, speak or write about?
The larger story is that being “alert to life” awakens you. You become “present” in the moment which brings value personally and professionally.
Will you try this today? Become alert to life and share your comments at the blog. There’s a gift awaiting when you do.
“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it ‘The Present’.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Reframing Gives New Perspective
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I was unplugged for the week of Spring Break and had visions of relaxing and taking it easy. A girl can dream right? I really thought that stepping away from technology would take me to the “lazy and slow moving” part of the river of life. Maybe for others but not for me, at least not during this break!
I actually ended up on the “fast and furious” side of the metaphorical river of life as I sat in the Urgent Care office with my daughter. We eventually received news that she broke her wrist playing basketball so needless to say the coaching skill of “reframing” has helped me navigate the unexpected in a healthy and life giving way.
It’s amazing how powerful reframing can be when something unforeseen happens. In our need for structure in an ever changing world, it’s a “practical” and “tactical” tool that can help you keep a healthy perspective as you navigate the often unplanned happenings and organic nature of life. According to the Coaches Training Institute the term reframing involves “providing a client with another perspective so the information or situation can be interpreted in a different way.”
So that’s exactly what I decided to do! Instead of seeing this situation as an interruption to my relaxing break, I have chosen to embrace the new morning routine that has come out of the situation since my daughter needs extra help. It’s actually ironic that our old morning ritual was creating chaos in our lives, so her broken wrist has actually provided us with an opportunity to do things differently.
For encouragement, a colleague of mine sent me a copy of the picture included with this post. Now isn’t that an uplifting “reframe” to an unexpected event? When I choose to hold onto the “something wonderful is about to happy” perspective I actually get excited to think about the good that will come out of this situation.
How about you? Are you currently in the midst of a situation that requires a reframe? If so, what’s the new perspective you’ll take?
When you think about your challenges through the lens of “something wonderful is about to happy” what shifts for you?
I’m not here to dismiss the reality of the pain and suffering that comes through unanticipated change. Change creates loss and grief becomes a part of the process. It’s essential to give yourself permission to feel the full range of your human experience as you go through it. At the same time, it’s important that you don’t allow yourself to get “stuck” and lose site that you can find good in the midst of your trials.
Where has reframing helped you in your life? Share your thoughts at the blog and remember that whatever you are going through that’s hard, this too shall pass.
Appreciating the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
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I find it’s easier to appreciate the good that happens in my business or life. Inherently, I’m a positive person and much prefer to live in my “happy” place so I am able to pause, see the value of the positive, and embrace and celebrate the wins. I imagine this is mostly true for you as well.
But what about those “bad” and “ugly” instances that happen? Are you able to embrace and appreciate these too?
My hunch is that you’re like most of my clients who don’t want to dwell on the difficulties. You prefer to move forward and focus on what you want instead of what you don’t. I mean really, isn’t the point to keep moving toward your goals and dreams?
Well, yes. And no.
In my work, I’ve learned that appreciating only the good keeps you from being fully human as you limit your range of emotion. The challenge is that what you define as “bad” or “ugly” might actually be the situation in your life that will help you to break out of old patterns that don’t serve you that keep you stuck.
Another important truth to remember is the proverbial phrase that “what you resist persists”. Chances are there will come a time when you’ll need to appreciate the “bad” and the “ugly” in order to gain the essential insight that helps you change and propels you forward into the more fulfilling life you really desire.
Let me share a personal example. Back in November on the Friday after Thanksgiving, I was in a car accident with my daughter and my car was totaled. Without getting into the details, suffice it to say this has and remains a very difficult and painful experience on multiple levels. It is definitely a situation I would label as “bad” and “ugly”.
Because it also involves my daughter, I’ve been required embrace the “bad” and the “ugly” over and over again. I finally gave myself permission to embrace the challenge and while it has been awful in many ways, the good that has come far outweighs the challenges.
Keeping it in the context of work, this situation was the catalyst that brought clarity around my next season professionally and how I will move forward using The Leadership Collaborative as my new work platform. So because of this “bad”, I am experiencing deep joy and great fulfillment in my work and having fun every day as I’ve allowed this “bad” situation to bring me closer to my true purpose in life and work.
What “bad” and “ugly” are you dealing with right now? It may not be a car accident like I’ve experienced; it could be a business deal gone bad or a challenging relationship. Whatever it might be for you, is it time to give yourself permission to appreciate the situation so you can gain the essential insight needed to propel you forward?
It’s not always easy but it will be the most rewarding and fulfilling personal development work you will ever do.
I found this quote which sums up this blog powerfully. “Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem a turned it into an opportunity.” Joseph Sugarman
I want this level of success for you. Are you ready to appreciate the “bad” and the “ugly”? Contact me if you want support to design a plan of action. Don’t try to be Superwoman and go the journey alone.
Picture Courtesy of Photoxpress © Petr Gnuskin
The Gift of Reflection – Increase your Impact and Improve your Results in 2011
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Christmas is over yet there is still one present remaining if you are willing to open it. It’s the gift of reflection time spent during this last week of the year.
There is a slight “catch” with this gift. Someone isn’t going to come to you and hand you extra hours in your day for this reflection. This is one of those presents that you must decide you will get for yourself. Even once you choose this gift, you must be intentional and disciplined to make use of it.
You might be wondering why it’s so import to experience this gift. For me, this time has become non-negotiable and I guard it with intention because:
- Reflecting back on your year helps you identify your successes and wins achieved during the year. You can celebrate your accomplishments and own the many ways you’ve grown and become more of your true and authentic self.
- You clear out unnecessary thoughts, paperwork and possessions you no longer need for the coming year. This frees you up to move into the new year without hindrance.
- You identify what you want for your life and work in the coming year and can make intentional plans with action steps to get you there. This helps you begin your new year in action, being proactive toward what you want to create for 2011. This results in a thriving and fulfilling life rather than reacting to life and just surviving.
I imagine that many of you reading this blog probably still have kids at home who are on break. You’ve probably checked out from reading this post because you see this reflection time as a luxury rather than a necessity. I challenge you to take on a different perspective consider these questions:
- What if you deciding to make this time for yourself is the way you model healthy self-care to your kids?
- How might the future of your children be different if you choose to celebrate your year and plan intentionally for the one ahead?
As you choose to open the gift of reflection this week, use this celebration tool to guide you through the process. This is my free gift to you and for those of you that need a little extra encouragement, I’m going to sweeten the deal. The first 4 of you who send me an e-mail with your answers to the questions will receive a FREE 15-minute laser coaching session from me. To be considered you need to e-mail me by Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 and it’s first come, first served.
As we wind down the year, I want to celebrate each of you by thanking you for being a part of my blog community. It’s been a privilege and joy to support you with wisdom, resources and encouragement this past year and I look forward to partnering with you in 2011.
Here’s to celebrating 2010 for the sake of an extraordinary and abundant new year!
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”
Hal Borland
