“Come From” Energy

WARNING: Today’s topic is meant to wake you up – jar you a bit – invite you into a deeper level of responsibility for how you show up in the world. Proceed with courage!

Think about a time when you have done something you didn’t want to, perhaps resentfully or grudgingly. Or, recall a time when you were physically present but emotionally and spiritually, perhaps even mentally, “out to lunch”. Or, what about those times when your reason for doing “it” was all about what you would gain – perhaps business or recognition? If it weren’t for the benefits, you so would NOT be there! 

Now, think about a time when you’ve been with someone else whose energy was at a disconnect from their “good” actions. Continue reading ““Come From” Energy”

Just a reminder: Beginner’s Mind

As many of you return to work following the Labor Day weekend, or to school following summer break, I’d like to invite you into an idea that could transform your experience of your coworkers, employees, students and most of all YOU and your life. The idea may already be known to you but it is ever and always worth revisiting:  Beginner’s Mind. Wikipedia offers us this definition:

 In Zen Buddhism, Shoshin or beginner’s mind refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would.

How often do you go to the office eager and open,
or enter a conversation ready to learn?

Continue reading “Just a reminder: Beginner’s Mind”

I am not strange …

… I am a limited edition! A friend shared this with me earlier today. When I looked up the source, I found the original quotation from author, J.T. Geissinger:

“I’m not weird, I’m limited edition.”

My friend and I were talking about expressing our true selves, daring to live “my” life, and not some watered down version of life based on who “you” think I “should” be.

Yet, I bet you all have met some eccentric folks, living their lives, their way. Continue reading “I am not strange …”

Checking in …

How do you check in with yourself each day? Does your morning start with an intentional pause to discern things like:

  • What MUST happen today?
  • Who needs a bit of attention today?
  • How prepared am I for what’s ahead?
  • What do I need to get grounded and ready?

I’ve had a “morning practice” for many years now, though it has changed many times. Recently, I made yet another change — inspired, actually, by a strong sense that my “grounding check-in” was actually ungrounding me and rendering me less prepared for the day ahead than before I got out of bed!

Curious?

Continue reading “Checking in …”

What is your 1%?

Too often, when groups of people collaborate and something doesn’t go as planned, the impulse is to look “out there” and notice what “they did wrong” — to find blame. This happens at work, at home, truly anywhere we humans attempt to co-create. Employees blame leadership and vice versa, siblings are quick to point the finger, spouses also, unfortunately, notice the others’ failings before their own.

Are you willing to try something new?

Continue reading “What is your 1%?”