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The Gift of Acceptance

In the first chapter of The Zen Leader, Ginny Whitelaw suggests that acceptance is a huge part of the first step a leader must take when the situation gets challenging. Only when we observe what is and accept that it really is happening can we actually have impact which transforms. Without acceptance, we likely head down the path of negative energies which, she suggests, often look like tolerance, rationalization, resistance, anger or rage, denial. With acceptance, we have the possibility of coming to understand what is and, from there, channel our energy in positive directions which can lead to joy and enthusiasm.

In my own life recently, I was faced with Continue reading “The Gift of Acceptance”

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Release Expectation – Embrace Expectancy!

What do you hear in the word “expectation”? When you expect something from another or from life, what do you notice in your being? What happens when those expectations are dashed?

Now, switch gears for a minute. Replace “expectation” with “expectancy, abundant expectancy“. What is the energy now?

Here’s where I go with these two:

Expectations that I have for myself or another person or for the situation feel limiting. I notice tension as I wait to see if what I want, what I expect, will happen. There is smallness here as laser focus sees only “this” and “these options”. I am trapped in my version of how life should unfold. I have put a box around you and how I want you to be. Often, sadly, I expect the worst.
Continue reading “Release Expectation – Embrace Expectancy!”

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Mind Pollution

From the book, The Yamas & Niyamas, by Deborah Adele, we read:

“Yogiraj Achala tells the story about taking his young son to the Mississippi River. The son, looking into the river, asked his dad if the river was polluted. Yogiraj responded that no, the river is only carrying the pollution, the river itself is pure. Our minds are like the river carrying things in it. If we identify with what the mind is carrying – thoughts, stories, beliefs – then we will think we are those things.”

Tomorrow is July 4th, the day Americans celebrate freedom. Take a moment. Breathe in deeply. Let it go. Continue to breathe long, slow, full breaths. As you do, take the spectator seat near your mind. Notice:
Continue reading “Mind Pollution”

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Are your gremlins running the show?

A gremlin is that voice within who makes a serious game of keeping us from appreciating our life and living our passion. The gremlin voice is NOT our deepest, truest self. Its messages include the likes of: “You’ll never succeed. You’re wasting your time. Why bother? You’ll look silly.” Learning to ignore the gremlin, move beyond its false messages, and “do it anyway” is a topic of many books and workshops! That tells me we are not alone in facing this “opportunity for growth”.  One delightful book about gremlins is:

GremlinBook

Early on, the author reminds us of the value in noticing vs. straining, striving, forcing change. Regarding gremlin taming, he paraphrases the Zen Theory of Change in this way:

I free myself not by trying to be free, but by simply noticing how I am imprisoning myself in the very moment I am imprisoning myself.

What is your gremin’s prison cell like?

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Into Action!

Coaching has a huge component of action in it. Change happens – not when we think about it, or hope for something different, or simply imagine – but when we take that next step and act on those dreams, goals, desires. We act despite our fear. We act, not concerned with the outcome but concerned rather with what it takes to act and who we will become in the process.

What action are you avoiding?
What impact will taking the action have on your life?
What action will you take today?