Bask in the wonderment of being a conscious part of the universe

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Bask in the wonderment of being a conscious part of the universe.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Joshua Earle

Over the last 30 years, I’ve met thousands of other coaches who share a mutual commitment of supporting others to lead extraordinary lives.

One, named Jay Perry, has been a pioneer in the field and has influenced and inspired countless other coaches to pursue this meaningful and rewarding profession.

Jay came up with a concept he called a “wondershop” as an alternative to the more traditional workshops many of us have attended over the years.

Exploring new horizons and depths of living turned on many bright lights of insights for those who were lucky to participant.

EXERCISE:

Create your own outline for a wondershop you would like to attend.

Share this concept with people you admire and respect for their ideas to compliment your own.

Set aside some time with these folks to do some wandering and wondering around the universe.

Friday Review: Coach-Ability

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Friday Review: Coach-Ability

How “Coach-Able” are you? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

How do the good and bad examples set by others offer you lessons on how to live?

 

 

 

“If you are not willing to learn no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”

 

 

 

“Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action toward your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.”

 

 

 

 

“Things that aren’t your fault can still be your responsibility.”

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“Things that aren’t your fault can still be your responsibility.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Markus Winkler

When we examine our world closely, it’s amazing to see just how many aspects of our lives are not within our control.

It can often feel unfair when we experience bad breaks in either personal or professional matters.

At such times many of us default to pointing the blame for how things go down elsewhere.

Although many of these messy situations may be caused by others, we often find ourselves with mops and brooms, cleaning up after them.

How well do you manage and navigate such events?

EXERCISE:

Where and how do you embrace your responsibility for things that aren’t your fault?

How could taking this stance more often empower you to live with greater dignity and self-respect?

“You should have something to show for each day you were lucky enough to live.”

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“You should have something to show for each day you were lucky enough to live.”

—Ryan Holiday, American marketer, podcaster, Stoic philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Guille Álvarez

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that the new year is off to a great start!

Beyond the gifts you received—and perhaps a few extra pounds—what else do you have to show for these days?

How lucky and grateful do you feel each day you roll, step, or leap out of bed?

In the year ahead, how will you bring greater intention and purpose to your days to contribute even more within your various communities?

EXERCISE:

Consider setting up a show-and tell time with family and friends.

How can your individual and collective efforts help everyone to feel even luckier to be alive?

How often do you project your current mindset and assumptions into past and future events

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“How often do you project your current mindset and assumptions into past and future events?”

—Author Unknown

Image from Amazon

Over the past several years—and especially in the past few months—I’ve become increasingly interested in the phenomena of conscious and unconscious bias.

When I examined my upbringing and the various communities in which I operate, I experienced repeated rude awakenings.

It was always easier to see other people’s biases and be blinded to my own. Though books, seminars, and conversations with friends and colleagues, I’ve gotten a better look at myself and didn’t always like what I saw.

With greater awareness, I am inspired to do better, and filled with a sense of hope.

EXERCISE:

How aware are you of your current assumptions and biases?

When and how often do you use them to protect and justify your views?

Consider reading the book Caste — The Origins of our Discontents, by Isabell Wilkerson to take a deeper look into this important issue.

 

Bring yourself to this moment and experience it fully. Where attention goes, energy flows

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Bring yourself to this moment and experience it fully. Where attention goes, energy flows.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Shantung Kulkarni

During a recent holiday gathering I went out of my way to be a more focused observer of everyone in attendance.

Of particular note were the four children ages 2, 5, 7 and 10. Throughout our time together, it was interesting to see how present the kids were versus many of the adults.

With football games in the background and many cell phones in hand, it was obvious that many of the grown-ups could have benefited from some kid coaching.

EXERCISE:

Where are you most focused and attentive in your life?

How energetic do these experiences feel compared to when you are pulled away by competing distractions?

Friday Review: Blame

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Friday Review: Blame

Where do you notice the blame game being played in your world? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.”

 

 

 

“Finding fault replaces peace of mind.”

 

 

 

 

“If you blame it on someone else, don’t expect it to get better.”

 

 

 

On a Scale from One to Ten

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On a Scale from One to Ten… This post is a fill in the blank exercise.

Image from Unsplash by Mike Tinnion

Consider the following statements and choose the number (1-10) that represents where you are today.

My level of happiness is_______
The quality of my relationships is_______
My mental and physical health score______ and _____
My career satisfaction is_______
The level of balance and personal freedom I experience is_______

EXERCISE:

Create a list of one to ten items for 2023 and rate yourself.

Consider partnering with a friend, colleague, family member or coach to clarify, pursue and achieve far more tens in the year ahead.

A useful book that can help with this exercise is Your Best Year Yet by Ginny Ditzler.

I try to be available for life to happen to me

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“I try to be available for life to happen to me.”

—Bill Murray, American actor and comedian

Image from Unsplash by Alexander Grey

What does it mean to be available to life?

What qualities would you possess if life entered and soaked you, body and soul?

Consider all the experiences we have with our five senses. How fully do we use them?

What if we had super senses like certain animals or plants, and how they magically take in water, minerals, and mix it with sunshine to make food.

How alive might we feel?

EXERCISE:

Where are you even more active as you happen to life?

Where do your intentionality and efforts infuse the world with your special gifts?

What are you bringing to the party?

Don’t let finish line anxiety keep you from ever crossing the starting line.

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“Don’t let finish line anxiety keep you from ever crossing the starting line.”

—Stephen St. Amant, author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Joshua Hoehne

Many of life’s races have no specific timeline. Although we often have preconceptions that they exist, we can come to realize that many of them are just made up.

What will be accomplished and by when is often of our own choosing.

Even with this awareness we frequently fail to start because of some false milestone and game plan set by outside forces.

EXERCISE:

How can your most important commitments supersede your comfort to remain in the starting blocks of life?

How will you summon the courage to begin and run your own race?