Perennial

Color Burst
Color Burst

Since making and tending personal change is more than often both difficult and important, I seem to come back to the garden. What better metaphors are there than plants and seasons? (Well, maybe roads.) Perhaps it’s because growing things mirrors the natural ebb and flow of the natural world. When chives bloom, the buds are hard and tight. They look like they’re about to bust open. When we practice new health behaviors, feeling like one is making progress, and seeing results is often challenging, at best. However, if we can make incremental steps, be as patient with ourselves as possible, celebrate each discovery, and watch things unfold, we may learn that change is indeed possible. Especially if we really, really want it, believe it’s possible, and know why it’s important to us. Most of us realize something different along the weeding and watering process than what we originally planted. We make adjustments along the way, amend the soil, put in a little more compost, add companion plants. We may even notice that what we have is a harvest after all. So little is linear and fixed in this world!

 

Leadership In One’s Own Life

Labyrinth, Duke Integrative Medicine
Labyrinth, Duke Integrative Medicine

 

Without sounding too simplistic, I submit that each of us can embody leadership. Now, leadership gets bounced around quite a bit in the coaching world. I propose that we each manifest leadership of our own life. Doesn’t great stress occur when we feel as if life is leading us? Yes, at times life deals cards that feel insurmountable and incredibly painful.

Regardless of career or life position, leading one’s own life aligned with values and purpose takes courage, intention, patience, humor, and wisdom, with a slice of humble pie.

“May I ask you a highly personal question? It’s what life does all the time.”—Kurt Vonnegut

The Vitality of Green

Smooth Surface
Smooth Surface

 

Now that autumn’s around us a bit, and even the insects are singing a different song, why not turn to growth or renewal? The season of fall marks beginnings and ends, as all seasons do, really, yet in the U.S. we are moving into the academic year. With our youngest launching to university any day now, this theme is particularly on my mind. My theme is “full house”, not “empty nest”, because this is a transition, not a syndrome, I believe. As challenging as it seems, what if we considered these not-so-easy yet normal, and yes, even celebratory moments as something that’s not about us, but someone’s else’s accomplishments, dreams and aspirations?

So, here’s the image I have. Strong green plant, firmly rooted in what seems like an unlikely medium…sand. Vibrant, growing,  both green AND brown. Often transitions or even gaps we sense are confusing, and unclear. So, what is a meaningful step you can take this next month to owning your life, your health, and claiming some vitality for you and therefore those you serve and love?

Like the “green” movement, aren’t we each renewable and sustainable in our own way? What will you recycle this fall?

 

 

 

Using More Senses

Outside Mat
Outside Mat

We start in Mountain pose. Some are standing on beach towels, others on yoga mats, a few with feet on the grass.  I stand on my mat, with eyes open at first, relishing the lush green, soaking in the misty,  fully humid morning. Then I close my eyes, hearing bird songs, lawnmowers, and children’s voices at play. My muscles feel relaxed and warm, and I am so grateful to be alive, outside, in this moment. The hour continues, with about sixteen sweaty practitioners quietly flowing through poses, with what feels like just enough instruction from our teacher. As  we begin sitting postures, a cooler breeze ever so gently floats by.  We end, and several offer thanks for this out of the ordinary experience. As we walk back into the building, a classmate comments on the outdoor component of class, with “You feel so connected”.

When do you experience, by happenstance, or on purpose, a sense that grabs you, in a good way? What amazes me is how our bodies are built to use our five senses, yet how often do we actively engage them to more fully learn, enjoy, change, then sustain change? We can choose to bring in one, two or more senses to a new habit, practice, or behavior, or one that’s established in our lives. Either way, we will remember the experience, and more likely to repeat it, especially if it’s pleasurable. The best classroom teachers know this. Our brains are both partitioned and bridged to adapt, and be aware. All we need to do is wake up and notice….one moment at a time, one sense at a time.

Click on the link below for a 30 second video that recreates what I heard this morning.

 Sounds on the Mat