Grieving – A Reminder to Connect Adventures in Awareness Issue #7 - 2016 “The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.” - Helen Keller, American author, political activist, and lecturer (27 Jun 1880-1 Jun 1968) Grieving A Reminder to Connect Our little family is in the process of healing from the recent passing of Sebastian, our beloved canine ‘child’ who, for almost 15 years, was a kind and loving friend to each of us. We all were nourished by his joyous and playful spirit, and looked forward to his enthusiastic welcome any time we came home, whether we had been gone 5 minutes or 5 days. We’re now beginning to be able to talk about him - most of the time - with fond memories and smiles rather than sadness and tears. While this time has been a challenging and painful one on many levels, it has provided a space in which I’ve been reflecting on the preciousness of the time we have each day to engage in our life and relationships. At this point, whenever I feel the presence of Sebastian in our home [which is often] I take it as a reminder to give my time and attention to those I love. Perhaps my heart needed this visceral opening as a reminder to regularly set aside my tech toys, books and TV, and engage more fully with my friends, family and community. It’s also been a reminder to prioritize...
Spring Cleaning – Taking Stock Adventures in Awareness Issue #6 “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.“ - Maya Angelou, poet, civil rights activist, and memoirist (4 Apr 1928-28 May 2014) With five planets in various stages of retrograde and a New Moon [see ‘Energy Soup’ reports below], I’m sensing that this signifies a time to slow wa-a-a-ay down, rethink and then create anew. Toward that end, I’m following the wisdom offered in the visual below to take stock of what now makes my life amazing, and then clearing out anything that prevents more amazing things to show up. I invite you to do the same!CONTINUING THIS ADVENTURE INTO AWARENESSAsk yourself, “What is amazing about my life right now?” and, “What’s missing, that if included, would make my life even more amazing?” I invite you to consider these questions and, as you do, notice what new awareness emerges from within you. And please remember to have FUN on that awareness adventure into the question, okay? Happy exploring!Amoráh ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: UPCOMING EVENTS SEP 14 2016-DEC 21 2016 - ICF Competency Brush-Up Program - 16 ICF CCEs- I designed and love playing with other coaches in this program. Please join me for this adventure in learning and professional development! JUN 23-25 2016 - ICF Midwest Conference - Theme: “The Crossroads of Coaching” in Indianapolis IN - COME JOIN ME THIS SUMMER for my Plenary Session with Ann Betz & Ursula Pottinga [co-founders of Be Above Leadership], THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON COACHING! MONTHLY - Are you a coach yearning to hear experienced coaches in...
Happiness May Be a Choice – Wh-a-a-a-t?!? Adventures in Awareness Issue #5 - 2016 “Be happy with what you have. Be excited about what you want.” - Alan Cohen, American author of inspirational books, including The Dragon Doesn’t Live Here Any More (5 Oct 1954- ) What I’m noticing is that many of my clients and friends are grappling with being unsettled with ‘happiness’ in some way or another: seeking it, or missing it, or experiencing new levels of it. While I’ve certainly ‘been there, done that’ across the span of my life, I’m having a different experience these days. Where in the past I would have been unhappy about something or someone for hours or even days, now I more often find the humor, the compassion and the letting go happens for me in seconds or minutes instead. My happiness restored, I then move ahead on the adventure that is life, with its ups, downs, and everything in between. Within the circle of my closest ‘peeps’ who are in various stages of exploring ‘happiness’, I’m finding my thoughts are meandering purposely to identify what I want to create next in my life. Rather than going about it as I have in the past, I’m intentionally drifting, following my whims to see where it takes me, and what feels right. As I do so, I’m experiencing a deeper sense of peace than ever before and my work and play intersects seamlessly throughout my days. It appears that I’m choosing happiness as my usual state of being, and I’m loving the feeling! As we enter New Moon and Mars Retrograde...
Making Time Adventures in Awareness Issue #4 - 2016 “Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” - Carl Sandburg, American poet, writer, and editor who won three Pulitzer Prizes. (6 January 1878-22 July 1967) Making Time Flowing Into Introspection My professional and personal development journey took me to magical Sedona (Arizona) last week, where I participated in the first of three modules about Human Consciousness Architecture. I’ve deliberately created ‘white space’ in my calendar this week to reflect on and integrate what I learned there. I’m also contemplating what I experienced about myself as I explored these new perspectives. New pathways are opening for increased self-awareness and effectiveness in human interactions, and I’m excited about weaving them into my coaching and personal relationships. By Carl Sandburg’s quote in the sidebar, I’m choosing to invest my time in this integration process, making my message this time purposely brief. CONTINUING THIS ADVENTURE INTO AWARENESS What is your belief or attitude about making time for introspection and integration in your life? I invite you to consider this question and, as you do, notice what new awareness emerges from within you. And please remember to have FUN on that awareness adventure into the question, okay? Happy exploring! Amoráh THE ENERGY SOUP REPORT: Since we’re all inextricably interconnected to each other, our planet, and our universe, here are some of the energies we’re all swimming in together right now: Full Moon - Feb 22nd...
Speak Up or Shut Down Adventures in Awareness Issue #3 - 2016 “How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.” - Dr. Dwayne Dyer, American self-help author & motivational speaker (10 May 1940-29 Aug 2015) Speak Up or Shut Down Becoming More Mindful in Challenging Conversations and Situations In many of my conversations over the last several weeks I’ve noticed what seems to be a trend that has piqued my curiosity and reminded me of those times when I’ve chosen to either shut down or speak up during an awkward conversation with someone. Since February’s theme is “Committed Choice” [please see ‘Energy Soup’ below], it seems to offer an opportunity for engaging in conversations more mindfully than ever before. And Wayne Dyer’s quote in the sidebar hints at the soul-level opportunity of engaging with others from a different and more mindful perspective, recognizing that how we react is a ‘choice,’ made either consciously or unconsciously. A couple of my coaching clients are currently navigating the waters toward their next ‘committed choice’ regarding fundamental relationships that they’ve recently recognized as being emotionally challenging to the point of being untenable. They’re seeking a balance between their values of trust, integrity and self-care; they’re examining their fears about how others will perceive them if they make different choices; and, most importantly, they’re calling forth their courage in speaking their truth in ways that are respectful and yet set clear boundaries. Their first step has been to name the situation as it is rather than making excuses for the other person’s behaviors, and to face their fears about the...
Milestones Adventures in Awareness Issue #2 - 2016 “A life of ‘enough’ is born in every moment - in the way we listen, the way we respond to the world, the way we see what is, and tell the truth of who we are. Every single choice, every single moment, every change of course can bring us closer to a life of peace, contentment, authenticity, and easy sufficiency, a life of being, having, and doing enough.” - Wayne Muller, executive leadership mentor and author (b. 1953) Milestones Reflections on living ‘a life of being, doing & having enough’ Over the past two months, I’ve marked two major milestones in my life: finishing my 18-year tenure on faculty with inviteCHANGE, an ICF-accredited coach-training program, and entering my 65th year. As a result of these events, I’ve been immersed in reflections about my life, my work, and my future. My colleagues at inviteCHANGE created a moving completion party to acknowledge and celebrate our teamwork together over the years. In forming a constellation timeline with all of us, we lined up in order of when we joined the organization, beginning with me in 1997 and ending with the newest team member. One of my colleagues pointed out that this line represents the lineage of my contributions to the world of professional coaching, and that it doesn’t stop with the newest team member but continues ad infinitum for all who follow. That realization took my breath away in its enormity, and as each person shared what they appreciated most about my interactions with them, my heart flowed with gratitude and appreciation for the...
