Making A Difference

State of Learning

"We are by nature observers, and thereby learners. That is our permanent state." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

As part of my natural state of learning, during the past two years I've been expanding my individual leadership coaching practice to also include coaching teams and systems. 

I'm excited to announce that I'll be taking a new step in my own development in team and systems work by undertaking a process to become certified in organization and relationship systems coaching (ORSC) during the next year.

As part of the certification program (which I will formally start in October), I am looking for new or established partnerships (work, couples, or family), teams and systems to work with. 

Since I'll be in learning mode, I'll be offering **special reduced rates** for this work, and would greatly appreciate any referrals you can make! 

If you, your team or organization or others you know might benefit from this type of work, please contact me!

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How can you nurture your natural state of learning?

Choose your view

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way." -- Charles Dickens

Is this the darkest era of our society, or a time of unlimited possibility?  Is the US economy dying or merely "right-sizing"? 

More than just simply labeling these viewpoints as "optimistic" or "pessimistic", it's important to notice that how we choose to look at situations changes our outcomes. 

I'm reminded of the fable of the blind men and the elephant.  A story originally from India, the core of the tale is of a group of blind men encountering an elephant for the first time.

Each blind man touches a different part, but only one part, such as the side or the tusk. They then compare notes on what they felt -- "an elephant is a wall!" "no, no, an elephant is like a sharp spear!" --  and learn they are in complete disagreement as to what an elephant is.  

"Reality" and "truth" vary depending upon our perspective, meaning that what can seem like an absolute truth is actually quite subjective based on what data we choose to use to gather and create our hypothesis.  Our beliefs in turn drive our actions.

Whether you are faced with diminishing resources within your organization, a lay-off, or a serious illness, is a door opening or closing?  How you choose to look at and respond to the situation -- as an opportunity to reorganize, reinvent, or reprioritize -- is up to you.

As Emerson says, "This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it."

What perspective(s) will you choose today? 
How does your perspective influence the actions you take?

To change the world, change your mind.

That's the tagline of Global Mindshift. 

With core principles of being present, being authentic, being inclusive and being responsible, they have a mission of engaging the world's people in conversation about what living in global community really means, and in creating models of creative action that help demonstrate its value.

Their blog has the full text of Paul Hawken's University of Portland 2009 commencement speech, if you're looking for a great dose of inspiration; their website is chock-full of resources to assist in global dialogue.  Check it out!

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How do you want to change the world?

What mind-shifts would make that more possible?

Spring's reminders

Here in the northland, where I live, trees are just starting to bud, early flowers are opening, and birds of all kinds are returning.  Spring, and its metaphor of renewal, hope and possibility, is everywhere in my world -- in the world outside my window, and in other worlds as well.

After many years of neglect, my garden is getting some of my attention again.  Working the soil, pulling up weeds and overgrown plants this past weekend, I noticed how I can easily I can create a new vision of beauty, despite absence of much recent consistent tending.  It's as if the garden has waited patiently for my return, and I feel welcomed by it again. 

I've also recently been putting more focus on tending my garden of friends (those beauties!) also somewhat neglected during the past few years tending young children, a career change, accompanying a dying parent.  Here also I have found much forgiveness, tenderness and response in these relationships with just a bit more tending on my part.

Even with myself, with my tendencies to sometimes put everyone and everything else first, I am finding that I am responding well to a new degree of attention, tending, and watering.  After much tilling of my own soil, seed planting, some tectonic plate movement, my body and spirit welcome the renewal of my care.

One of the lessons of 2008 for me was "Begin Again".  When we've strayed from the path, perhaps woken up in some ditch, we can start over.  It can be as simple as that.

Spring is the ultimate reminder of this -- to begin again.   Everything that was old, dead, drab, will begin again -- anew, fresh, renewed, growing.

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Where would the concept of "begin again" serve you in your life?

What is yearning for your attention?

How are you beginning anew today?

Healthiest Nation in One Generation

In honor of public health week (April 6-10), a word (or two) from your sponsor:

Let's face it -- as a nation, the U.S. is not nearly as healthy as it should be. Compared to other developed nations, we're lagging far behind.

But it doesn't have to be this way. We can make America the healthiest nation in just one generation.

Want to know more? Watch the Healthiest Nation in One Generation viral video today.

(Granted, I'm a true believer, but this video brought tears to my eyes).

Share the video with your friends and family and encourage them to get involved.  There are links from the video that can help you learn more, spread the word, and take action.

America can make this the healthiest nation in one generation. We all have to do our part. What will you do?