THIS MONTH’S CHALLENGE:

When I chose to make my theme for August “Gratitude”, little did I realise that it was going to be a daily practice of taking those small steps against my own scale. As most of you may know, I went through what was perhaps the toughest six weeks of my life. It demanded a lot of soul-searching, facing THE TRUTH (not my truth), dealing with loss, practicing presence (acceptance) and commitment (to wisdom to know the difference). Vacillating between self-doubt and self-acceptance I read “Mistakes were made….” (more in my reading list) I checked in with myself, my supervisor and a couple of good and trusted friends regularly – accountability checkups. I could move from a 0 (not a good place) to a 5 (better place) and gradually to a 10 (a good place). This morning, when tidying up my desk from all the Microsoft “How to…” guides I came across a book I bought, started reading, and then completely forgot about it! The title “VITAL LIES, SIMPLE TRUTHS” by Daniel Goleman is “… a penetrating analysis of the ways in which we deceive ourselves …our means of psychological self-preservation, the currency of survival in which society transacts” [adapted from the back cover].

“So what has this got to do with SF practices”?

You may well ask. Here is my answer:

I so  wanted to get to 10 quicly! My supervisor did all he could: really listened, ask the right questions… we even rebuilt the platform. With hindsight I think having an SF-Supervisor was not always helpful.

It was only after he shared his “VIEWS” with me that I could:

• embrace the real truth about the stumbling block(s)

• stop looking around • practise presence (breathe, and then some more

• accept responsibility

I could celebrate my 6 to 7; 7.5 to 8, and occasional my9 – before that 10. It was not all plain sailing: I could look at the 5.5; once even a -3! and explore what it was that I stopped doing, and recommit to more or of what worked.

My question to you: Are we mindful of being sensitive enough to our clients’ readiness to move, to co-create a thinking environment where there is space to breathe and to allow them to set their own pace? Are we always willing to work with our coach-mentor when we get stuck? Are we even willing to admit that we need to/ Wishing you all a great week!

PS!

 Using my experiences as a type of “case study” was perhaps a brave thing to do, or not… At least there was no confidentiality or ethical issues here! I prefer to believe it’s my willingness to openly walk my talk. “The quality of everything we do depends on the quality of the thinking we do first.” ~ Nancy Kline

PPS!!

And as we reflect on this case study, let’s consider also this quote: “Your body needs to be held and to hold, to be touched and to touch. None of these needs is to be despised, denied, or repressed. But you have to keep searching for your body’s deeper need, the need for genuine love. Every time you are able to go beyond the body’s superficial desires for love, you are bringing your body home and moving toward integration and unity.” – Henri Nouwen

Would love to hear your thoughts!

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