broth, soup or stew – where are you?

No, this isn’t a post about cooking.
Although, if food could be used as a metaphor about choice and the quality of the menu items we pick daily, then perhaps this is a recipe for discovery about ourselves!

A new perspective (photo by Jo)

In class last week, we engaged in a variety of creative exercises to assist with our coaching studies. One morning we were handed a sheet of coloured art paper and a few pastels. Our task was to create the cover of a book we were going to write in the future about our past 5 years as professional coaches. Not only an excellent visioning tool to use with clients but what a great way to design our own future!

The title, “Broth, Soup or Stew – Where Are You?” came to me in the previous week when the term ‘soup’ came up a few times. Is a client comfortable sitting in their own ‘soup’ or is it slowing them down? When discussing scenerios that could be worse than soup, I said “they are stuck in stew!” Since clients come to us to accompany them as they embrace an exciting new path, I thought of broth as a healthy choice to sip on – or inhale in one gulp!

So as a coach, I ask: Where are you?

a good morning

What's up in the early hours besides me. (photo by Jo)

It’s 4 am and I can’t sleep.

I would usually hate this experience if I knew I had to get up in a few hours to go to work but it’s early Sunday morning – as a favourite chanteuse of mine, Irene Kral, would sing, “I’ve got a small day tomorrow”.

There is nothing in particular stressing my mind. My body processes my work load and sometimes it finds it’s way into my stories at night. No reason why my latest career pursuit would be any different… I watched myself going places and talking to people. However banal reliving my work may seem, I pause for a moment and smile at this tiny milestone – it was my first coaching dream!

So what else could be keeping me awake? I suppose devouring one (okay, maybe two) wedding cookies from Xoco Cava with my peppermint tea just before bed might have something to do with it. Well, if my body is going to remind me of such a delicious experience, then I guess I don’t mind.

So I’m awake. Usually if my mind or body disturbs me in the night,

clear space to be – part 2

One of the few objects that has followed me over the years (photo by Jo)

There is nothing like the universe coming together to provide an opportunity. Today, an assignment of mine was suddenly cancelled so my afternoon became free. I’d normally revel in a walk through my town but being a cold and wet day, I hopped on the tube and came home. Rather than get straight to work on various projects, I decided to treat myself to some fun and catch up on episodes of a favourite television show!

On the internet recently I tuned into the television series, Consumed with Jill Pollack. Families have their homes completely cleared out and they live for 30 days with the bare essentials. Then they return to their boxed up items in a warehouse and reduce a lot of it before bringing some things back home. Meanwhile, Darren Doyle builds architectural solutions in the home and Jill decorates to make it even more inviting to remain junk free.

I wrote about this show in my previous ‘clear space to be‘ post last month. I am inspired by the revelations of the families featured on the show! It all starts with host Jill stating: “It’s not just about getting rid of stuff..it’s about getting rid of bad habits. To have an appreciation for what’s really important.”

Discovery runs deeper than what is found in the closet

my own transition

Autumn colour - photo by Jo

September is my favourite month.

The weather is beautiful during the day and the apartment cools down at night. No melting in the oppressive heat with soft tar on the street sticking to my shoes. Air conditioning is turned off and the windows are wide open. True, I have packed away my skimpy sandals and white skirts. But it isn’t time for cardigans and corduroys. Not yet.

It is tough to ignore the ‘back to school’ messages telling us that summer is over. The evening air hints to the trees that it is time to shed their leaves. Once or twice I have noticed the scent of a wood burning fireplace somewhere in my neighbourhood. We have been conditioned most of our lives to buckle down at this time of the year and get things done. The new school outfit has already been worn. Conversations concerning Thanksgiving plans are taking place. Only (insert number here) shopping days until Christmas!

Life evolves and I can roll with it. It’s been years since I went to school but I have been back at it, with the goal of setting up a third career. It started with a passion

clear space to be

a calm living space (photo by Jo)

I recognize that I like things. Shiny glass, strong wood, textured fabrics. My senses resonate with the things I can look at and feel. (I really hate not being able to touch art at a gallery but that’s a post for another day However, I also like clean, open spaces with little clutter. A friend recently asked me where does my minimalist self come from? Hmm…let me think about that and I’ll reply at the end of this post. Meantime…

On the internet recently I tuned into the television series, Consumed with Jill Pollack. Families have their homes completely cleared out and they live for 30 days with the bare essentials. Then they return to their boxed up items in a warehouse and reduce a lot of it before bringing some things back home. Meanwhile, Darren Doyle builds solutions in the home and Jill decorates to make it even more inviting to remain junk free.

Okay, I enjoyed every minute of it!

wandering views #2

From time to time I read, with interest, posts on other blogs and I comment. Some responses have turned out to almost be posts of their own so I thought to put them here.

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Classroom as Microcosm by Siobhan Curious
“Should We Bid Farewell to the Academic Paper?”

Siobhan comments on a New York Times review of a book called Now You See It, in which Cathy N. Davidson asks “whether the form of learning and knowledge-making we are instilling in our children is useful to their future.”

The reviewer “focuses particularly on Davidson’s discussion of the academic paper. After reading insightful, well-written student blogs and then being appalled by the quality of their research papers, Davidson began to wonder whether it was the form, not the students, that was at fault.”

minimalistself says:
August 14, 2011 at 11:58 am
Great discussion going on here! LOVE IT!
Thinking of the “digital age upgrade”, I am reminded of two RSA animated videos. (there’s a great example right there…I’m listening to a lecture, online and it’s in pictures!
Check out:
Changing Education Paradigms – Ken Robinson
The Secret Powers of Time – Philip Zimbardo

There are many interesting statements in these presentations but I am pointing out their message about learning and living in a computer age.

transitions – interview #4

A celebration during Ella Porter's transition story

What transition did you make in your life?

The question of what transition I made is just as important as the question of when I made it. It was in the middle of winter 2007. While I was driving, I looked in the rear view mirror. As I looked back at myself I realized everything had changed. I had changed. I was living with, and married to, a beautiful and loving man for six years when I realized I was in love with a woman. It was as if every cell in my body had flipped over to reveal the letter “G” for gay, just like they would in Wheel of Fortune. In the minutes, days and years to follow this moment was the biggest challenge and change of my life. To live true to the spirit of who I am, I needed to give up and risk losing everything I had: My husband, my house, my things, my in-laws, my family and my friends to begin to rebuild a life that fit.