-
NCL2- Session 6
-
11 Replies
-
This has been a great course. I have really enjoyed the material and enjoyed our conversations on the posts. When I think of where I am going from here, I feel like I just want more of what this course offered for awhile. It is great for me to explore and see new ways of thinking about my personal path and how that might combine with my career path. But I also have a sense that I could just stay in this space and not get to the next step because the exploring and discovery is just so much fun-kind of like a vacation for a psychologist. During the course I just got to go play in my inner world and nature-two of my favorite things, without having to take on the responsibility of using the material outside myself. I guess it is sort of like a professional symphonic musician who gets to finally join a rock band and just really jam. It helps that I now know that I am in the west so I can sense into how to navigate this part of the four shields and to sense what other part or parts of the shield call to me. When I get reflections from my friends and family about where I might go from here I hear some doubt and nay-saying. “Why change?”, “But everything is good where you are at.”, “It’s time to look at retirement, not re-tool for more work.”, “Look how much money this is costing you”. And the one that seems quite magnified, “You cant do this.” Etc. But I also get encouragement. “You have always been an explorer.”, “If anyone can do this, you can.”, “It’s ok to enjoy what you do.” So as those voices inside of me ping-pong back and forth I take little steps toward the “different” in my life that I wanted when I started this course, while I keep ahold of the bigger vision. Because it is the bigger vision that I know I never want to let go of now, no matter what form or expression it takes. Yeah for rock bands. (You all get the nature-connected metaphor, right?):)
-
Lisa, it sounds like these Nature Connected practices have been a great opportunity for you to explore and practice without any of the extra baggage or expectations. Practicing, playing and discovering without the need or attachment to outcome. And being in the West can be a great place to start to reflect and refine what has come up for you before moving into the North and then creating something new and beautiful in the East.
It also looks like a great opportunity to practice what you choose to focus on. For example, the different “voices” or input you are receiving from other people in your life. Which voices do you choose to focus your energy on? The ones that are trying to bring you back down to ground level? Or the ones that are lifting you up and inviting you to fly? Figuratively, of course.
And I loved the punny “rock band” joke at the end. Humor is always a plus when you are working deeply and intimately on your vision. Keep up the awesome work!
-
-
My next step is to continue relentlessly practicing the concepts from the leadership course. I need to continue to visualize and express my intention. This seems like it should be such an easy step but, since the class has been over, it doesn’t feel as easy to remain as engaged in the practice. I think this is why even though I have claimed my direction, which is to continue to the Coaching program, I have many days where doubt and uncertainty about that choice come in and wreak havoc on my progress and energy. Some days it’s like I forget I have the tools to work through it. I haven’t reached the point where utilizing the tools becomes normal habit. It’s still very much a “grab yourself by the collar and sit down and do it” type thing. But this is to be expected and it’s ok. The biggest of changes are the hardest to instill. The hardest part is trying to keep my mind reigned in. It tends to want to predict what is going to happen after the Coaching program but I haven’t even started the program yet, and won’t for several months! Haha. This is going to take some letting go and trust that I can have all of this unfold how I want it to if I can continue to put in the work, practice and intention setting for myself. I don’t need to worry about all of the little details right now.
-
David, it sounds like you are getting a first hand experience of becoming aware of the old patterns or channels while also consciously working on empowering these new patterns. Just like the metaphor of a river creating a channel through the canyon it can take time, energy and focus to re-route those old river channels towards these new ones that align with your vision. That is how our brain works and how these nature-connected mindfulness practices that we have covered are coming up for you! That is why we explore things like intention setting, Sit Spot, and Partswork so that you can empower yourself to step into this deeper connection to Soul-Directed living. I am excited to hear what shifts for you as you spend more conscious time sitting in this space. And the more time and focus through consistency then the easier it is for the energy inside yourself to flow down that new channel. Thanks for sharing what you have noticed and that you are committed to staying focused on this work!
-
-
What is your next step on the path of personal leadership. Are you needing to claim direction? Or, are you needing to deepen your expression? Or, maybe it’s both? How do you know this and why?
My next steps are to both claim direction and deepen my expression. The direction I need to claim is the South. I’ve had myself so overbooked that I have not fully integrated the practices that we learned by practicing them each day. I would do them for a couple of days, and then forget about them. This is a pattern that I’ve had for a long time–maybe my whole life. I think this ties in with with the South because I need to actually learn and experience the earth-based leadership practices with my BODY and not just with my head. I want to incorporate the practices into my everyday life until they become second nature. I plan to go back and re-listen to all of the recordings of the classes so I can integrate the material more deeply.
I also want to deepen my expression of Self-leadership in nature. I have become very bored and burned out with practicing coaching and counseling indoors. The first week after the time changed, I was working with a client via televideo at home after having worked inside all day with clients as well at my regular job. I looked out the window and saw my husband going for a walk on our property and I felt a deep longing, a visceral pull in my body to be outdoors connecting with nature. Since then, I have scheduled a 1 hour break after I get home from work before I start seeing clients in the evening. I couldn’t believe how strong that pull was for me to get out in nature!
I am also in the process of deepening my expression as a nature-connected coach. I feel both excited and terrified at the same time! The excitement stems from a deep knowing that this path is in the highest good of both myself and my clients. The fear stems from a lack of confidence in knowing “how” to do this work. I have been trying to find material I can read to help me learn how to incorporate nature into coaching & counseling. My Vision Council also told me to go out and practice/experience techniques myself as if I were a client, and then I will know how to lead these experiences.
Even though I feel scared and uncertain, I am pushing myself to grow and to step into my full potential as a nature-connected coach. I am offering a couple of free team building events that will incorporate the new labyrinth that we built. Does anyone know of a good resource–a book or article about how to use labyrinths for team building? I’m planning to ask my Vision Council and our Labyrinth as well!
Thank you so much for an amazing course. It is so rich and deep. I hope I can take more courses through EBI -
Practice – practice – practice. I know I want to, believe I am meant to, take the next step and join the NCC certification course in June. My concern is if I have the commitment to do it wholeheartedly. So I gave myself a challenge. If I show myself that I can do the work here and now by practicing what I have learned thus far, committing to a daily practice, living life the way I want to help others to do – practice what you preach – plus continuing to seek out knowledge in other areas. If I can do this consistently with wholeheartedness, between now and June I will know I am ready. So far so good, I am not perfect but am embracing this challenge, committing the time and seeing / feeling the growth. I am so appreciative for all the support and look forward to walking further on this path with you!
-
Hi Sheri!
I LOVE your challenge and I hope that it works well for you. I am thinking that just the thought that you give yourself this challenge means how much you are deeply into what NCC means to you. I just finished the first intensive and now have signed up for the full year. It feels like a relief to have made the commitment-that uncertainty can feel agonizing! But which ever way you ultimately choose, I wish you all the best. It seems you have the certainty for success no matter which way you turn. Good luck. I would love to hear what you decide.
-
Sheri, I love your challenge, and I bet it will transform your life! Enjoy!
-
You have all been on my mind and in my heart today. Hope this note finds you all well. Today I have had a clarity and confidence in my vision and moving forward with NCC that I have not felt before. I am excited to share that I have started filling out the application for the June NCC program!
How are you? What is happening in your life right now that you are excited about? Who else has / will be applying for the June group?
-
Hi Sheri,
Whoo-hoooooo! Congratulations on taking this step, and all that it entails for you. I just returned from the first toolbox intensive and am still really stoked by the learning that occurred as well as the personal transformation I see in myself. What a great gift you are giving yourself. I am here for you in whatever way feels right for you as you go through the application process and are on the path of growth and change. The very best to you and thank you for posting what you decided to do.
Lisa
-
-
Thanks Lisa, Your timing was great and the support needed! After announcing to you all my plan I woke the next morning with, what Brene Brown calls, vulnerability hangover! The doubts started creeping in just as I was working on the application…those “who do you think you are” and “why do you think you can do this”. But I am rising strong (if you are a Brene Brown fan you will get that one) and overcoming those doubts. Journaling and working my way through the questions and am amazed at the soul-directed answers and visions I am being gifted with as I do.
Keep connecting all,
Sheri