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NCL2- Session 2
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16 Replies
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How am I living in alignment with my vision? What beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes need to shift or be developed to become more aligned with my vision?
My ability to live in alignment with my vision of having a retreat center on our land varies. I feel like this is a vision and not a dream, because the idea came to me at least 15 years ago, although I had no idea then how I could make it happen.
There are times when I feel afraid about this vision, and other times when I feel hopeful. When I’m feeling fear about my vision, I become tentative, and this is an attitude that I need to let go of, because it will not help me manifest what I want. When I feel tentative, I stop doing the things necessary to help my vision manifest.
One belief I need to keep reminding myself to shift is that my past doesn’t define my future. I recently asked my Vision Council what I can do to promote myself better. They reminded me “You’re not promoting yourself” but rather the amazing power of connection with nature!
Another belief I’m in the process of shifting is that logic is always the best tactic to use when problem solving. Using traditional logic, it didn’t make sense to purchase 8 acres of land, because my husband and I are in our 60’s. But, using a mixture of logic, and intuition, it seemed the right thing to do based on several other factors.
A behavior I need to let go of is caring what other people think. This is hard right now, because my in-laws are negatively judging me (very outwardly and verbally!) because of my vision.
Probably the hardest belief for me to accept right now that’s connected with my vision is the impermanence of the creek and my belief that this is a bad thing. I thought after the summer rains we were done with floods, but now there are ice floods that continue to expand and expand, and they make it very difficult to navigate the land because there is ice everywhere. I get so frustrated and want to give up My victim part takes the stage, and I feel like the Universe doesn’t have my back in trying to take people out for forest bathing. So, I’m in the process of learning to accept the impermanence, and that the Universe has a bigger plan that I can see, if I will just hang in there and not give up. Today after forest bathing on our land, I found a small piece of bark that has a shape that looks like an eye on it. My Sage part stepped in and interpreted it to mean that the Universe IS keeping an eye on me. Continuing these nature connected practices will help me live in more alignment with my vision.-
Tamara, I can relate to much of what you said. And you told your story well. After “taking it to the bottom of the stairs,” I’m just left with a bunch of statements and some of them don’t make sense.
Ash, I love your awareness too of how things changed for you and how you’re coming back to reconnect with the original passion.
I’ll have to take more time with what I received. I’m super tired and I somehow missed a large portion of the past two weeks. I can’t believe we call in again tomorrow! It was nice, however, to see how I am currently aligned with vision when so often I feel so far away from it. So much of my daily routine is in alignment and it just seems normal or mundane to me. That’s encouraging. An attitude or belief for me to change is to believe in myself fully. It seems that I may be holding a past-tense view of myself when I have gained so much more awareness, consciousness and skills since I started my work. It’s very challenging for me to hold onto myself, stay connected with my truth, in my most vulnerable relationships. This is a behavior to change that will help me stand strong in the face of disbelievers and critics as I move forward. I’m encouraged to “speak my vision” as I talk to people about my work. It has been challenging to know what words to use, but I’m aware that it’s the values and the things I’m passionate about that I’m to now speak. That’s a change in my “marketing” strategy. And I’m guided to meditate more. Of course, this makes sense.
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Thank you for being so open Tamara. It sounds like you are really taking this work to heart from what you shared.
I really enjoyed reading what you said about “I’m not promoting myself” but rather the power of connection with nature. This was a great reminder to myself in this work as well. It is easy to forget that this work is about connection and connection to something so much greater and bigger than just ourselves. And our past most definitely does NOT define our future, but we sure can learn from it. And when we learn from it and grow then we can take action into the future that is most aligned with vision.
When it comes to logic and what is “logical”, I see that as one of those words that is subjective and relative. We each have our own definition of what is logical and if we try to use societal norms as a compass for what is logical in our own life then we will never go down the path that was designed specifically for us. And that is why I was glad to see that you added logic and intuition together. Because when used together properly, those two are quite the dynamic duo! Kinda like mashed potatoes and gravy or Batman and Robin.
Which brings me to the last thing I wanted to share. There is one thing that nature shares along with the thoughts and opinions of others. We cannot control either of them. No matter how hard we try. And I see a deep connection between the two in what you shared.
So what do you do? Well what would nature do? WWND? And the first thing that comes to my mind is the word “adapt”. There is very little rigidity in nature, because strength is not rigid. It flows, bends and adapts to the situation. Just like tall mighty trees on a windy day.
So how can you learn to adapt to the never ending creek floods and ice? Maybe build a boardwalk through your property?
And how can you adapt to the way you are responding and taking on the thoughts and opinions of others? Even if they are family?
I would love to hear what insights you have to these questions!
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Hi Tamara! I can certainly relate to what you said about other people’s reaction to your vision. While I am finding a lot of support in my circle, there are also people who don’t get it. And that’s ok. I don’t need them to get it, this is my story to live and nobody else’s. And this is your story. At the end of the day, nothing can truly be wrong about the intentions we’re setting for our lives right now. We’re centered in bringing light to the nature we enjoy so much and wanting to share that with as many people as possible. You have a network of folks here in this class who will get just as passionate about your goals as you are, lean on us when you need to! Sometimes the universe has a way of asking us if we’re really sure about our chosen path and, at times, it may make it really difficult and sometimes undesirable to us. But if we can weather that gut check and stay committed, I truly believe harmony will come.
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The answer for this question came to me when asking my Vision Council for guidance before my first coaching session. A great level of information and awareness regarding this question came up, more than I expected. The simple act of asking for clarity about my vision was powerful and long. It was a really positive experience for me to do because it helped direct my focus on where I really (honestly) sit with my Vision.
I asked my Council to reflect to me what my Vision really was in this moment. The answer came; to become a guide. I thought about this, having been a guide for the last 7 years. So I asked, what do I need to become a guide. The answer came; to let go of action. I had to spend some time reflecting on this, because it seemed really counter-intuitive. But, as I did, a moment came to me when I felt first connected to Vision. I didn’t call it that at the time, but I recognize now that’s what it was. I was hiking by myself, on a beautiful spring day, and I was suddenly filled with inspiration to share wilderness with others. It’s hard to describe the excitement and desire that I felt. It was overwhelming and I was able to see it all unfolding before me with form and clarity. So, when I returned home that day I immediately began outlining what “to do” to bring the vision into the world. I thought this was the appropriate response. It felt right. But as I continued moving forward and taking action, the feeling faded away, and I lost my excitement first, and then even hope. My vision council helped me realize that I fell away from my Vision by taking too much action to control it and manifest it. I took control of what I believed to be the “right way” of constructing reality from my Vision. But the grip I had on the particularities, the details of it, killed it. Or dissolved it. I fell into quite a state of depression over time. I became very focused on achieving the dream, and very distracted from the experience of my own true vision, and the role that it could play in serving my needs and my communities. This practice of getting to the heart and truth of that experience has been extremely revealing for me. I look forward to rediscovering my vision as being a guide with new knowledge and awareness to fully embrace it. I recognize that Vision actually will change with each step you take, that it is elastic and dynamic. It is not fixed. Therefore I cannot be fixed. I need to practice fluidity in order to allow resonance from Vision. I need to be like a bird in the wind, accepting that sometimes you get blown into unknown territory.-
Hi Ash, I can really relate to the doubts and depression you’ve experienced around trying to create a career as a guide. I am in a similar stage with my coaching/guiding business. I take some steps to get started or put myself out there and then when it doesn’t work out (i.e. I had to cancel my retreat this weekend because no one registered), I feel really discouraged and it makes it hard to keep moving forward. I’m glad to know I’m not alone in that feeling.
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Hi Ash! As a true believer in the idea that “everything I need is on it’s way” or divine timing, I love that you have found peace in backing off from action. I sometimes catch myself feeling moments when I feel like I should really be doing something to support my vision and that can lead to uninspired tasks that aren’t truly helping the cause. They almost come from ego the saying “look what I did today. See? This is proof I care about my passion”. But the work wasn’t heart or soul centered and can take me down paths that feel way off base with my vision when looking back at them. I try to pay more attention to the ideas or inspired moments that come seemingly from “nowhere” that excite me and get me fully engaged. My vision can’t be built around a feeling of obligation to contribute.
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Ash, great insight and awareness around how you show up with your Vision. I read that you are fully aware of how you feel in context to achieving your dream compared to experiencing your dream. And I believe there is some deep truth and wisdom with your insight! And the word that comes to mind for me is INTENTION.
Our Soul, or Soul-Directed part of us, likes to chime in when we are in alignment or out of alignment with our vision. And it likes to chime in through our emotions and feelings. And from what I read in your post is that your Soul part is very aware that achieving the dream and being focused on the outcome is not in alignment with your vision. From what I hear your vision is the journey, the experience, and the great wisdom you learn along the way.
I know it can bring up sadness and depression when we are not in complete alignment with our vision, but at the same time these feelings and emotions are great context for when we are getting off our path! Without these indicators we would be chasing every pipe dream with no context on what is true and aligned for us. I look forward to hearing what other awarenesses and insights you come upon in the future as you keep on your journey. It sounds like you are dedicated and devoted to listening and moving forward with your vision!
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I am living in alignment with Vision now because I am here, asking myself hard questions and taking steps to improve myself and help others in the same way. When I first thought about vision vs. dream, I held on to my dream but I was not taking the step to see my vision through. This is where the vision counsel and going downstairs really started connecting me better.
First I want to say that the vision counsel was very powerful for me. They told me such wonderful inspirational words, it brought tears to my eyes. The words were that they believed in and this is support that I don’t provide myself but I should. Belief in myself is also where the hard question lies. I ask why and it is because I am hard on myself and don’t celebrate enough of my success. But if I gave myself those words of encouragement that my vision counsel had, I think it would help power me on my path of vision. -
After some very powerful and emotional sessions with my Vision Council I am feeling very led to continue this path of coaching with a desire to reassure all that they are never alone. Whether that means I personally walk with them or teach them to understand that we are all one, or somewhere between.
I will add that I believe we all have unique gifts and purpose in this life. I hope I can help others discover theirs.
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I feel as though I am living in alignment with my vision because I am finally doing what feels right in my life. I am heading down a path that I believe I am finally ready for and has been calling me for a long while. Since making the leap of faith and signing up for the NCC program it feels as through things have just been falling into place and it has been an extremely fun process to watch and ultimately be apart of. I have longed for something in my life to call mine and not follow in the shadows of anyone and I feel that I am on that path now. Excited to continue on this process.
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Hi Ben! This has been my experience as well in every single life-changing point in my life. When the idea or dream reached its tipping point and I was fully focused and committed to it, every person and every resource I needed just started arriving for me. There is no way to explain this other than complete alignment! Happy for you!
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In the words of Adriana, I am living in alignment with vision “because I am here”. I couldn’t agree more. Signing up for this course was a huge step for me in showing some of the less confident parts of myself that I mean business with my vision. I’ve had many conversations with people in the past about what I would like to do with my life if I could do anything and it was always consistent. I wanted a nature centered career that would aid in raising the quality of life for myself and others. The last time I had this conversation, my friend asked “what keeps you from pursuing this path?” To which I replied, “I get bogged down and defeated by not knowing where to start”. The following day, an advertisement for EBI showed up in my social media. A few days later, I was enrolled in Nature Connected Leadership and having conversations with Michael and Daniel about my intention to enroll in Nature Connected Coaching as well. Looking back with the knowledge I have now, I can see that I’ve had a major competing commitment keeping me from my vision and that was the comfort, predictability and the high paying salary of my job that I’ve since resigned from. In the time since my resignation I spent 2 months traveling the American West in a 100% nature based trip in my truck, towing a teardrop camper trailer. I brought a library of spiritual, transcendental, and inspiring books with me that literally helped me re-evaluate some of my beliefs about myself and my life. When I got back I was pumped about the experiences I had but also I was done with nature for a little while, haha. I’ve been volunteering my time in my community full-time with various organizations dealing with anything from hunger and homelessness to home hospice services. The idea to take my trip and dedicate my time to volunteering were both things that came to me from the most pure place when I left my job. And they align with exactly the things that my soul needs. “Nature based” and “raising the quality of life for myself and others”. This combined with the concepts I’m now learning from the course give me a lot of hope for my future. I’ve diligently spent time in my sit spot practicing them, even if I don’t fully comprehend some of them yet.
I definitely need to shift my mind from a place of doubt and uncertainty to a place of trust. I can sense a lot of inner turmoil going on about my capacity to really understand and execute some of the concepts I’m learning. This chatter sometimes leads to a lack of focus when trying to practice and apply them. I need to develop my mandala and work on really identifying my parts so I can start facilitating the dialog between whoever is disagreeing. I’ve been in the course about a week now and I think I have had restless nights every night! As annoying as that is, I am laughing about it because I can sense that it is the product of some powerful changes taking place and my ego holding on for dear life to my old ways and my old life. I also need to be more forgiving as I’ve loaded my brain with 3 sessions worth of material in a week, haha! I’m looking forward to these 2 weeks of getting to really dive deeper with it and not worry about being behind.
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Catching up to the class here. I’m still asking for a vision. I definitely succumb to doubt, but that may be because I’m confusing vision with dream. It seems like partly an issue of “scale” or the vision is the what and the dream is the how. I say this because when I think I’m pursuing a vision, I get frustrated because it’s not manifesting the way that I, well, envision.
That said, the journey into soul, for me, reminds me of what’s real. The first time I did the 7 steps practice, my soul presence was so real and comforting. It was, for me, a place of knowing and also accepting. It’s this level of awareness that is my own vision for myself. I’m not sure I could articulate it fully, and in that way it feels a little tenuous because it’s hard to bring it to light without being able to fully articulate it, and when I do put something into words, I start to question myself. So, what’s not in alignment? My own core beliefs tend to reinforce the message of unworthiness or self-doubt.
That said, when I’ve been asked what is my passion or my vision, it’s clear to me, sometimes so clear and solid, it comes out of me like it’s not my own voice, I am a prayer holder. I help people hold their prayers and hold them for them. I know spiritual, woo, woo stuff, but I’m feeling more and more, as I journey to my own soul, this is the vision that is being brought to me. Now, this might involve other parts, like coaching through nature or using nature to bring out or help people get in touch with their prayers.
I want to work with my council more to see what particular guidance they have for me in this vision. I’m enjoying feeling their presence though. Again, it’s a feeling of comfort and strength.
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Its very inspiring to hear such heartfelt reflection from you all. Its not always an easy task in our worlds, and I admire the level of reflection and sharing of what is a very personal journey. Thankful for everybody’s input and willingness to share openly.
Once I ensured “quorum” in my Vision Council (as I’ve come to learn, there are always “open seats” and we accept nominations from anyone/anything of wisdom and substance 😉 )…it felt as though there was a strong and welcomed presence and support around me. As a prolific “Solo Warrior” who admittedly struggles with asking for support at times or leaning on others, it felt reassuring and a source of strength to feel my vision council present and ‘at the ready’.
And this is a summary of what I learned from them that I wish to share here.
– The First lesson I received was that calling in support, even at this level is an act of strength. And specifically LEADERSHIP, as it allows the strengths of others and other perspectives to be heard. Recognizing and providing the fertile ground for the abilities and offerings of others to take root is a core leadership act/skill. A Leader intent on acting alone (aka Solo warrior?) is bound to meet an unnecessary and unfortunate end at some point or another. It is a required skill to draw upon strengths outside of ourselves. (this is of course a natural conclusion, but apparently I needed to hear it again from my newly formed council)
– The predominant lesson my council wanted to share, before answering the question directly, was that it was necessary first, to understand those parts of myself that were OUT of alignment with Soul and Soul’s Intention. This needed to be considered/addressed before identifying specific elements and potential misalignment (behaviours, attitudes etc) ….And then it came down to prioritization….all the ‘parts’ have ‘needs’ (or so they say) but Soul is to be the final conductor on the prioritization of those needs. Attempting to give voice to each and all of the needs at any one given time (and perhaps attributing it to being ‘multi-facetted’) really is creating a forum for chaos to ensue. There must be more order. Gentle order. Profound order that is agreed to amongst the parts to be the final touchstone for a Soul-directed approach to living. All voices can be heard, and acknowledged, however, SoulTruth, shall be the presiding voice of reason.
…Grateful to my Vision Council for this wisdom. As a starting point….Its like establishing ‘Guiding principles’ or ‘ rules engagement’ before the actual work of alignment to vision and transformation can begin. -
Hello to everyone, I am really trying to catch up now that I realize this course is actually available to me. I so wish I had joined right at the beginning. You all have such deep and wonderful insight for me.
How am I living my vision right now? Well, I am following the “something” that is inside of me telling me to go in certain directions. And I don’t know where those directions are really taking me. I am starting to “close the back door” already, and I don’t even know what I am moving toward! So as crazy as that is, in reading your posts, I think that I am not alone in doing this, and that you all have experienced this before. So the specific thing I am doing to live my vision right now is perfecting my understanding of some key concepts. It isn’t taking me too long to do this, as I seem to be able to flesh out the information that is going in the direction I am and that which is not pretty easily.
A big belief that has needed to shift and is shifting for me right now, is the belief that if I continue following whatever path this is while not knowing the outcome of the path (especially in monetizing it!) that my husband will suffer. I am a very responsible person, and that part of me would be very unhappy if it felt that I had let my husband suffer due to my sense of passion. I have been holding the possibility that I can both be responsible to him and to myself in this as-yet unnamed passion.
The vision council seems like it would be a terrific help for me. I have trouble accessing it for myself right now, except in a general sense of being there and surrounding me in support. But that is a big step for me right there, because when vision council was first introduced to me a few weeks ago, I was pretty sure I did not have a vision council and would never be able to have any kind of access to it. So I just keep sitting with what I feel and take at least one practice session a day to “turn up the volume” as much as I comfortably can with it.
