5 Ways to Smooth Out Potentially Messy Conversations
Conversations can be messy. When we account for different communication styles, varying worldviews, stress, timelines, competing agendas, children, chores, fears and trauma, we have good reason why a simple dialogue can spiral into triggers and chaos. And when a pattern of unhealthy communication forms, the walls get thicker and it becomes harder to speak candidly and address the meat of the problem and matter at hand. And so what can be done to limit this possibility? Here are five ways to smooth out potentially messy conversations: 1. Create a Signal: You and whoever may benefit from agreeing in advance to have a signal that an important conversation wants to be had. For instance, you agree that whenever one of you desires to speak to the […]
Yes, Trouble’s Brewing Out There, but Are You Playing, Living, Despite it All?
There is a lot of turbulence in the world, and it is very easy to dwell on climate change, the US election, Brexit and more. Don’t turn a blind eye to it all, but do notice how much you are turning towards the doom and gloom versus what makes you come alive, here and now. For those on the healing journey, the “spiritual path” as some like to call it, you may be inclined to inner-work yourselves to death, endlessly processing the fine far away corners of your psyche. And for all of us, we may find it easy to focus more on bleakness than beauty, folly than fun, problems than possibilities and play. Yes this is somewhat dichotomous, I’m aware, for there can be […]
Living in the Moment with Life’s Little Things
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.” ~ Robert Brault There is much talk about being in the moment these days. And yet, how do we live in the moment when we are so busy, when our minds race from one thing to another? And what does it really mean to be in the moment, anyways? For me, it is quite simple. It means savoring every little experience throughout my day as best as possible, resting in my senses—feeling the miracle of warm water caressing my back in the shower; smelling the sweetness of freshly baked muffins in the oven; imbibing the vibrant colors of the lilies and daffodils in the fields, the drifting […]
2 Ways to Appreciate Others
One of the skills I teach in my playshops is appreciation. Participants often realize afterwards how much they don’t express appreciation to co-workers, family and friends. When we think of appreciation we think of acknowledging what someone has done: That’s a beautiful painting. That project turned out really well. What an incredible back flip! What we often forget to do is appreciate the person behind the doing ~ who we see them being: I appreciate how imaginative you are. You put a lot of heart and determination in that project. You are so courageous to do that! Imagine you just shared a painting, completed a project or did a back flip – which form of appreciation would touch your heart most? Play with both forms. […]
Appreciating & Intending ~ Applying the Spirit of Yes And
As we move into 2011, some of us begin thinking about or acting upon new intentions. One of the intentions I have this year is to practice appreciating what I have in my life as a foundation for setting intentions and manifesting my desires. The Spirit of Yes And teaches us to acknowledge, appreciate and accept what is here in this moment (YES), and then to build upon it in creative ways (AND). Actualizing our intentions is more possible when we first appreciate what we have in our life now. By spending time daily acknowledging the good in your life, you are creating a strong foundation of abundance into which you can plant your seeds of intention. There is a saying that what you focus […]