Matthew Nannis
Forum Replies Created
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My practice client is a new neighbor in the neighborhood and we often pass walking our dogs. She saw me getting a leash out of my vehicle, asked what the logo on the car was about and in no time we got to talking about EBI and this program! Here began the conversation about the curriculum and practice clients and, after 3 more path crossings, we set up a practice session down at Carrier Park by our houses.
I began the session by sharing with the client how appreciative I was that she was interested in meeting me down by the river and asked if she would be open to some deep breathing, grounding exercise to fully come into the space. She was all for it saying she was a little scattered and embarrassed (she was like 10 mins past our agreed upon start time and appeared/projected a decently flustered energy). We followed up by sharing some time in a brief 5-sensation meditation which I front loaded with an invitation for this to be an opportunity to formally orient ourselves with the space where we were and maybe release some echoes of grip on whatever we had both come from (we began at an available pavilion at a riverside park on my side of town). I noted the content of the explanation provided by the client before we began doing some grounding exercises and kind of ear marked some of that content to see if it might present itself again as we came out of our 5-senses meditation and began an approach of whatever the severance process might look like.
There was an immediate naming of having to play “roles” in various settings and I was curious/hopeful that there would actually be an opportunity to navigate some parts with her and felt, admittedly, an amusing amount of relief around not having to direct our session in that direction (I certainly did not INTEND to do so! Though I am aware of a sometimes subtle desire to USE what we talk about during intensives and webinars in sessions…this situation saved me the trouble! Ha!)
Our pavilion starting point was one right by the riverbank, and she asked if we could move and talk, that she’d been sitting all morning and wanted some movement. She led the way and we came to one of many trees that grow almost horizontally out of the bank parallel to the water. She said she was feeling playful and asked if we could inch out over the river on the trunk of the tree. I had a moment of pause wondering if I might voice curiosity around that playfulness and how that fit in to the scope of various roles she mentioned “playing” when she first arrived. I decided to go with her energy and not my curiosity and we inched out over the river’s edge and found a spot for us both to sit.
The rigidity of her shoulders and face melted and she swayed her feet in opposite directions like my niece did when she was 5 and on a swing! I asked how she was feeling and eventually what she felt was drawing her over the river. It was genuine curiosity considering the stark difference in how she carried herself the moment she put together the potential of climbing out on this tree! The result was me saying next to nothing for the next 15 mins. She named how refreshing it was to “be above the chaos” for a little bit (we had had some rain, so the river was flowing faster than usual in this part of town). She said she felt an excitement about being over the water in work clothes (she had swapped out her shoes for sneakers, but still looked like she was going back to an office afterwards).
I asked some “buffering” type questions keeping her in the parts as they came up, or rather highlighting what I was perceiving when energy, pace of speech, intonation shifted. And she was amused at the highlighting when I would ask “how are you feeling now in this moment as you’re talking about ____” It felt like the highlighting was well received and appreciated…and also felt like she was fascinated. I did not say “Partswork” nor do I think I even said part, as in “what part of you…”? I reflected her words back to her in my questioning. If she said “Sometimes I feel as if I have to ___” then that’s how I phrased asking further into it. If she mentioned wearing a particular hat or mask, I said “hat” or “mask” …
The way in which she jumped at the playful environment and how quickly her whole being reflected that youthful, more playful (more playful seeming to me, anyways) setting, it became a fun experience simply to observe!! The way I was once hoping to encourage the client to seek out/find metaphor in a walkabout when we were up in Gunnison was now genuinely allowing the client to take the wheel of the session (not simply inviting the client to, but stepping back and being silent long enough to see them actually do it).
We got to a space after the 3rd time I asked if she was feeling any different in speaking about a particular topic as it seemed to me that her posture had shifted again, that she flatly asked what was going on that she kept acting like kind of different versions of herself while we were talking. I said I wasn’t really sure and asked if that was something that she wanted to explore a little bit before we got together again for another session. She agreed to lean in to this kind of surface level awareness (her words) that she felt like she was tracking through a few perspectives around one or two topics of our session. I said it sounded like a cool place to hang out in between now and our next session (we decided on 5 days later, same pavilion) and I was excited to hear what she noticed in the asking when we got back together.
I’m curious what will come up in the in-between and think a partswork poster would be a cool activity for her as she seemed super curious around what we were noticing as she talked about her work/life/home balance. We’ll see how she feels about it next time we get together! -
SUMMARY:
I have found that the work that Derek introduced during the intensive at the Starhouse was such a powerful expansion on my perception of the sacred space that exists during a coaching session. That there is so much fun to be had in that space, that its sacred nature does NOT need to infer rigidity. This is a new approach to much of the things in my life, including coaching/group facilitation. And it is cool to give myself, the space of a session, and the client permission to move around within that space. From practice sessions, it’s been valuable to appreciate, much as I’m hearing Amber and Melody reference, just how much the coach can bring to the session before any words are uttered. Finding that comfort in speaking less, allowing the energy to percolate and take more of a lead role in the session rather than filling that space with words…as we move further in to more somatic work, seems fitting to invite client/coach/session into that space with sensation and awareness and not potentially muddy it with words, which I find can often limit the experience and almost create a disservice. Honoring the story, while still pressing through with intention and awareness, feeling the feels, not necessarily describing the feels. Allowing for experience to take shape rather than pushing or insisting upon a narrative around that experience…yeah, letting the experience itself take the lead during the session; focusing less on the ability to describe it…seems like a cool direction to be heading in…and being present for the client and naming that approach can hopefully help to assess it’s effectiveness/appropriateness on a case by case basis. -
Hi Kim. I am so intrigued by doing a coaching session with a friend, close or otherwise! So much wonder around the impacts of the relationship that already exist with the new dynamic of coaching? Or if there is a new dynamic of coaching…my experience with you as a practice coach is so familiar and level-playing-field-esque that I would assume it to be something you would navigate with grace and compassion. You naming the awareness that you had to sort of catch yourself, further illustrates for me the caution of assumption in this work! It also brings up a lot of my own stuff around “What hat am I wearing now?!?!?!”…I am curious how you and/or your client would feel about engaging in an experiential setting/environment where either/one of you was not “most relaxed and freest”. If that might be a fun access point into the present moment experience… and how to play with that invitation as a coach?!
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“Participating” in online discussions from months back! Oy. I have such appreciation and respect for you all and your ability to stay present and committed to this curriculum in a timely manner. I am grateful to have the opportunity to re-engage with you all and this work in a more formalized setting, albeit quite delayed! Nadine, I so appreciate this curiosity and was just talking to a friend about the inherent influence of the present moment experience on the past…that where we are in this moment, with all that has occurred between this moment and the events we are reflecting on, inform the past experience. It can be a fun exploration to dive in to! RABBIT HOLE WARNING!!! That said, I find that, if we can navigate in and out of the “story” of “catching up” there is real juicy insights available in the exploration. What WAS coming up for me_____ vs what IS now coming up for me one week/some time later around the same topic or questions…it can open up so many access points into what’s changed for the client, inviting awareness into an isolated timeline, and if/as that awareness informs the present moment experience: where are you noticing a shift NOW? Can be a real fun exercise of engagement and has unfolded as an effective tool to slowly incorporate awareness INTO the story and can help cultivate a shift OUT of the story and INTO the awareness practice itself! Hope that translates through a message board! Tough to explain!
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I found myself engaged in active listening from the initial point of contact. I have incorporated a consistent practice of settling myself and practicing the check-in procedure I facilitate with my groups to invite them into the present moment experience with myself prior to approaching a session with any clients – truth be told, I have set the intention to incorporate a degree of this before leaving my house! From the outset, I was so excited for the practice client and named that immediately. My perception is that, through modeling authentic joy for them and their decision to take a look inward, there was a solid establishing of trust and team approach before we even got past the first few minutes of our conversation.
I should clarify that this session was over the phone. We had discussed, via email, meeting in person and then scheduling was tricky. I had suggested Google Hangouts and they were concerned that internet connection would not be sufficient, so we settled on getting started over the phone. I approached the exchanges around the scheduling of the actual session as the session itself. The client hinted at hesitation/skepticism around any semblance of connection being possible if we were not together and outside. I honored that concern while inviting a reframe that perhaps what I was perceiving as an expression of doubt (they used the word “doubtful” and phrases like “I don’t see how…” “but we won’t be outside…”) might have underlying curiosity around it. They were receptive to their voiced doubt as being a barrier to curiosity, and we booked a phone session.
The session went through several pacing shifts as we began. From slow and seemingly hesitant to energized and vibrating as we got through some story and into some conflict. During the slower, initial minutes of the hour, I tried to be aware of the client’s breath and, through asking for clarification, was able to establish that he was sitting in an old desk chair (it was SUPER audible when he shifted his weight during our time together). I focused on not filling these quieter, ‘slower’ parts of the exchange and found that this helped to further establish space between us. Not space separating us; rather connecting us.
The sounds from these quieter, initial portion of our session informed baseline shifts throughout our time together, and I would point out my awareness of these noises as they came through. I attempted to do so with humor and playfulness and curiosity; highlighting with comments such as, “I’m wondering if anything is coming up for you around this—sounds like pacing…”
I felt that the session might be heading in the direction of some well-rooted introjection, yet decided not to name this curiosity and allow the conversation to continue to unfold. We, instead, moved forward together with a dialog around their experience and movements as we casually connected over the phone. It occurred to me, as we reached about 40 minutes into the session, that I had been approaching our first session as a ‘guided tour’, if you will, to just how there is room for powerful connection through a phone session with a guide…almost as if I was providing a DEMO of our potential work together. I made a decision to name this awareness for myself, and asked how that landed with the client. They said that they hadn’t felt as if it was a test-run…and then paused for quite some time…I held that space and waited for what felt like the “more” to come. And it did! They named that they had had a few conversations with peers about how doubtful they were that this could “work” over the phone and that they had been sort of car shopping and test driving. I can’t name any audible shifts in tone, pace, or even movement from over the phone; however, as soon as we both identified this lens through which we apparently were both engaging, the energy dropped and we might as well have been in the same room!
I asked if I might turn inwards for a moment and explore why I was easing an agenda onto our time together and was granted some time; acknowledging that this was the clients session and not my own, I offered up that I felt it could better inform the duration of this session as well as future sessions together and invited the client to ask in to where their hesitation may be settling.
Based on time restraints, we decided to set up 2 more sessions, specifically over the phone, to continue to navigate what had come up as our time together was closing. Seemingly creating the session itself as the “Experiment” to shake up that homeostasis and reframe/reorganize the experience…hopefully more free from what we BOTH brought in to it.
It felt great to own what, upon reflection, felt like a subtle agenda—almost defensive in nature—that I had invited in to the session. And the naming of it really created tangible contact between us during the session…we were both in it up to that point, or so I perceived; however, the connection through that highlighting solidified something. Excited to see where it will unfold from here and think that we will begin subsequent sessions with some more intentional grounding and breathing. Maybe a naming exercise to see what we’ve brought with us…so fun! -
I have often felt challenged by the transition of theoretical/intellectual into practical/applicable. There is a often uttered cliche in the circles I frequent, “Utilize, don’t analyze.” I find that I am still stepping towards action, and not simmering in a perceived safer zone of thinking/planning/asking. I appreciate the inherent value in these steps as part of the process overall; however, I can also appreciate my tendency to sit in that pre-contemplation/contemplation state and set up shop for a good long while. Reading everyone’s responses throughout this module; through the own awareness, on a visceral level, of how my own body and heart react to the readings of this module; and having just watched some of you on the webcall that took place this past Wednesday, I can say that I am taking away so much strength and excitement to walk towards the action steps (though I am still not all that sure what those steps are! 😉 )
I am also investing (I almost wrote “re-investing” though that would imply I had formerly done so previously…which I have not!) in a regular practice of cultivating vision, dropping in to that vision, and getting pruny in there. I feel pleased with the partnering of both this visioning and taking some action steps in the development of myself as a guide, as an individual, and as a member of my community.
Cy’all in a few hours!!!!! -
So here is what I was going to write as my response for an ideal client:
I feel that there’s some turbulence in my answer to this question. Or, rather, an unresolved evolution. The population with whom I am pulled to work is the one that my organization is developing collaborations with across my county. I have no doubt that, for this part of my journey, the pull is to incorporate what I know and am in the process of learning as it relates to Nature-Connected Coaching into the experiences facilitated between PIVOTPoint WNC and programs working with individuals in the early stages of recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
At the same time, I cannot shake Rogers’ assertion that “our clients are mentally healthy,” (Coaching Skills, pg 243). Clearly, her context is executive level coaching; and, while the population I wish to work with certainly can, has, and will continue to benefit from the supportive dynamic between guide and client, this simple assertion on her part has me considering a new approach to my path: that of incorporating the guide work into my company’s group outings, and quite separately working with a population that is more of an executive level, if only superficially (superficially “executive”, NOT working superficially). I mean to say that, perhaps, there is value in working one on one in a coaching role with corporate executives and such to provide stable income and allow me to provide myself with a comfortable lifestyle; such that I can direct my nonprofit to expand its reach and support more generally underserved populations navigating early stages of recovery from SUD.
I have gone back and forth on this for a decent amount of time and am not sure where I land just yet. Even as I type this I see how this embracing of the natural environment as mirror, stage, container for healing and growth, for identifying a deeper need within a client, for drawing it out is so awe-inspiring in its efficacy with those I am currently working with. And that experience, having witnessed that regularly, is juxtaposed with a thought I can earn less from my nonprofit, financially speaking, if I work as a Nature-Connected Coach with a more affluent/privileged population in the area to provide a revenue stream to allow for a family life…
I think, if I had not caught myself through honest observation, I could’ve continued to dance around what is simply a financial insecurity playing tug-o-war with the actual answer: I will figure out, however I need to, how to bring this work to small groups of individuals (as well as 1-on-1’s) in the early stages of recovery from SUD. The authenticity, feedback approaches, active and reflective listening, every element of this work has proven an essential lifeline to my own healing, growth, and exploration of my experience. I do not wish to keep this experience to myself. Young’s simple assertions, too, landed solidly with me while reading. “Many adventures have come about because of simple listening,” (Coyote’s, pg 184); “Bring about awareness that behavior and attitude create “concentric rings” of disturbance on birds and animals, and also on ourselves and other people,” (pg 185); “It doesn’t matter what avenue brings people to [a] heartfelt connection, it only matters that they find it. This connection is what brings about a sense of meaning in our lives—it deepens in each one of us a sense that we have a special place in this precious world.” (pg 194). I cannot read these truisms without immediately/simultaneously applying these concepts to the groups of young men and women I take out on hikes currently; without considering how wonderful it will be to present this lens to the state and county funded programs with whom I will be collaborating in the near future. Incorporating “routines of invisibility” as presented on pg 185 of Coyote’s Guide in our small groups, and then processing how to incorporate that practice into their halfway houses/sober living situations, bringing it into their work environment, into the recovery meetings they attend, into the homes and time spent with newly mended relationships with immediate family members…the applications seem boundless.
As far as what common goals would be and currently are for my clients (my current clients are pretty d*mn ideal!) is that of cultivating self-reflection, self-regulation, interpersonal dynamics skill building, and physically experiencing an expansive experience beyond preconceived limitations. I will continue to explore stewardship opportunities with the local environmental protection organizations in my area, leveraging our group experiences and healing into preservation and protection opportunities for my program’s participants, while further expanding their network and connection to our community at large. Cultivating purpose and drive is such an essential element to sustainable long term recovery…from anything! The language of this work centers around identifying a deeper need, what a beautiful way to support my clients!
I have often considered PIVOTPoint WNC a niche application of organizations such as First Descents, which provides subsidized experiences (more adventure focused than self-reflective and introspective) for cancer survivors and other terminal diseases; and Muddy Sneakers, which I have viewed as a beautiful pre-emptive approach to remind us all about the beauty of the natural environment, (Their tagline: “An environmental education program that works with 5th grade public school students to awaken in children a deeply felt connection with the natural world.”). I think that First Descents makes some assumptions, both reasonable and broad, about the deeper needs of an entire population (something which I feel PIVOTPoint WNC does as well) that there is a deeper need for what we, in our cohort, have often touched upon, a sense of Awe. In their organization’s own words, “First Descents provides life-changing, outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. First Descents assigns a deeper need, which in all likelihood is legitimate, and empowers its participants through one-of-a-kind adventure opportunities around the globe…which, in turn, promotes unity, purpose, joy, and healing.
Muddy Sneakers offers up various educational programming to school systems to help reinforce this science of Awe at an early stage of a child’s life and, perhaps, might stave off technological dependencies in the long run. It is not in the same vein as the healing, empowering work of First Descents, per se; however, it is a deep cultivation for what is most assuredly, across our entire western civilization, a deeper need!
I have actually reached out to and heard back from First Descent’s Chief of Staff and have since inquired about the generalized guidance/approaches that they have found most beneficial in their work, in the hopes that I might apply such strategy to PIVOTPoint WNC as it goes nonprofit. We shall see! -
In summary of foundation 3, I am struck by how passively I have observed myself “getting through” the initial stages of the severance ceremony. I find myself focused largely on the time restraints of each session, or the rigidity of the activity that we (my client and I) have agreed to engage upon. There is too much planning around my sessions, I have come to realize. In that, if someone hires me to go for a mountain biking session, I am challenged to stay true to the intentions underlying the session — that of goal oriented work around deeper needs and growth. I am finding that the offerings of activity are overshadowing the real gritty and fun work to be done on an energetic level/on a healing level. I have, through Coyote’s Guide book in particular, developed a strong pull towards removing the gear from any and all 1-0n-1 sessions…allowing for their place to be better suited in a group outings/dynamic, where there is far more time to play and reflect upon what these movements/activities bring up for clients – both in the group dynamic and individually.
This module, listening to the video, and reading all of your powerful/insightful reflections and feedback have truly focused down with clarity that my current course of approach to 1-on-1’s is too confined, and too full. While I am holding space and practicing active and reflective listening, challenging clients, and supporting them free from my agenda of wanting to perceive progress on their behalf; I am still enforcing my agenda on them in logistical ways: we have to finish this loop in 1.5 hours. “This part of the loop” is perfect for a threshold experience and the client must wait till we get to “this spot” before we play in that deeper need…I’m too caught up on the window of access that I have with my client, the bikes & SUPs don’t fit. And I’m forcing them in as a gimmicky marketing tool, because they draw clients in…
No more, I think! I’m okay with this new awareness/belief, and am grateful it has arisen.
Refocusing on the client’s journey and allowing for more room for them to explore/dance/play in the spirit of balancing Rogers’ words/guidance with that of Young (leaning, admittedly, into Young’s more so…) -
Right off the bat, I appreciate the idea of gaining a collaborative awareness of how the client has managed to get up to the point of the initial meeting. In that vein, the idea of “breaking through the feedback-exclusion zone” through Jenny Rogers’ 3 core questions is brilliant (and I can recall their presence, or similar ideas, in some initial sessions with my EBI graduate!) The idea that a simple dialogue/exchange around the client’s perceptions of his/her past provide valuable insights into how the client currently processes confrontation, challenges, relationships, intimacy, trust, et al seems so obvious, and yet, I can also fully appreciate the impulse to skip past or rush through the back story in an ego-driven hope to display a coaching prowess!! The framework presented in this stage (pg 108 of the 3rd Edition) are helpful in navigating the session as a coach, and NOT as a counselor or psychotherapist. I find myself taking pause at this early portion of this assignment’s readings in that I have been discussing with my CSAC clinical supervisor, the supervision group, my EBI mentor, and I also pose it to you all, how one navigates the “stay in your lane” mantra when you may wear several hats yourself? I like that Rogers insists that we leave the interpretation for the client to do, freeing me up to simply hold space for the path to unfold for the client…another helpful tool to keep my agenda from potentially creeping in!
Appreciative of the warning against relying too heavily on questionnaires in the realm of having the client bring as much information to present a well rounded vision of their present situation as possible. This portion, “Using psychometrics skillfully” (pg 122) is full of warnings to heed and I hope to! Acknowledging that the use of “a questionnaire or any other coaching tool [as a way of exerting control over the client and over your own fear of incompetence].” (122) lands solidly for me. And is yet another glimpse into the impostor syndrome thread that ran through the bulk of our first intensive, for any of you who worked with me as that week progressed may likely attest to.
“Where a client believes that nothing needs to change then there can be no coaching.” (pp130). Read that again! I have already come across instances in my short time with 1-on-1 sessions on the trails where the initial plan, from the client’s perspective, is that of hanging out or learning some new trails, or talking with a healthy focus while getting some movement into an otherwise busy/boring/hectic/lazy week. My initial response/reaction was to push back, “surely there is a goal, or else why are we here?” This is all reminiscent of what I recall Michael mentioning during the first Intensive – and from Ivy’s lead in the most recent web session from the previous Foundation – what do we do with this idea of the mandated client? My personal experience here is that of waves of defiance/opposition/lack of motivation. Rarely, thus far, are my clients mandated to work with me specifically, even if they ARE mandated to participate with the program in which they are enrolled. I have found so far that the oppositional/defiant behavior is – when I am solidly at a Level 3 of listening (Rogers, pg 68) – actually the expression of frustrations at current situations AND an acknowledgement of the space we are sharing (client/coach) being considered as safe and supportive. Which brings me into a place of reverence and honor/privilege. And fuels the want to guide, to support, to explore with, NOT to lead or direct or influence. All that to say that I feel these chapters, and this work in general, all fall so firmly on those levels of listening, and my constant awareness of how engaged I am in the depth of my listening to the client. These coachability tables in the 3rd edition are fascinating, and I can see them as valuable rubrics/assessment tools and are reminding me how essential it is for me to get on to working out an efficient/effective note taking approach (do I keep something in the truck for right after the hike? Take notes short hand as we are engaging in the sit spot? Can’t really take notes when we are playing in the threshold…) Finally, in response to Coaching Clients Through Change in the Roberts book, I find the final section, of the various forms of Discounting being presented as SO very relevant and helpful to me in the particular set of clients (groups and individual sessions) I am currently working with. This has been a source of significant frustration for me at times (nearly without fail because I am trying to push my agenda…otherwise, there is little reason that this would be my reaction…or that I would react at all). While the recognition of the problem is there, often the degree of its severity is discounted among those I work with. Working through or with the “Discounting of the solvability of the problem” (pg 178) is what is most useful to me with my current client list. It is seemingly inherent in the mind of someone in the early stages of recovery from substance use disorder in my estimation: that of binary thinking “this that/either or/always never” etc. it paints the client’s experience into the tiniest of boxes…with no room for movement, reflection, even hope sometimes. Also, I have found that the acknowledgement or even suggestion that perhaps there is great comfort in this conflict being unsolvable helps to expand the client’s experience, open the doors of perception just a crack, and at the very least let back in some hope!
In reading chapter 10 in The Natural Cycle of Learning, I immediately recall Ivy engaging on occasion a ceremonial opening while working with me in an observed session. It was not only effective in the actions suggested “shaking off the dust” as the text describes, it was the subtle invitation to make the activity my own. Even though my guide/coach was introducing me to this initial ceremony of sorts, it was still 100% my own, my process established as the focal point from even this first step! Northwest—Reflect is typically the favorite part of any of the Experiences I guide. Going deeper; seeking out the thing under the thing … under the things. I find that the sacred questions prove to be such a majestic access point to this aspect of the flow.
Such a warm calm settled over me as I read through the 50-50 Principle section (pg 234) and following scenarios and the implicit value of adaptation (yet another motivation of keeping my agenda the heck out of the way! AND a valuable check point along a session to assess just how effectively I am doing so!):
Sitting in the back of the boat, anonymous and unassuming, you always look well ahead towards the horizon for the people you mentor, and think of making subtle tacks and maneuvers for the changing winds. With the sea and the weather, it’s up to your own keen eyes and your sea-salt0smelling nose to guess where they might be going next. (Young, pg 239)
To me, this passage, coupled with the Southwest—Resting excerpt on pg 241 are where a great deal of the reverence and challenge both play a lead role during an outing. Particularly, in the Resting. We spoke of this in Gunnison, I remember that baseline shift at the tail end of the threshold, that stage of internalizing just before the plan of incorporation. I can find myself so excited and jazzed with what I am witnessing/sensing/feeling for the client, that I find pumping the breaks of the session to be almost unbearable. And yet, without that Resting, I am once again trying to propel someone else’s journey/path forward to suit my own timeline/agenda. Such wisdom in the work. Such delicateness. Love it!
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Melody,
Thank you for sharing your experience with the transformative/restorative energies of nature 🙏🏼. It is clear in your work, in your play, in your very presence the esteem with which you hold the environment: “The way nature has helped me get through life, heal, transform, and thrive not just survive will support my coaching practice because I believe in it 100%, and I know it works.” Thrive, not just survive!! Heck yeah! It is beyond a restorative power, isn’t it?! It is the source, a comfort and a fuel. The stories and paths which led each of us to this work, and to one another, is why we will thrive in supporting others to do so! -
Hey Kim,
Such a fascinating lens to read over Foundation 1 entries (I was missing a few responses!!) from the perspective of flying in to the second intensive so many months later! Your foreshadowing here: “And, along the way my hope is that there is a growth in understanding that the nurture nature gives us, we need to give back in turn.” to the passages and readings on Ecopsychology is so right on. And, makes perfect sense, in your well voiced passions for stewardship. Your experience of wide-angle lens observation while taking a lap at the lake is also an experience that I have come to embrace when either leading groups or going out on my own for my own self-care. The experience that we all shared in the Aspen grove fueled that respect and reverence (I keep using that word, since hearing Sheri articulate it that way in the teepee!) that is so fundamental in this work. At least, so it feels for myself. The depth of your awareness, the sounds from all directions, parallels the depth of this work, of our connection to our environment and speaks so well to the psychological benefits as presented by Talbot and Kaplan. -
Hi Kim,
Appreciate how you keep feeling drawn to the Natural Cycle of Learning portion of Coyote’s Guide book. I have experienced the value of tangible/exhilarating metaphor and symbolism particularly on rafting outings (Darn straight, Melody!!) with groups. The direct correlations between paddling together, mindfulness of when the participants to your left/right is paddling; when she/he in front of you is paddling; trusting in the guide at the back who is not vocalizing every move/pull/draw being used to navigate rapids…similarly, rock climbing has been a fascinating short-cut of sorts to taking a look inward, to experiencing emotions on a visceral level, on walking (or climbing!) through fear, shaky trust, etc.
Highlighting/working off of the ceremony/rituals of sports performance is just so brilliant! what a connection to draw, I am stoked to see how that continues to unfold for you and your practice, Kim! -
Hi Nadine and Melody
I appreciate the vastness of who you two are expressing interest in working with. I think the niche of helping graduates navigate just what the heck to do next is a wonderful area to provide guidance and support, Nadine! That idea can help facilitate momentum, impassioned work force, and healthy/balanced lives for these graduates and their loved ones! Planting wonderful seeds!
I, too, have found, Melody, that my ideal client shifts and takes shape and then shifts again and lands here and then there…the more I read all of your reflections and ideas as well as the further into the material we dive!
I feel that, staying open to that, leaning in to that mutability, is going to continue to serve me best along this journey. This childlike fascination and passion which I read coming through with EVERYONE’S ENTRIES (!!!!!!!) is why we are and will continue to be so helpful and healing and valuable.
That Transformational Travel link looks amazing! It brings to mind how I often chuckle to myself when hiking with friends and I am drawn to invite the group to have a check in…how the work that we are doing/learning/experiencing is not only so necessary and beneficial — how it is also, once exposed to it, so natural and inherent in our humanity…
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Thank you, Kim, for your reflection! I, too, am jazzed about the Cycle of the Eight Directions. I actually met someone in my business foundations class in 2017 who mentioned, upon hearing about my business idea, that he had done and continues to engage in work around the 8 directions. I will have to reach back out to him and check in with his thoughts/experience with it. What I am hearing as I read your thoughts about how breaking through the feedback exclusion zone and recognizing perceived needs of immediacy vs life-story/context will influence you as a coach, I find myself nodding and grinning in agreement! The reflection you provide us about your threshold experience rings so true from my experience, too. I am hearing a tangible experience of the 50/50 plan and allowing for our surroundings to provide the mirror to reflect what our client’s deeper need may be, yeah? Here I am hearing echoes of Mandy’s comment about simply being there, as a coach, when the baseline shifts and simply support our client through it! It’s funny, I have this image in my head of one of those performers who keeps all these plates spinning up on sticks (like on a late night show or something) only instead of this nervous, excitable background music, there is a soft, supportive, melodic undertone overlaid…there’s grace where frantic movement once was…what a gift we all have to get pruney in this work!
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So powerful to hear from you Shari. I appreciate the way you continue to show up for us all! “Water/Flow naturally seeks the path of least resistance…it reminds me to seek the simpler path, and not over-complicate life. I think this concept was at the forefront when I let go of the old story…and realized how needlessly difficult I had been making my life.” lands so solid for me. I always attempt to coordinate outings with groups around water – cascades, falls, creeks, full on river trips – it provides such an aesthetic to the experience; a practicality (nothin beats that environmentally friendly white-noise machine!!); and such rich potential for symbolism and metaphor.
The transitional spot (dare I say “Pivot Point”?!?! 😛) of identifying old narratives while working towards embracing/cultivating new ones, WHILE still falling back on those well-established neurological grooves is such a fascinating dance floor to move around on! So many layers, so rich in information and potential. Resonates with me. Thank you for putting words to that, Shari!The simplicity with which you lay it out in the process is something I will borrow, if I may, in my work: awareness bringing choice; choice leading to commitment. Went to a conference a few weeks ago and one of the presentations was on thresholds of tolerance. The presenter kept describing the dance across the that threshold (she used the analogy of the rumble strips on the side of a highway…talk about staying in your lane!!) and how, with time, this dance can actually expand the reach of the threshold. Reminded me of our exercises of expanding our critical space, with intention, towards our client. What fun!! Thanks again for your perspective, Shari!