Joshua Maze
Forum Replies Created
-
Initial Post:
I have recently began a partnership with a local holistic practitioner who has agreed to refer her clients to me on an as needed basis. Her work delves into the metaphysical. In short, she believes that in consult with the client, she can determine personality types and give explanation for perceived negatives in one’s life, be it difficulties in time management, or phobias, what have you. While I am intrigued in her work, I am skeptical. But, it doesn’t matter what I believe. Her clients are seeking answers in her that they are not getting going the traditional counseling or healthcare route. In her work, she will typically see a client one or two times, with little follow up. That is where I come in, in the partnership.I was recently referred a client who I will call Hannah, who was dealing with some depression and anxiety. The initial assessment, according to the other practitioner, is that there was a “pre-birth” trauma that has forever shifted Hannah’s focus, which explains the mental health concerns. This made perfect sense to her, given that he father left her mother before she was born and because she was born via C-section, two traumatic events occurring prior to her birth.
Before addressing her concerns, I first established confidentiality, ensuring that I wouldn’t share her personal information with anyone, including the other practitioner. I informed her that I am an EBI student and some of her story may be shared with the group, but that her identifying information would remain confidential. She agreed to this and allowed the coaching relationship to begin.
The challenge that I immediately faced was trying to accept her reasoning that she was anxious because of her “pre-birth traumas”. The more I thought about it though, the more I was reminded to meet the client where she is. Hannah has felt depressed and anxious “forever”, so let’s assume that that is true. The mental health aspect is established, now how do we refocus her to the present.
On our first meeting, I had planned on going for a walk at a nearby park. I thought the landscape and creek would offer good places to reflect. However, we found ourselves on a bench for the entire session. And that was ok. That is what Hannah needed that day. It actually wound up being beneficial, because I left her with homework—establish a sit spot. A simple enough task, but honestly one that I wasn’t sure she would complete.
The next session, we were able to walk around and talk. I had only one goal in mind—use wide angle vision to get her to see the world in different ways. She seemed to get it, which was a relief. It showed that I can coach and relay the topics in a meaningful way.Though we have only had the two sessions, I am preparing for future ones. Without attempting to erase the trauma she has faced throughout her life, I would love to explore things that she finds joy in, things that feel good. The goal being to show her that parts of her life are good. Let’s honor the past while welcoming the present.
-
As I embark on my quest to begin my own life coaching practice, Fresh Air Coaching, personal leadership will come from having the courage and confidence to promote myself. The courage to contact businesses to establish partnerships. The confidence to explain what Nature Connected Coaching is to a stranger on the street and give them my business card.
What am I needing to accomplish this? Dedication. Partners and clients aren’t going to flock to me if I don’t project a sense of confidence. And they aren’t going to just come to me, I need to go find them on my own. I need to determine who my ideal clients are and who in the community is already working with them and go from there.
I have Facebook and Instagram accounts to advertise myself. I get the likes, but is this approach enough to establish a business? Do I need a website? With no income from clients, I hesitate to spend the money to build a website, but perhaps if I had a web presence, I would get the clients. Being the only EBI trained coach in my state sets me up to be a leader in the field. I need to prepare now for what the future may expect of me.
-
**SUMMARY POST**
Throughout my time at the Star House, and my time since, I have had the opportunity to reflect on what I want and what is important. My time in Colorado confirmed that this field—Nature Connected Coaching—is where I want to be. I will never get over that I can do what I want, that is connecting with people and guiding them to their goals, all while exploring nature.
With that being said, however, I am not without some self-doubt and trepidation. I struggle with not comparing my journey to that of the rest of the cohort. I see others in the group taking on clients and already creating or expanding their businesses and I am not sure how to get started. Despite the nervousness, I can report that I have started to seriously look at networking with like-minded businesses and practitioners in the area.
Speaking of like-minded people, I am truly grateful for this cohort. There are so many people that I believe will become leaders in the field. I have made connections and friendships that I never expected to make. Thank you all for that.
-
Initial Post–Foundation 1
In considering this kick off question, I drew much of my inspiration from Steven Harper’s The Way of the Wilderness. I found that many of his ideals in regards to the wilderness and ecopsychology closely match my own. The short answer is that everyone and everything is nature. It is within us and of us. The question is how we choose to be connected and how do we choose to honor that connection.
As I read Harper’s work, I thought of how I would like to shape my future practice and the ideals I hope to bring to the business. The population I hope to serve will primarily consist of people experiencing depression and grief. He wrote “even though I had spent a good amount of time working with the pain, I felt shut down and separate from everything in life.” AS I expressed at length privately in individual sessions, and then to the group at large, I continue to experience my own mental pains. Being at The Starhouse, however, was restorative. Being amongst the trees and creatures gave me a sense of peace. I hope to be able to use nature in the same way to bring peace to others going through similar situation.
As I plan my business, I have often asked what wilderness experience I should offer my clients. I like how Harper describe his treks, stating that most programs require only average physical ability but above average psychological motivation. That is what I want to offer. I have no experience trekking the backcountry or going on long backpacking adventures. But, I can offer my clients a day hike or a calm walk through a local garden. When using nature as a co-guide. It is important to meet your clients where they are. If I advertised wilderness immersion, I would miss out on the chance to serve those who are not interested in such extensive work. The other side of that coin, is to encourage clients to trust the process and allow themselves to expand psychologically. This may mean experiencing the mud and rain, both in nature and emotionally. I can imagine myself offering a threshold moment in the pouring rain or jumping in muddy puddles.
So, to answer the question, what does it mean to be connected to nature? It means to trust a force much older, bigger, and wiser than we are. It means to let go and allow yourself to expand beyond the borders of your body. It means to seek out something awe inspiring.
-
For those of you who have already purchased tickets, what times are you set to arrive? Perhaps we could try to coordinate and meet up?
How many of us are actually from out of town that will be flying in?
-
I was wondering that myself, Rollin. I was unable to make the call live, but I’m not seeing where it was posted for review.
Anyone know what happened?
-
In previous posts in this course and in others, I have referenced my ongoing struggle with emotional health. Though it is not my best attribute or my favorite things to talk about, my depression is a part of me and it likely always will be, in some form. I still have quite a ways to go until I am feeling at the top of my game, but I have begun a recovery process and feel myself becoming whole again. My mental illnesses, as destructive and debilitating as they can be, also serve a positive role when I am able to take a step back and objectively evaluate them. This repurposed role is to teach me to honor and support others like me who are trying to walk through the cloud of depression. That is my vision. To serve others and to help end the cycle of depression. Only by walking through the fog, am I able to guide others down the path to recovery.
Service to others in crisis and those experiencing depression has always been a goal of mine, whether through my academic pursuits, interactions with peers, or most recently, enrolling in EBI. What is calling me forward is knowing that there is a different method of recovery available out there that doesn’t have to include traditional fluorescent lit therapy, magazine strewn waiting rooms, and billable hours, instead, it can include taking a hike, sitting in a park, or going bird watching. How cool is that?
-
By using a new sit spot routine, utilizing a mandala snapshot, and practicing being in the now, I am becoming more aware of the parts of that make up my soul.
I was reminded recently of Michael’s description of having to transition from one part to another near instantaneously. My wife called me at work, where I was deploying my professional and service parts, and said that there was an emergency at her work and I needed to come home to look after our daughter. I had to quickly transition to the husband and father parts in order to adequately handle the situation.
I made a mandala snapshot and took advantage of Michael’s suggestion to take a wander with my parts and get to know them better. It was good to have a visual representation of what I feel. I learned to better understand parts that I had previously labeled as “negative”. The parts that are prone to anxiety and fear should not be seen as negative, but rather should be repurposed into something more useful. Those parts are only there to protect me. Instead of inducing fear, they should become more observant to assess the situation. The place where regret lives should be repurposed to one that seeks out and embraces opportunity.
-
I really responded to the idea of having to relearn how to connect. Because, that is what my first trip out to Colorado was for me, using nature as my guide while I learned to connect, not only to others, but also to myself. Like you said, it takes routine and modeling of the beliefs and behaviors that are important. Something I myself am continuing to work on.
Expanding on that thought, our bodies DO know what to do, but often our minds and the outside world interfere in some way. Being surrounded by nature and new found friends, I felt my body first, and then my mind relax. Being connected to something larger than one’s self is definitely important for growth.
Though I have not had the many years of career experience shared here, I am reminded of our quest at the Starhouse to find the animal tracks. Through knee high snow, down an embankment, and pushing through as asthma attack, I found my tracks. And in doing so, experienced a feeling unlike any other. I felt accomplished. Like I belonged there. Something was awoken in that moment. A feeling it seems you share, though you found it by a different path.
Ben, from our time together both in and outside of class, I am confident that you will go far in this field. You have already shown great determination with your business and your pursuit of the NCC certification. Just like I was able to find myself in nature, nature will continue to guide and teach you, for years to come, I’m sure.
-
Dan,
It was a pleasure to read your post. Such insights and a deep connection to what is important. I appreciate the descriptions of your surroundings. I can tell that you have a good grasp on wide angle vision and the other foundational techniques taught by Michael. In contrast to that, it was interesting to read the observations of how disconnected you are from your surroundings—the bread, the clothing and the fossil fuels. I think that being able to recognize that disconnect is connection itself.When you mentioned that you were going to make a point to pay attention to the sunrise and to the robins, I felt a sense of renewal in you. I hope that this new found connection to nature continues to bloom for you.
You mentioned that at this point, you are more concerned about making the nature connection for yourself, versus to support your coaching. I totally understanding the need for self-care and self-reflection, but I hope that you allow it to carry over in to future coaching goals. I do not know your career aspirations, but from our foundational courses and one-on-on sessions, I think you would be a good coach. Keep at it dude!
-
I have not secured any housing yet. I am unfamiliar with AirBnB, but it sounds like Ben and MJ are, so I would be fine with splitting the cost with them if thats the best option for everyone.
I will be flying in, but I have not yet purchased the tickets.
Thus far, I don’t have any ride from the airport or for our time our there. If flights happen to coordinate, I’d like to carpool to where ever we are staying. Otherwise, I may need to Uber to something. I would prefer not to have to rent my own vehicle.
-
I would be down with splitting the cost of an AirBnB with someone / a group of people and sharing the cost of a car. Ben mentioned staying at the star house. I didnt realize that was an option. What are the costs with that? Is there a maximum number of people it can accommodate?
Does anyone know what time we would be finished on 2/2? Should we plan on flying out that day or would it be better to wait until Sunday 2/3?
-
MJ,
Thank you for being the first to ask this. I was wondering the same. I have actually never used an Air BnB so I’m not familiar with how it all works. Did you have any thoughts on transportation? Is it safe to assume that your flight is getting in sometime Thursday? I still need to book my flight out, and it might be good to try to coordinate if possible. How many of us are actually needing to fly in and find accommodations?
Josh
-
Taylor, this is totally the appropriate forum to ask! We are here to support each other. The goal is to be out in nature as much as possible. But, it defeats the purpose if doing so causes you stress. If weather is inclement, are you able to still sit quietly and allow yourself to meditate and reflect? Maybe turning on nature sounds would allow you to experience nature from the comfort of the indoors? If rain is the issue, do you have a room where you can sit and listen to the rain and immerse yourself in the sound? Or better yet, put on your rain coat and boots and head outside, having an emotional response in “bad” weather can be quite cathartic.
-
Welcome Taylor !!
I look forward to meeting you.