[Sheri]

INITIAL POST – As I listened to my practice client I heard internal conflict happening. It seemed she was ready to move on but then there was obviously something holding her back. A light bulb went off for me as I thought this is a PartsWork situation! So I introduced the idea of working with PartsWork in upcoming sessions because she was clearly torn in her path, like a part(s) is ready to move on and another part(s) is holding back. She had been introduced to Parts in the NCL call shortly before our talk, so she was intrigued, still a bit unsure of what it was but willing, since I was able to explain it in a way that seemed to make sense to her. She was excited to see about getting some answers on what or why this conflict is happening. So we set some homework up and discussed how she could start to brainstorm her Parts list and we would work on some Soul conversations in our upcoming call. I also mentioned the idea of interviewing her parts, how they should only converse through Soul and reiterated some of the points she already had in her notes from Michael about no judgement (parts aren’t good / bad), introjects and what parts are/are not. This session planted the seed of PartsWork and got the ball rolling to move into that.

My accountability piece was to check in with her mid week and see how it was coming. Upon checking in mid week she was struggling, so I suggested to shift to just having more awareness around when different Parts are taking action and conversation in her everyday tasks. Like who is taking charge in a situation? Being aware through the day, as you have a thought to say “Who is thinking this?” “What part of me feels strongly about that?” And not worry so much about naming them, if that is difficult. Just get the general idea, noting the competing thoughts / beliefs will help and we would talk through more on our call. I have also realized through my own experience with PartsWork that some parts don’t want to be identified and felt that naming them may not be necessary at this point. She said that helped a lot and felt better about our upcoming call.

On the next call, we set the initial call intentions and she was sharing about her experience with awareness around her parts. She was feeling the opposing parts and had shared about those that we could identify/distinguish between them enough, when something she said just triggered me to say “Are you ready to try something?” She was and we moved into the experiential piece of having conversation between her adolescent part, the Soul, and the responsible part. We set the table so one was sitting on her right and one on her left. It was so interesting to see this play out via zoom as she moved from part to soul to part! I guided her as to which part she would step into and asked them what they wanted to share and how they are feeling about the situation. Moving to the Soul between each part for acknowledgement of the parts and gratitude in their sharing. The light bulbs and ah-ha’s were happening and she even mentioned “I don’t get this much out of therapy!” I was a bit beside myself and honestly, giddy, to see it really play out like this. We talked about how she can do this herself and she was so excited to keep up with it! Can’t wait for our next call to hear how this has been for her and keep the conversation going if that is where she needs to focus.

This experience lit the fire for me to do more of my own PartsWork, snapshot and intention setting for my day. It is coming along. Practice, practice, practice. Good stuff! I was able to get some of the reading materials from the library and just picked them up. I look forward to understanding more behind our brain and how this all works. I am sure I will have more to share from those as I am able. Looking forward to hearing how you – and all your parts – all are doing!

[Sheri]

SUMMARY POST – My take-away’s from our Gestalt module: 1.) I still have so much to learn and practice to bring Gestalt into the most useful tool it can be for me. 2.) It is about awareness. Practicing my awareness tools, 360 vision, sensory meditation, baseline, etc. will all help in my ability to notice the changes in the nature of my client, around us, and within myself. 3.) Curiosity plays a big part as well, what is causing this change? Without the curiosity I think the awareness goes unacknowledged. Thank the curiosity leads to action for discovery.

As I type this I am realizing that this is a practice I can bring into my everyday, every moment life, not just in coaching. I also feel that I am doing more of this work already than I realize. I trust my intuition (gut guidance) and can see how I am already leaning into the unconscious awareness I have of my surroundings, a situation, or my inner self/beliefs that guides my gut. It is almost as thought I need to expand more in a conscious manner upon this.

[Sheri]

INITIAL POST – I found it very difficult to apply my impression of Gestalt in a session over the phone. As I was not in the same environment as my client and was not able to see her or what was happening around her, so this took me away from focusing on Gestalt, since my impression of Gestalt was being aware of my/our surroundings and the changes I became aware of. That said, in hindsight, I did have a better awareness of her verbal rhythm and did notice some times where I felt her stumbling or backing away from her true thoughts by using phrases like “I don’t know.” When I felt it was more of an “I don’t want to go there”, or “I don’t want to look deeper.” I struggled with pushing her deeper. I did hold the silence and she did come back at one point with a deeper thought. I think it was in part due to it being our first call and my uncertainty of how far to go. I think I may feel more comfortable with it after a session or two. Or maybe it was my intuition saying it is not the way to go at this time? Probably need to trust that more than second guessing myself after the fact.

Looking back now I see several ways I could have brought more into the session and ways I did engage to the best of my ability in the situation to bring her into the present moment. I asked her what if her challenge was solved, how would that feel? How do you tap into that in the moment? I could have had her engage more with her discomfort in the “I don’t know” to really uncover if that is truly the case. Maybe ask “if you did know, what might it be?”

I am drawn to learn more about Gestalt as I expect there is more to it than my initial perception. My take away at this time is giving me more confidence to be in the present moment and trust my guidance there. Awareness of changes to baseline and curiosity to the cause of those changes, whether in person or via phone. I will continue to practice to enhance these skills and more as I continue my reading and learning in this direction.

[Sheri]

Embrace the present moment. Prioritize and honor the importance of my personal connection and needs for self care. All I have to offer, really, is myself: my story, my experiences, my faith, support and love. All I need is what I carry within. I easily get wrapped up in having more tools and more knowledge. That will all come in time as I am drawn to learn, experiencing more for my own self growth. What I currently have and am, is all I have to offer. Practice and experience will carry me along the path I am meant to be journeying. Being connected and open for the possibilities, willing to step into the fear in the direction of the pull, that will keep me growing and living into my fullest expression, best able to provide the care and guidance I am being called to. It is an ongoing practice. The connection keeps me clear. The curiosity keeps me leaning into the discomfort of the growing pains. The vision keeps me inspired.

[Sheri]

Wow, did I ever need you all this morning. Thanks for showing up, sharing your visions and re-igniting my fire! ROAR! Noticed being very tired this morning and starting to feel the pull of going back into my shell. Which is not always a bad thing mind you. I was reminded through a wonderful call with Ivy just how much growth I have to celebrate of late and I think the push and steps expanding my comfort zone had me feeling a bit stretched and, well, exhausted. I was turning inward for some needed comfort and, so I was telling myself, healing BUT what I am now realizing was that I just needed someone to stoke my fire and reading through your posts, your visions, your excitement was catching and your support and love for one another just built me back up. I am feeling ready to keep moving and growing and getting it done! Love you guys and can’t wait to be feeding off your energy in person really soon! First on the call tomorrow and then in person on Sunday!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Sheri]

I find that women, mothers, those with similar labels as me, primarily come to mind when I think about coaching, but I am open to working with any seeker. I think that is the initial image because that is what I am most familiar with. Individuals looking for balance, peace, a trusted friend / partner to walk through grief / dark / struggle with that can help hold the light directing their path.

The population(s) that most excites me? Again the image of women in similar life position or maybe younger than I, those entering the phases I have completed or am in. I think this is natural for me to help those following, in a way, in my footsteps. I also get filled up working with children, younger, like 3 yrs old. They are such lights and sponges for learning, role models for living in a world of awe and wonder. Helping to grow strong children in our world is so much easier than healing adults so there is a pull I have to help parents and caregivers to see the gift of these youth. I think this involves education of parents / care-givers to the importance of nature in their lives, as well as, allowing for growth through play. So many of our young are struggling at earlier and earlier ages. Can we help parents through providing them some of the play and connection they may have missed themselves and now do not understand how to provide this for their children? Helping parents to accept children for who they are, discover and appreciate their gifts, learn how to teach and learn from them. Some of this will start with the parents needing these discoveries about themselves.
I also feel drawn to those open to having someone walk with them through the dark times. To get to the other side of the dark, struggle, learning how to live with it, through it, and maintain that balance in life or new normal.
Also excited to work with those the flow brings to my life!

I see many options of working with my future clients. Coaching appointments: Walk-n-talks, face to face, video or phone. Also retreats and trips, like soul searching international or mission type trips, not just in wilderness, although that too! I also see teaching through workshops and talks.

The common categories or goals I see them working towards are: Finding life balance – healing; Finding connection to source – (time with nature) and Experiencing time in nature, unplugged. Ultimately Soul direction.

We will collaborate with nature to support our awareness and their success. Time in nature provides distance from distractions (plus many other benefits). Time with nature provides connection to source / soul. Time in nature enhances the ability to spend time with nature, however, it is not a requirement. I believe our nature connection is stronger and more clear in nature and therefore find it helpful to be in nature to be more open to soul direction. This is helpful for my state of being when coaching, whether the client has this same experience or not.

Got a little bit of searching one today on other organizations offering similar options, this was very informative and I will continue to search what is out there as it gave me lots of insight. A few from today: 1.) Spiritual Direction CO, this is an organization I am familiar with already. It is a professional organization for Spiritual Directors in CO. It offers workshops, conferences and retreats. Several of which I have attended. Spiritual directors are dedicated to guiding people in the spiritual journey, and helping them explore matters of the soul, faith, and God. Spiritual direction is a practice found in many faith traditions. I feel that NCC is similar in many ways and I am know of Spiritual Directors who use nature in their guiding but I personally feel a difference in the scope of their focus. Of course, that could be just my impression of it.
2.) Feed Your Soul – Life & Wellness Coaching – digging into this one actually took me to Feed Your Soul Fitness, a neighborhood type gym with personal training and small group classes, yoga and stretching. I didn’t really find anything on the website that discussed coaching beyond personal trainers. They do offer an experiential program and support for your goals. I didn’t really sense any soul direction, more body goals.
3.) Megan Rogers, Integrative Therapy and Wellness Coaching – her website was impressive. I was ready to sign up for a session! It appears her coaching is singularly focused on working with women who want to get a handle on drinking. The rest of her offerings have ore to do with the Integrative Therapy.

Again this was an eye-opening assignment and I will continue to look at what’s out there. One take away was the thought that maybe I have too broad an offering, yet I feel that my flow will take me where I am meant to go and I would rather be open to more options than narrowing in too much and miss opportunities to help people.

[Sheri]

Reflecting on this module, Foundations 3 – it has been a full one! Many areas of insight, growth and trust. From examining the purpose and state of being for successful threshold experiences; awareness to achieving the needed state of being for self and for guiding the client to; and how the core competencies play a guiding role in establishing the trust necessary with the client to be open to the threshold. To the many highlights I made in the reading in both the Coaching Skills and Coyote’s Guide books. So many good stories and sample questions to practice and review, as well as, use for working myself through some thresholds on my own path, including awareness to my assumptions around running a business based on past experiences, especially coaching clients through change. I will take a moment here to thank those of you who have been working with me in the coaching client practice swap. I appreciate your help working through this change for myself! Seeing myself in the steps that are discussed in the chapter; anticipatory grief, denial, bargaining, acceptance, and self-limiting, I believe will help me relate to clients on an deeper level. The Natural Cycle & Natural Learning Cycle chapters provide me with a different way to look at flow but also a better way to talk about it in a metaphorical way. Plus the Representative Models they give are helping me get a plan for a workshop I am developing. I feel like I am in the flow and opportunities are falling in my lap, at some moments I am trying to just focus on going with the flow and at other times I am spinning from how quick it seems to be moving. Thanks for helping me stay grounded! Can’t wait to see you all in September.

[Sheri]

I have a bit more reading I would like to wrap up before posting my summary. Will have it up by the end of the weekend. Thanks for your patience and all the support!

[Sheri]

Amber, thanks for shining a light on the relationship to eye contact and depth of conversation. Intriguing – yes! Thinking back on some of my own conversations I realize that often I will break eye contact due to the compassion coming from the other person. For the need to hold myself strong enough to get the words out, as the compassion will often break me down into tears. Thinking of my gestalt experience at StarHouse it was very hard for me to make eye contact with you, even when you were sitting knee to knee with me. I’m sure some of that came from a feeling of not wanting to be seen crying, shame? (probably should look into that more?) But I felt very connected with you even without the direct eye contact. I felt the support and care in your presence.

[Sheri]

Kim – Thanks for sharing this experience, painting a picture of that letting go process, as well as, the impression it made on you. Powerful. I will certainly put that in my box. Way to go Mandy! I am curious if that is something that just came to you in the moment and if the two of you came up with the idea together or if it is something Mandy has lead others through before or been lead through herself?

[Sheri]

Excellent point Nadine! To be aware not just of shifts in her (the client) but also what an why is happening for me. I was thinking about observing the nature around us in the moment but not within me too. So much to keep track of… practice, practice, practice! Are you doing anything in particular to that you are finding beneficial in opening yourself to this awareness? Or do you find it to be ideas and thoughts that come up after the fact…that is more where I am, wish I had said or done… I realize this is a start. The awareness after then becomes awareness during then awareness in the moment then shifts to confidence in taking action on the awareness. We are growing!

[Sheri]

Mandy, thanks for your comments and for the idea of tracking these dis-connects in notes for tracking patterns! What a great idea. Still a big practice area for me… note taking, I tend to want to write down verbatim what is being said rather than listening through feeling for those energy shifts and what is not being said which I hear is often more important.

[Sheri]

Matt – I can’t help but wonder if the intrigue you seemed to have with the executive coaching piece may be more than just a financial one. Could some of those execs be dealing with some of the same needs your current clients have? Maybe you will be able to reach them before a SUD takes them to rock bottom? This area is outside my experience, but I am just curious if maybe it is a pull to keep yourself open to opportunities that may come dressed differently than you expect?

[Sheri]

Kim – this is what spoke to me the most from your post… “I just keep going back to the joy I feel when I’m moving outdoors. And I want to bring that to others. And the ease I use that movement in the outdoors to work through my own issues. I really want to bring that to others.” I was reminded of being in that flow / state of being connected and thinking – I want to bring THIS to others. I think you nailed it! That is what it is all about. Share your gifts to provide guidance and a space for others to find their own joy / awe. I believe the flow will bring those who need just what you have to offer to you for this guidance. Thanks for sharing your process, it is an honor to be walking this path of growth and self-awareness with you!

[Sheri]

Shari – this is beautifully stated…”especially nature connected coaching can be requested purely for the purpose of inner growth and or spiritual development. The goal does not need to be problem solving. Young’s focus is on developing self-awareness that is inclusive of nature connection. Flow learning is to recognize you are part of something larger. This recognition fosters an awareness much greater than the self. In this lies many answers, some to problems, some to curiosities, some personally transformative. To coach a person to a place of inner connection and nature connection is the deepest form of self-awareness and when one has self-awareness they have choice and with choice you can live a life of meaning and purpose…and joy.” I wholeheartedly agree and am grateful you were able to phrase it and highlight it. I struggle with the concept of fixing it or finding the solution for them, when what I desire is to share love, to guide them to an experience that only they can have for themselves, one of inner connection. From my experience when you are in that place of oneness the clarity comes regarding those problems we are attempting to solve and their importance, or lack there of, and problems often fade away with this self awareness. Thanks!