Science has some exciting news that will appeal to and inspire coaches.
Mindfulness in its most general sense is about waking up from a life on automatic, and being sensitive to novelty in our everyday experiences….Instead of being on automatic and mindless, mindfulness helps us awaken, and by reflecting on the mind we are enabled to make choices and thus change becomes possible.
~ Dr. Daniel Siegel: The Mindful Brain
Mindful awareness has been scientifically proven to enhance physical, mental and social well-being. By incorporating the skill of mindfulness in their practices, coaches can assist clients to make breakthroughs where they would usually get stuck. Clients are then able to increase their tolerance for change, build their resilience and self acceptance.
Recent neurological research has proven that mindfulness helps us become more integrated; when we can slow down and get connected to our whole self everything becomes easier: body, mind and spirit.
The science of mindfulness will move the coaching profession forward by adding a new dimension to the way that coaches coach.
By applying mindfulness to their repertoire coaches will enhance their own way of being. They will enhance the client’s ability to gain insight, perspective and a sense of overall well-being. As coaches add this valuable and essential skill set to the coaching conversations, they will assist their clients to move forward more quickly.
By science proving what we already know about human development, the profession of coaching gains momentum in being adopted by a larger audience. As more people read the scientific literature on mindfulness, they will seek out practitioners who incorporate that model in their work.
This transformation of our very physiology and mental life cultivates well-being by creating an integrated state of brain function, one that fosters an array of benefits from emotional balance and improved cardiac and immune functions to an enhanced sense of empathy and self-understanding. Developing these traits allows us to face the challenges of life with a new sense of equilibrium and clarity.
~ Dr. Daniel Siege: Mindsight: the New Science of Personal Transformation
As coaching incorporate both mindfulness and the wisdom of the body into their work clients become more tuned into their own intuition and inner knowing.
Listen here for Marlena’s talk on Neuroscience, Mindfulness and the Body that was delivered to the Los Angeles ICF Chapter. It has been edited down to 38 minutes. If you would like the pdf of pithy quotes on neuroscience please sign up here for the auto-responder and it will be mailed to you immediately.
Mindfulness is foundational to Body-Centered Coaching. Read more at www.bodymindspiritcoaching.com/bcc.php and www.bodymindspiritcoaching.com/the-essence.php
© 2011 Body Mind Spirit Coaching. All Rights Reserved.
If you would like to use this article, written by Marlena Field , on your website or in your own e-newsletter, you MUST include the following:
Marlena Field, PCC, CPCC, founder and author of Body-Centered Coaching, offers a free e-newsletter titled BodyMind Wisdom: listen to your body, connect with your spirit. When you subscribe, you will receive her free audio titled “Conscious Choices for Change”.
Visit www.BodyMindSpiritCoaching.com
In our stressful high-demand world, it is often difficult for clients to give themselves permission to take time off, to rejuvenate, to rest. So they often ignore any kind of body sensations and thoughts that suggest not only what is needed, but required, for health and well-being.
Clients often have some kind of resistance to the idea of resting, time off, rejuvenation…something like there’s not enough time, there’s too much to do, I’m responsible for this and that, it’s not okay to put myself first, others are counting on me…you get the idea.
As clients ignore the body sensations like sweaty palms, stomach trouble, shoulder tension, the body will often send stronger signals which can end up being a more serious health issue or diagnosis, an accident, a situation.
Our work as coaches needs to include ways to assist clients to become not only more mindful of body sensation, but more conscientious of making meaning of the symptoms and taking action on their own behalf. Clients are the only ones who can decide to give themselves permission.
Here is one way that I work with clients who come to the call with symptoms of stress or fatigue…clients who on the surface are unwilling to entertain anything other that doing one more thing before they take charge of their body, their thoughts and their health.
After listening and getting a sense of what is going on for the client, acknowledging the impact a situation or life style is having on them, I invite them into a process that looks something like this.
- offer an invitation to close their eyes, become aware of their breath, mindful of any body sensation they are experiencing
- ask for permission to say something positive to them and invite them to notice any thoughts, feelings, body sensations, memories that come up when they hear my words
- being mindful myself, in a neutral voice, I say “Notice what happens, when you hear me say, It’s okay to rest.” or some variation of that them that comes out of the coaching conversation.
- with the client, study anything that gets noticed…being non-judgmental and welcoming of everything that gets noticed.
In this mindful state, clients may notice the cause of any resistance to resting, slowing down. They may notice a phrase from the past like don’t be lazy, you never do enough for others, don’t be so selfish. They may notice a strong body sensation like a tightening in their shoulders, their stomach, their locked knees.
Or, they may notice a relax response from their body, an invitation to breathe more deeply, let go of tension, surrender. The purpose of this is to bring self-awareness to internal signals, to what needs and wants to happen.
The form of resting, relaxing, rejuvenation is up to the client of course. It could look like taking time off (an afternoon, a week, a month), going for a walk, going to the gym.
The point is to pay attention; become mindful and insightful of what is happening in the body, mind and spirit and giving them a much needed gift.
My personal story:
In the spring, I was supported by a healing massage therapist, a shaman and a psychic to take a couple of months off. I have to admit that I had a really hard time deciding to do so. My mind kept trying to convince me that the timing wasn’t right, there was work to be done, blah, blah, blah – you get the idea. Yet, I made the decision to follow through and pay attention to the body signals I was experiencing and the outside information I was receiving.
My fatigue had begun to feel ‘normal’ because it happened over a span of time.
For the first couple of weeks I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. I wasn’t used to laying on the couch with a good book, hiking in the hills in the middle of the day, taking off kayaking for a couple of days mid-week. Yet I coach clients to do just that!
I had to practice giving myself permission to chill out and walk my talk. After a couple of weeks, the permission practice got easier and I began to relax and settle into my being at a deeper level: a level that really allowed my spirit to experience life differently. I began to experience joy more tangibly.
I feel fortunate that I listened to my body before something happened that made me take time off – like an injury, a health issue, a diagnosis.
The beauty of the experience is that I became rejuvenated and re-energized in a way that felt new, exciting and different. Now I am jazzed to rock and roll into the fall season.
How are you at listening to your body’s wisdom?
What stories have you made up about taking time off?
What would it take to give yourself permission to listen to your body signals before the minor ones become major ones?
What body signals do you need to listen to NOW?
© 2011 Body Mind Spirit Coaching. All Rights Reserved.
If you would like to use this article, written by Marlena Field , on your website or in your own e-newsletter, you MUST include the following:
Marlena Field, PCC, CPCC, founder and author of Body-Centered Coaching, offers a free e-newsletter titled BodyMind Wisdom: listen to your body, connect with your spirit. When you subscribe, you will receive her free audio titled “Conscious Choices for Change”.
Visit www.BodyMindSpiritCoaching.com
Neuroscience & Mindfulness
The roots of mindfulness run deep through many cultures, religions and communities. In recent years, mindful presence has become the cornerstone of helping professions because of its ability to cultivate body awareness, emotional intelligence, and a whole new spectrum of skill sets for clients. So profound are these shifts that mindfulness is, at last, being validated by the scientific community.
Scientific data continues to emerge regarding the benefits of mindfulness. By integrating the evidence- based approach of applied mindfulness, coaches can add an essential skill set to help clients overcome obstacles.
Studies have shown that specific applications of mindful awareness improved the capacity to regulate emotions, to combat emotional dysfunctions, to improve patterns of thinking and to reduce negative mindsets.
The Mindful Brain: Daniel Siegel
Focusing on the body is the simplest way to help someone become mindful of their present moment experience; it is the most direct route.
Research has shown that mindfulness enhances the body’s functioning and healing, the ability to respond more creatively to stress, the state of inner well-being and interpersonal relationships. Because mindfulness has a positive impact on the whole person – body, mind and spirit- the possibilities of well-being for both coach and client completely open up.
This transformation of our very physiology and mental life cultivates well-being by creating an integrated state of brain function, one that fosters an array of benefits from emotional balance and improved cardiac and immune functions to an enhanced sense of empathy and self-understanding. Developing these traits allows us to face the challenges of life with a new sense of equilibrium and clarity.
The Mindful Brain: Daniel Siegel
By understanding the latest science of neurobiology and mindfulness, coaches are able to help clients make breakthroughs where they would usually get stuck. Clients are then able to increase their tolerance for change and self acceptance.
Mindfulness is foundational to Body-Centered Coaching. Read more at www.bodymindspiritcoaching.com/bcc.php and
www.bodymindspiritcoaching.com/the-essence.php
© 2011 Body Mind Spirit Coaching. All Rights Reserved.
If you would like to use this article, written by Marlena Field , on your website or in your own e-newsletter, you MUST include the following:
Marlena Field, PCC, CPCC, founder and author of Body-Centered Coaching, offers a free e-newsletter titled BodyMind Wisdom: listen to your body, connect with your spirit. When you subscribe, you will receive her free audio titled “Conscious Choices for Change”.
Visit www.BodyMindSpiritCoaching.com
You’ll never guess who just called!
“It’s…difficult to hear that what we reject out there is what we reject in ourselves… Having compassion [for others] starts and ends with having compassion for all those unwanted parts of ourselves, all those imperfections that we don’t even want to look at.”
Pema Chodron
Sally was tossing and turning. She finally just gave up and woke up Andrew. “I’m sorry I had to wake you in the middle of the night dear. I am driving myself crazy with this and I need your help. I hope you don’t mind.” Andrew rubbed his eyes and willed himself to wake up. Sally rarely did this so he knew it must be really important and he wanted to listen to her with his full attention.
Sally began, “I am so freaked out about Uncle Fred; about what he’s going to be like this Saturday at our family gathering. Whenever he shows up, which is about every two years, he’s rude and has a way of putting people down. I’m so anxious about him being here that I don’t even want to have anybody over.” Andrew understood and felt some of Sally’s upset as well. Over the years he’d witnessed the impact that Uncle Fred often had on family get-togethers and he also was anxious.
Andrew said, “I’ve seen the same tension happen again and again. I wonder if there’s something creative we can do to try to change what typically happens. I know that when Uncle Fred arrives at the door, everyone holds their breath and the whole atmosphere in the room changes. It’s like everyone is waiting to be ‘bitten’ one way or another by Uncle Fred. Let’s talk about how we can deal with it differently in the morning.” Sally still felt uptight.
Andrew was thoughtful for a minute and then continued, “In the meantime, I have an idea that may help you go back to sleep.” Sally replied, “I’d sure like to know what that is. I need to get some sleep.” “Okay,” said Andrew, “first I need to ask you two questions.”
“One: How do you find yourself being put off by Uncle Fred?” Sally answered, “There’s lots of ways, but a big one for me is the way he’s so critical.” She paused and then said with surprise, “Oh, oh, I just realized something. I’m being the same way that I’m accusing him of being. I’m being critical of him being critical.” She chuckled at this realization about herself and felt a relief at the same time. Andrew replied, “Wow, I can relate to that myself.” He took some time to let that sink in.
Two: “What’s one thing that you open-heartedly want for Uncle Fred; something that you imagine would help to make his life better?” Sally quickly responded,” What a question!” Sally’s own negative inner dialog was so familiar that she had seldom thought about what Uncle Fred may be feeling. She was quietly thoughtful and then said, “What I want for Uncle Fred is for him to feel more included and to have some real connection with his family - and that includes real connection with me.”
Andrew suggested, “So here’s an exercise* I’ve found helpful. It’s actually a combination of breathing and thinking. When you start, breathe in with the thought that what you want for Uncle Fred is for him to feel relief from being so critical; knowing yourself that being critical can be painful. When you breathe out; breathe out with the thought that what you want for Uncle Fred is for him to feel more connected with you and the rest of the family.” Sally said, “Thanks Andrew. I hope this works.” Andrew also decided to do the exercise as a way for him to go back to sleep.
When Sally woke up, she remembered what had happened before she had fallen asleep. She was amazed. As she had paid attention to her breathing and was purposeful with her thoughts she noted that her body had become more and more relaxed and she experienced increased feelings of well-being. She realized that this was about being open-hearted and wanting things to be better for people;not about trying to make other people be different.
Over breakfast Sally shared her realization with Andrew. Together they decided to use the breathing and thinking exercise throughout the coming week in order to maintain a compassionate attitude toward Uncle Fred and themselves. They talked about the positive mood they wanted to create with the family and how they could contribute to it. They wanted to be more aware of their own criticalness and to have better connection with the whole family.
They realized that their tension in the past had been in the way of them being more relaxed and open-hearted. They continued to have conversations during the week to help each other remember to stay with the possibilities rather than with negativity.
By Saturday both Sally and Andrew noticed that their anxiety had become considerably less. As the family arrived there was a general easiness and people seemed happy to see each other. A short time later the doorbell rang and one of the kids yelled, “Uncle Fred’s here.” The tension in the room heightened and people seemed to ‘steel’ themselves. Sally was the first to the door. “Hi Uncle Fred, I’m glad to see you here. It’s been a long time.” Although she had said similar words to him in the past, this time her words were authentic. Uncle Fred could feel that she meant what she was saying. He couldn’t help but give a slight smile along with his usual gruff greeting.
Throughout the afternoon Sally and Andrew paid attention to being more connected with all the family members. Although there were a few tense and awkward moments, for the most part the atmosphere was different. People became more relaxed and less guarded as the afternoon progressed. The gathering turned out to have more easy conversation and good spirited laughter than ever before. Afterwards, Sally and Andrew realized this was a good beginning. They were encouraged about the possibilities for the future.
On Sunday morning Sally answered the phone. Someone called to say ‘thank you’ for the party and how much he had enjoyed himself. Sally was floored. Nothing like this had happened before. When Sally got off the phone she said to Andrew, with a smile on her face, “You’ll never guess who just called!”
*The Practice of Tonglen: www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/tonglen1.php
For a decision to be a great one there needs to be an alignment within the whole person: body, mind and spirit. With alignment comes integration: an inner knowing that the decision is right. Congruence is reached. Because it is right, it therefore becomes doable and sustainable (long lasting) because the foundation is solid.
Mind
The mind is a wonderful resource for gathering information, making sense of data, being logical and rational. Many decisions are made simply from a mind perspective - paying attention to what the mind considers to be the way to go. There are pro and con lists, details taken into consideration, the logic and rationale considered.
The problem with only paying attention to the mind is that there is important information that is not taken into consideration.
Body
The body is an important resource when faced with choices. The body has a natural intelligence that can be tapped. The body does not lie. It gives us sensations – like gut reactions - which are key to great decision making. If the body is left out of the decision-making process, very often the decision is not in alignment or sustainable.
Spirit
Noticing whether we feel in-spirited or dis-spirited when a decision has been made is a fabulous indicator of whether or not we are on the right track. Our emotions tell us lots of valuable information.
When there is congruence between body, mind and spirit, the whole person is involved. There is no ‘fighting’ between the factions. For example if I decide to take a step in my business which seems like a great idea, yet every time I dive into the next step I feel a gut ache and feel dis-spirited, I am lacking alignment and congruence with my decision.
When a decision is right, it becomes sustainable (long lasting) - there is peace of mind, excitement, feeling sure, knowing it’s the right thing, inner guidance. It keeps them from giving way when/if doubt tries to sabotage them.
Your body often lets you know how you are feeling. If you catch yourself in a hunched position with your head hanging down, begin to notice your thoughts. What thoughts have created this body response?
Your body posture also lets others know how you are feeling, even if the clues are subtle. I’m sure you have noticed strangers walk down the street and had thoughts like:
· She looks like she’s having a great day.
· He looks like he’s depressed.
Your body is a representation of your innermost mindset. In one way or another, your body expresses your thoughts, feelings and mood. The good news is - you can change your posture and your external expression in the world by embodying new thoughts.
You can alter how you are feeling by changing your body. Even though it may feel inauthentic at first, act as if. It is more difficult to feel dis-spirited when your shoulders are back, your head is held high and you have a smile on your face.
There’s a Charlie Brown cartoon that goes like this.
Charlie is standing with a slumped body posture and he says to Lucy, “This is my depressed stance. When you’re depressed, it makes a lot of difference how you stand.
He straightens up and says “..the worst thing you can do is straighten up and hold your head high because then you’ll start to feel better.”
Charlie goes back to his slumped posture and says: “If you’re going to get any joy out of being depressed, you’ve got to stand like this.”
I invite you to try this experiment:
· Stand in front of a full length mirror and think a negative “it’s never going to happen” type thought. Exaggerate it for the sake of this experiment.
· Write down what you notice below.
Next
· Stand in front of a full length mirror and embody a positive thought, a thought that makes you feel joyful and fulfilled. Exaggerate it.
· Write down what you notice below.
Mirror Exercise
Non-resourceful thought: ________________________________________
My spirit is …
My energy is …
My posture is …
I stand as if …
My body feels …
My breathing is …
My eyes are …
My facial expression is …
My neck and shoulders are …
The position of my head is…
My knees are …
My primary emotion is …
My internal dialog sounds like this: …
Resourceful thought: ________________________________________
My spirit is …
My energy is …
My posture is …
I stand as if …
My body feels …
My breathing is …
My eyes are …
My facial expression is …
My neck and shoulders are …
The position of my head is…
My knees are …
My primary emotion is …
My internal dialog sounds like this: …
Notice a difference? Great! Enjoy your day.
© 2010 Body Mind Spirit Coaching. All Rights Reserved.
If you would like to use this article, written by Marlena Field , on your website or in your own e-newsletter, you MUST include the following:
Marlena Field, PCC, CPCC, founder and author of Body-Centered Coaching, offers a free e-newsletter titled BodyMind Wisdom: listen to your body, connect with your spirit. When you subscribe, you will receive her free audio titled “Conscious Choices for Change”.
Visit www.BodyMindSpiritCoaching.com
Do you remember what it was like to be so enthused about possibilities
that nothing stopped you?
When we were girls between eight to ten years old, we were in the pivotal place between being a child and the beginning stages of adolescence. We were fully alive, curious about the world, masters of our creativity and enthused with the possibilities in life. We were not deterred by limiting thoughts about what was possible for our lives. Playful, yet purposeful, we had beliefs in our own ability even if we had no language for them. We knew, “This is me.”
In “The Girl Within”, Emily Hancock says, “…the 8-10 year old occupies an intermediate zone of childhood, an interim space between fantasy and reality that fosters creative self-ownership. A child this age enjoys a wholeness of self, a unity with the cosmos, a natural radiance.” And then, culture stepped in to direct our future path, messing with our perspectives. We were influenced by demands deemed to be in the feminine realm and were encouraged to conform and become compliant. Changes occurred.
Some aspects of ourselves went underground. We lost contact with our true selves. We may not have been aware that a loss occurred; that something essential was lost. Yet we have a yearning that niggles at us – a still small voice trying to get our attention in order that we don’t lose ourselves forever.
As women, we long to reclaim our essence, our lost self. Emily Hancock suggests that “…the task of a woman’s lifetime boils down to reclaiming the authentic identity she’d embodied as a girl.” Remembering these years from eight to ten years old is one key to reclaiming your essence. Remembering is powerful. It can produce a personal epiphany, much like a watershed - our reality shifts. The good news is that by “remembering” who we were and what we were all about can bring about the re-connection with self.
By remembering, we gain access to the girl and re-embrace her. We have the opportunity to tap into our clarity and inner wisdom again. We have an opportunity to remember those times when our essence was unleashed, unbridled and in full view. Anything was possible. We remember when our essence informed us, moved us, and inspired us, without thinking about it. Some women report that this was their first encounter with the divine, the mystical or natural forces - whatever that means to them. This was a touchstone of identity.
I invite you to create some quiet time, away from distractions, to be with yourself and your memories. Allow yourself to reflect back on being between eight and ten years old and notice what you remember. You may remember where you lived; your connection with family, friends and nature; some special experiences or adventures; your thoughts and aspirations about your future; your dreams; your essential nature. You may reflect on stories that others tell about you at that age, and how they portray you.
Take some time to answer these questions, in writing or as a mind map.
What were the highlights?
What did you know about yourself?
What seemed possible in your imagination?
What is the essence in these stories?
What were your dreams?
© 2010 Body Mind Spirit Coaching. All Rights Reserved.
If you would like to use this article, written by Marlena Field , on your website or in your own e-newsletter, you MUST include the following:
Marlena Field, PCC, CPCC, founder and author of Body-Centered Coaching, offers a free e-newsletter titled BodyMind Wisdom: listen to your body, connect with your spirit. When you subscribe, you will receive her free audio titled “Conscious Choices for Change”.
Visit www.BodyMindSpiritCoaching.com
Surrender is an interesting word, with a multitude of meanings. I am using the word surrender to be the embodiment of being in the flow with our body, mind and spirit. It includes the experience of acceptance of what is, what is true. It encompasses the ability to be differentiated, to be your own person.
In 2003, my husband Jim suffered a major stoke. Over the past year, and exacerbated over the past couple of months, his level of functioning has taken a turn. To witness this has been heart-breaking. To support our four adult children over the holiday season as they witnessed this new level was bitter sweet.
As an advocate for ‘surrender to what is’ I have been challenged to walk my talk…and I am now ready to speak about it. Has the process been easy…no! Has it been heart-wrenching…yes! Have I created my own suffering by wanting it to be different…absolutely! Is there a gift here somewhere…I believe so!
As I noticed myself feeling victimized, resentful, fearful, ripped-off, crazy…my body reacted with sensations of tension and chaos. When my thoughts and emotions were on the ‘wrong train of thought’ I experienced deflation of my spirit and my well-being.
As I move towards the heart-ache and acknowledge it from a place of true sadness, I feel comforted. This is a more authentic place for me to feel the truth and to move through the process with acceptance and allow whatever needs to happen happen. I show up for myself and recognize that this experience is indeed a process.
As I write this today, I feel centered and strong. As I surrender to what is, I know that I can handle it from a place of strength. I have a choice to be in control of my own experience and as I continue to go to ‘higher ground’ what will be will be. I ‘remember the resource’ within myself – my embodied strong inner core that will see me through difficult times. I can count on it.
[If you have my book, read chapter six (Remembering the Resource) where I teach the technique to help clients embody their internal resource.] When a resource is embodied (felt and owned in the body) it is much more powerful than an experience of the mind.
If you are struggling with non-acceptance of a situation, I recommend that you become mindful, be with your breath, allow the authentic feeling to wash over you, notice what is happening in your body, shed the tears you need to shed, and surrender to what is - infuse yourself with acceptance of what is. And, of course be gentle with yourself in the process.
p.s. an unbelievable synchronicity!!
As I finished this writing, I felt an intuitive urge to go to the front door, even though I had already received today’s mail. There was a large package with my name on it!! Inside the package was a beautiful pink blanket from my friend and colleague Kim Boyden, who has been aware of my process over the past couple of months. And, guess what the blanket was about … you guessed it…STRENGTH. I am wrapped up in it as I type. ?
On the blanket is written a number of affirmations on strength. A few of them are:
- My mind, body and spirit are strong
- I take time each day to rejuvenate and recharge
- I draw from a deep well of peace and calm
- I breathe in strength and release my fears
- I trust my intuition and live a courageous life
- and many others in relation to accomplishing goals and following the heart’s deep desires
If you would like to check out the store, please go here.
© 2010 Body Mind Spirit Coaching. All Rights Reserved.
If you would like to use this article, written by Marlena Field , on your website or in your own e-newsletter, you MUST include the following:
Marlena Field, PCC, CPCC, founder and author of Body-Centered Coaching, offers a free e-newsletter titled BodyMind Wisdom: listen to your body, connect with your spirit. When you subscribe, you will receive her free audio titled “Conscious Choices for Change”.
Visit www.BodyMindSpiritCoaching.com
I was being coached on a business decision, when my coach asked me, “Are you playing to win…or are you playing not to lose?” Talk about an immediate perspective shift!
So often when I make business decisions, I have what I call the “back door open” or at least some kind of contingency plan. When I operate from that place, I experience a lack of firm commitment to my goals and my inner knowing. I enter into the decision with an attitude that is less than 100% in the game.
Whatever your goal is around creating a more abundant life in some area, pause to reflect on whether you are playing to win - or whether you are playing not to lose.
Playing to win means being on the offense – having the intention and commitment to get to where you want to go, no matter what, and playing full out to get there. It requires a definite decision to move forward.
Playing not to lose is being on the defense - covering all the bases, having other options to fall back on, having a contingency plan.
For example, take a look at your coaching business. Reflect on how you ‘play the game’. Is your primary concern survival and security - which is where I can certainly get stuck - or is your primary concern the full expression of your work in the world, no matter what? I challenge myself with this on a regular basis.
Begin to look at your habits to see which category they fit into.
If you are playing not to lose, you may invest a small amount of money in your business, with a number of possible contingency plans if this one doesn’t work out.
If you are playing to win, you may decide to invest a larger amount of money - have a committed intention: focus on the result: take action.
Situation: _______________________________________________________
Playing not to lose looks like ________________________________________
Playing to win looks like ____________________________________________
We are always at choice.
© 2009 Body Mind Spirit Coaching. All Rights Reserved.
If you would like to use this article, written by Marlena Field , on your website or in your own e-newsletter, you MUST include the following:
Marlena Field, PCC, CPCC, founder and author of Body-Centered Coaching, offers a free e-newsletter titled BodyMind Wisdom: listen to your body, connect with your spirit. When you subscribe, you will receive her free audio titled “Conscious Choices for Change”.
Visit www.BodyMindSpiritCoaching.com
Who comes to mind when you ask yourself:
· “Who are my role models?”
· “What are my favorite quotes…and who said them?”
As a coach, you may have a quote in your signature line at the bottom of all your emails.
We often choose role models and/or quotes that exemplify some unexpressed part of ourselves…or a longing we have to create something more: a different way of being…or a positive perspective that we want to embody more fully. They call us forth and inspire us to higher ground.
One of my favorite quotes is by Eleanor Roosevelt: “What other people think of me is none of my business.” It brings up a sense of relief; it speaks of freedom and of choice. I aspire to more fully embody and live into that perspective. The more I practice mindfully, the better I become. It begins with noticing.
I notice when I begin to make decisions or take actions (or not) that are to please other people. I notice when my actions seem influenced by what other people may think of me. I notice when my limiting internal dialog says, “What will people think?”
I pause and remember this quote. I shift my perspective, connect with my values and come home to myself…and what is true for me. I then decide and act accordingly.
Take time to connect with your favorite role model / quote and imagine the “highest inner thoughts and perspectives” that kept them heading towards their goal; imagine what they would have had to believe about themselves to accomplish what they did.
And, if you embodied that perspective, how would that change you - your happiness, your way of being in the world?
I invite you to take some time with this format. Here’s an example:
Name: Eleanor Roosevelt
Perspective/Quote: “What other people think of me is none of my business.”
If I embodied this: I would be more true to myself vs. always trying to look good in someone else’s eyes. I would be more relaxed and less tense in my body. I would live my truth.
Name: ___________________
Perspective / Quote: _____________
If I embodied this I _______________
Have fun with this, and I would love to hear about any discoveries that you make.
© 2009 Body Mind Spirit Coaching. All Rights Reserved.
If you would like to use this article, written by Marlena Field , on your website or in your own e-newsletter, you MUST include the following:
Marlena Field, PCC, CPCC, founder and author of Body-Centered Coaching, offers a free e-newsletter titled BodyMind Wisdom: listen to your body, connect with your spirit. When you subscribe, you will receive her free audio titled “Conscious Choices for Change”.
Visit www.BodyMindSpiritCoaching.com