2012 Illumination

What will illuminate 2012 for you?

This new moon is representing the new year. What will bring its light into full splendor?

We have a choice in how this happens.

Will you take time to picture it now and then to allow it to appear?

What might serve you in doing this?

Rainbow and Obstacles

And more kid wisdom … A student recently chose the image of the rainbow behind the clouds when asked to share where she is in her life. It spoke to her of recognizing that there are obstacles in the way (school work, a family death and friend challenges) of achieving the outcomes she desires. However, she can see the rainbow behind and knows that the outcomes are achievable. Let’s be sure we are giving young people the credit they deserve for knowing what they want!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Holidays from the JICT Team to your family. No matter what type of celebration this type of year brings, we hope you are enjoying time with family and friends.

2012 is just around the corner. We can't wait to see what it brings!

What are your goals for 2012?

Ups and Downs

Kids have such wisdom … in this case high school kids. I recently asked a student to choose an image that reflected where he sees himself right now. He chose this roller coaster … for him it reflected that there are ups and downs. Right now he is in the middle and feeling really good about that. He’d like to spend much of his time in that “even” place rather than frequently be in the ups and downs. What wisdom!

Tolerating and Timing

The footprint offers insights into how we “let life lead”. So often we find ourselves on a path that is not fulfilling. We neglect to examine changing paths, forget to ask if it is the path we want, if it offers enrichment or if we are merely feeling stuck.

What have you been tolerating that you are ready to explore? Everything happens in its time … you know the saying … a season, a reason, a time. It is pretty common at some time to let “life lead” rather than “lead life”! Whether due to feeling powerless or without choice, we can fall prey to letting life happen.

Sound familiar? Take stock … have you been leading life or have you been intentional about where you are going? Name 3 things in your life that you have been tolerating that you are ready to explore. How would you like to be different about them? What would be required to stop tolerating? How ready are you to STOP tolerating? Remember, timing is everything … be sure it is the right season, reason and the time! Next steps will be obvious and feel comfortable when the time is right! Meanwhile the exploration will certainly bring you new awareness.

What a Shift

Transformational Testimonial...

As my friend and I headed to the airport in Tucson for 7:00 am flights, fire energy prevailed; we were in the rapids! A significant lesson was afoot. Fire energy can be frenetic, chaotic, hot … as we left the hotel with what was perceived to be “just enough time”, we were unsure of the route (the IPhone directed us correctly and in our haste [fire] we headed in the wrong direction); that was corrected pretty quickly. We wanted to avoid the high cost of gas at the airport, however didn’t know the area and had neglected to consider gas station hours (more fire… the rapids were quickly escalating).

We pulled up to the pump on the side opposite from the gas tank sides … jockeying to correct. Inserting the credit card, posed choices; fire energy led to choosing incorrectly which necessitated going INTO the store (fire persisted) and more delay. We were worn out only a few minutes into the 30 minute trip and feeling certain that time was too short to make the airport on time for flights.

Declaring that fire energy was present and not serving us, allowed us to shift the energy and outcome to a timely arrival. Unsure of the route, we agreed to shift the energy; ground served us (all is well in my queendom!). We declared our intention to arrive exactly 1 hour prior to flight time. Ground energy supported us to slow down, breathe and stop to wonder when the IPhone posed a direction that confused us so as to choose the correct path.

And, guess what? We arrived exactly 1 hour prior to flight time at our intended upon arrival time. All really was well in our “queendoms”. Of course, we’ll never know how not shifting our energy might have impacted the arrival time, however, I do know that remaining in fire energy would have completely exhausted us and likely negatively impacted the friendship we share. Choose your energy wisely (and lightly); it impacts the outcome!

Making Time Matter

Our Journey...

For many of us, January 1 is a time to make resolutions, establish new practices. We actually have that opportunity daily so why is it that we place so much emphasis on January 1’s steps? Particularly at this time (as the end of the year approaches), I’d invite you to be intentional about each day and see what you notice.

As of this publishing – December 15th - 16 days (384 hours) remain until that “day of new resolution”.

On December 31 at midnight, as you bring in the new year, what do you want to celebrate about December 15-31, 2011?

How do you want to recall how you spent the last 384 hours?

Taking Myself Lightly

Image This...

An inspiration from the Taking Life Seriously, Myself Lightly conference came from Barb who recounted a few comments her granddaughter made upon noticing the differences between her eight year old arm / face and her grandmother’s. The image of the little girl reminds me to remember my child self in regard to lightness.
Of course the young girl’s questions highlighted grandma’s aging [things like those “wings” on our upper arms and the smile lines (read: wrinkles)] and prompted laughter … as well as a reminder to embrace what is and take it lightly! Much like every other thing in life, it’s important to balance significance and trivializing. Consider something of significance … how would bringing more lightness to it be valuable?

The visual of the child is representative of the value of allowing my childlike lightness to be present and also know that there are many helping hands. The adult wisdom is in knowing when to make the choice between accepting the hand and testing it on my own.

Lightness Inspires

Creativity in Action...

I recently attended an interesting Newfield Conference; Taking Life Seriously, Myself Lightly. Boy do I need that! I approach most things from the serious side. I love fun and lightness however, my default in just about anything is to start at the serious (do not confuse serious with negative or down). I can recall instances of a comment made meant to be funny and my initial attempt is to analyze, it figure it out … all of a sudden it dawns on me (and sometimes I have to be told) that it’s merely a light comment meant to shift the atmosphere or inspire reflection.

There is research to support that laughter is therapeutic. Did you know that pre-verbal babies laugh 300 times a day while adults 30 times? WOW! I set an intention a few years ago (moving to lightness has been a quest for me) that I would laugh daily each day. To keep this promise, I got hooked on the Golden Girls- it has so many funny lines that I laughed out loud all by myself. This practice brought to light the power of lightness … literally, I FELT lighter (emotionally and physically).

As of this writing, I’m setting a new intention … to practice seeing from the light vs. serious side until the end of the year (a recollection of how I spent at least 16 of my last 384 hours of 2011 – read on and this will make sense).

Where in your life would more lightness serve you?

Hiding in Shadows

In which part of your life are you hiding your head in the shadows? Sometimes we find we are just moving through life, one foot in front of the other and have allowed part of us to recede into the shadows. What might bring you back out into the sunlight?

Serendipity

At the first Annual On Purpose Women Conference in Columbia, Maryland, I was really drawn to talk to the woman sitting next to me at one of the workshops. We had much in common and wanted to exchange business cards. I had forgotten my cards, but offered to write my contact info on the back of my JICT Images marketing card, which is also the image on the bottom of our JICT box of images. She turned if over and asked me about the picture of the Grand Canyon. When I explained that this was one of 72 amazing images that I use for facilitating and coaching, she told me it was exactly what she had been looking for at a price she could afford. The only similar product that she could find was over $300. She was thrilled to write me a check for $89 and walk away with the one box of cards I had brought with me to the conference. In addition, she was excited about joining us as an Associate to earn 30% of all the sales she makes by sharing the products within her network. If this interests you, check it out at www.JICTimages.com. And when you are drawn to speak to someone, go for it!

Birthday Wrap Up

A continuation....

As birthdays go, 62 is not typically a benchmark year; yet it was extremely special for me. The YaYa gathering was a true celebration … GREAT food prepared by a fabulous hostess, coupled with wine, friends and inspiring conversation. What more could one desire?

Though not a stated desire, I was blessed with certainty, answers and jubilation which led to more questions for which I am most grateful.

Friends, save one, abided by my wishes and made contributions to favorite charities in lieu of gifts … when I opened the checks, I was uplifted. The “save one”, gifted me with a book, The Velveteen Rabbit, to share with my grandchildren that has special relevance to their deceased grandfather (she knew nothing of the connection) & great-grandmother.

Conversation involved sharing our concerns about the rest of our lives, the difference we make in the world and our desire to remain vital. A particularly powerful question inspired me to remember to COMPLETELY treasure each day, appreciate the people in my life, and not sweat the small stuff. It led me to explore some things I may want to “let go”.

And as I looked around the room I could not help but realize that like the unique vases on the sill, each of these friends (and those there in spirit) add richness to my life because they come with a special gift. At the end of the “birth” day, “stuckness” (read the previous blog postings regarding these topics) was replaced with gratitude and I was comfortable with the uncertainty and unknowing because being accepting of them earlier had manifested a day I could not have imaged to emerge!

Until my next birthday … happy birthday to you!!!

Stay Grounded

More Birthday Revelations ...

I was inspired throughout my birthday … the long walk and looking forward to an evening celebration with the YaYa’s (a special group of girlfriends) energized me. My day was productive and fulfilling … the “stuckness” was replaced by the feeling of lightness! (That stuck car had been replaced by a hot air balloon ready for flight).

And, social media made the entire day celebratory … I didn’t bother to count the number of birthday greetings I received. I merely savored them and was elated knowing how many people took the time to share their care. What had promoted “self pity” only a few days prior? What a reminder to “ground” my assessments!

Don’t miss the birthday wrap up…

One Birthday Answer

I woke VERY early on the 29th of September (my birthday!) for a walk with a friend … 4 miles, more than my usual. She asked about my work … was not clear about exactly what it involved. As I described the work I do supporting people to generate a new awareness, to explore possibilities, to be curious and inquiring, answers were revealed to me.

The answers revealed involved satisfaction, fulfillment, purpose. My work is aligned with my purpose … apparently I needed a reminder of that. As I shuffled through the images for a reflection after my walk, this flower spoke to me of beauty and growth … the beauty & blossoming of each person I encounter!

All of a sudden the concern about the “unknowing” in business gained clarity. In the way that I serve, it is not about me rather about my client. “Unknowing” is the best place a coach can be. I LOVE my work and my ability to support people to grow and develop … especially young people! More birthday revelations ahead …

Rainbow Behind Clouds

Birthday Transition continued....

A few days before September 29th, my birthday, my son suggested dinner with the boys, wives, grandkids the day after. Ok, answers began to emerge … they did remember it was my special day!

Looking forward to celebrating with them diminished some of the “stuckness” (read my early post titled "Birthday Transition" and my self pity). The rainbow was emerging from behind the clouds … the answer to “do they remember” was YES, of course they do. What makes me think they would not?

They have never forgotten in 62 years! Boy how we sabotage ourselves sometimes.

Birthday answers coming …

Birthday Transition

My birthday is in September, just a short bit ago. As part of my reflection about the shift into MY new year (I view each birthday as my own personal step into what is next!), I pulled the image of the car. It spoke to me about uncertainty, unknowing and yes maybe even “stuckness”! You see, there were no celebratory plans until a week before the day!

The uncertainty lay in what I want to unfold in this coming year … it was not clear. And yet, having been single for 14 years since the sudden death of my husband, I really want a life partner. It’s just not happening! There was some clarity the evening of the 29th which was totally unexpected.

The unknowing lay in not having answers … personal, business, family … at the moment of reflection each domain had unanswered questions. I’ve become much more comfortable being in the questions and yet coupled with the uncertainly & “stuckness”, I was craving answers.

The “stuckness” was a bit of feeling sorry for myself… a week to go until my special day and no one had offered any invitation to celebrate. To be continued …

Powerful Tulips

This is a great JICT image to use with a team to start a conversation about how well the team is functioning. You might ask each person to choose the flower that represents how he feels on the team.
Is she part of the bunch on the left or perhaps one of the isolated flowers on the right?
What does the team need to bring the bunch together?
What is the significance of the white and purpose flowers?

This image is filled with possibilities. Try this when you have a real bouquet of flowers – it is a really powerful exercise.

Loose Ends

This spool of string would tie up a lot of loose ends! Funny how just tying up one or two might make a big difference in your life. For me, getting rid of a lot of the clutter in my closet, those extra clothes and shoes I never wear, would sure make my life easier. And I’d feel really good tying up the bags full of clothes that I then donate to the women’s shelter.

Who do you know who would benefit from spending a little time thinking about what they could tie up?

I’d better hurry because it’s getting really cold outside and I need to make room for my winter clothes!

Strong as a Bison

I write this as I am watching the Monday night football game. An Indianapolis Colt’s leg was injured quite seriously and all play stopped on the field. As both teams worked on this young man, the other players stood silently watching and waiting - almost feeling the pain - and trying on the idea of a destroyed career. Why do I watch this game... (I ask myself)... because I hate watching these mere mortals break.

So why choose a buffalo from the JICT deck of cards? Not because I love the Buffalo Bills (I am actually a Redskin fan), but because I sure wish these guys were as solid and strong as this massive animal. On the other hand he sure would look funny in a Susan B. Komen pink headband due to October's celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Being Present

How do you stay present when everything starts looking the same?

On a recent trip rafting down Cataract Canyon in Utah, the cliffs, much like these Grand Canyon cliffs, started to look all the same. I knew that every moment of this trip was very special and I wanted to appreciate the beauty, immensity, and history of these gorgeous rock walls.

Ellen J. Langer, Harvard Professor and author of multiple books on Mindfulness, suggests that we can increase our ability to pay attention and be present by finding the novelty in it. As I flowed past these walls, I started to search for differences in color, texture, and pattern. I looked for wildlife, plants growing from the rocks, and listened for birds - anything that would offer something new to see or hear.

Being present in those six days of the trip was important to me because I knew it would be a long time before I saw such beauty again. Fortunately, this JICT image quickly brings me back there.

AmeriCorps Volunteers

Transformational Testimonial...

We were amazed at how powerful the images worked in my AmeriCorps Volunteer small group training. At the start of the 3 days, we asked our group of 15 participants to choose an image that captured how they felt about working with young girls. While this took almost a full hour, it set the stage for the rest of the training.

One young woman chose this troubled mask to describe the pain that many of the young girls in her program experience by being excluded and teased by her peers. This also evoked memories of her own childhood where she struggled to fit in. As she was sharing, she realized that her personal experience growing up was the inspiration for her work as a young adult. Her face lit up with delight as she connected the dots. And all of this came from an image. The intimate sharing brought our group closer and set the stage for a very powerful training!

WOW! La Trenza Leadership Training Team

Just Right

User's Intuition...

I spread out 8 random JICT images in front of my client to help her articulate how her mood had changed by the end of our coaching session. I asked her to pick the image that ‘spoke to her’ - using a phrase that was ambiguous and very open so she had freedom to go wherever she wanted.

In all the times I had used images with clients, I had never observed someone find the ‘just right’ card by a process elimination. One by one she brushed the images off to the side until two were left. All the rejected images were in tones of blue, while these two remaining were filled with color. It was quite a surprise to her to see that she had kept colorful ones since she always choose to wear the more muted colors in the rejected pile.

The next question was revealed: Where had the color gone in her life? This opened up a whole new territory of learning for both of us!

Cortexercise

Creativity in Action...

Lisa Wolters, MSW, has created the term cortex-ercise to describe how she uses the JICT images with drug addicts to strengthen their atrophied pre-frontal cortex.
In Lisa’s words…..

I use the JICT images during intensive outpatient group therapy for people who have been diagnosed with substance use disorders. I have them select a card face down from a pile without them seeing the picture beforehand. I give them a moment to study the card, giving notice to any characteristics, patterns, relationships that speak to them within the image. I then present a question that asks them to relate what they perceive on the image to their life - past, present, current, or any combination. I give another few minutes for silent reflection and then have each person share their image with the rest of the group and discuss how the image relates to them.

Asking substance use disorder clients to use these images to create a metaphor for their own experience accomplishes several things:

1. The act of higher-order abstract thinking requires utilization of the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that for many clients with chemical dependence has become atrophied due to the rewiring of their limbic system to maintain their dependency. To utilize this part of the brain is to strengthen, and to strengthen is to learn new skills that will interrupt the addiction and relapse cycle.
2. Clients are able to use visualization cues to help process their experience. This allows them to have a tool in addition to verbal and written language that may facilitate the process of recovery.
3. Clients are able to use this activity to stimulate dialogue and the building of interpersonal relationships in a therapeutic environment. The mutual sharing of images and experiences promotes the learning of empathy as clients challenge themselves to see other's perceptions in their own images and vice versa.

Our Journey to Tucson

Our Journey ...

As I write this article, I am about to head out to Tucson to meet my JICT business partners for a retreat to imagine how we might share these 72 JICT images with a wider audience.

Although we talk almost weekly about our JICT business, we have not been together in person for over 3 years. Our retreat will be a reunion for us as friends and an opportunity for us to have the luxury of time and shared physical space to explore how to grow our small business.

This image and its corresponding question offer a perfect beginning for our retreat: “The complexity of something so simple appears with the willingness to just look…What would benefit from more reflection?”

Where would this question best serve you in your journey?

Two Dogs

Image This...

This is a great fall or closer to winter picture taken in Central Park, NYC. It shows two very different dogs. One is large, solid and immovable. The other is tiny and alive.

Which one are you drawn to?

Which one seems more powerful?

And Why?

Possible Knot

Are you evenly wound or do you find yourself in a knot in some aspect of your life?

To me, this role of string is perfectly organized to be of service. However, there is a possible knot at the top of the role.

Can we be too organized to be of service to others?

Where in your efforts to be organized might there be a knot that could stop your ability to serve?

Repeating Pattern

When I look at this image, I see a repeating pattern. It doesn’t have to be perfect for me to find order. You may be like me and take in the whole picture finding it calming and peaceful. Or you might be a more detail-oriented person and find this image inconsistent, busy and unsettling.

How does your body respond to this image?

What emotions does it evoke in you?

Your Purpose

This swan is very clear about her purpose - to protect and feed her offspring.

• Do you know your purpose?
• Are you able to make choices in your work and your play that bring meaning to your life?
• When was the last time you took a ‘purpose’ inventory of all of the things in your nest?
• Which ones might you leave behind because they are energy drains rather than allowing your natural, authentic self to grow?

Late Summer Heat

Reptiles soak up the sun and move more quickly when they are warm.

What do you find is happening for you in the late summer heat?
Is the heat slowing you down or allowing you to run faster?
What would support you in moving at the speed that would serve best?

Helping Hand

It is the season of a return to learning of some kind.


Pretend you are the girl in this picture.
Do you desire support in your new learning adventure?
Or, do you desire to do it yourself?

Pretend you are the helper.
How do you offer support?
Do you grab the hand and pull the learner up the stairs?
Or, do you wait to be asked?

Like Bison

Ponder this image a moment.

• How are you like this bison?
• Do you find yourself somewhere that doesn’t feel natural to you?
• Where would you rather be?

Whenever we wake up and observe that where we are isn’t natural for us, it serves to take some time to ponder what would feel more natural… what is the more ideal place for us to be. And think about this… it serves us better to ponder where we would rather be then to ponder how we got here.

Moods

What mood are you living within?

We live within moods and often cannot even name them. Moods control what is possible… or not, for us. The good news is that we do have a choice to shift from one mood to another. Use the images you see on this blog page to name a mood you find yourself within. Now choose another image that brings to your mind and heart, a mood that would better serve you and those around you. Whenever you find yourself controlled by the 1st mood, reflect on the image of your chosen mood.

Wait and watch for a shift to happen…

Transformational Testimonial

Transformation Testimonial...

“I’m so impressed with your questions and photography. They take me to a place that doesn’t get enough light. Thank you!”
--Karen Lauria Zimmerman as posted on the JICT Images, LLC Facebook wall.

Yes, Karen, that is our intention. It is the amazing… even magical… use of coaching questions and images.

Thank you for sharing!!

NEW JICT Blog!!

Welcome to the new JICT Images Blog! www.jictimages.com

You must have taken the first step to be able to explore this new dynamic interface. You clicked the image and are now in the pop-up window displaying our posting.

This is how you can navigate our blog for all of our blog posting and images.

Which image calls to your heart? To explore, just click it! A pop-up window similar to this one will open and you can read the posting. Chose another... and another... for inspriation or relevation!

Click on "comments" and share your thoughts.
With gratitude, the JICT Team.

Tree of Life

On the Journey...

How does this tree represent where you are in your life?

Have your branches (some part of your life) lost their leaves?

If so, is this part of the life process… the autumn of some piece of your life where you know new leaves will come after a period of dormancy, perhaps reflection?

How might this time serve you?

What gift comes from allowing time for dormancy and/or reflection?

Creative Barks

Creativity in Action...

The bark of this tree appears as a little more creative than some barks. It is you choice if this particular bark appears as beautiful or not… maybe a characteristic of how others view your creative endeavors.

How does your creativity show up? If you perceive it does not, at least as much as you would like, how can you allow it to appear? Does a certain amount of fear of the judgment of others hold it back? Could you let that go?

Four Aces

Image This...

What “aces” (gifts) are you holding?

Reflect on the Ace of Spades… Ace of Hearts… Ace of Diamonds… and Ace of Clubs.

What comes to your mind and heart for each one?

We each have unique gifts that sometimes come so easy for us that we don’t even recognize them. If we don’t recognize them, perhaps we are not sharing them with others in all the ways we might.

Which of your gifts might you find mores ways to share and thus serve others?

Anchored Ship

“How brilliantly do you show up?” That is the question on the back of this JICT image.

When I reflect on this question, I see it as – How much more brilliantly can I show up? It seems like the color on this image has been digitally enhanced to bring out the blues of the sky and the water. It takes effort to deepen and brighten the colors just as it will take effort for me to show up more brilliantly.

Do I need to bring more excitement and enthusiasm to my every day life? Do I need to find new ways to express myself?

I wonder what ‘buoy’ I need to hold on to or release to allow me to show up more brilliantly.
How does this image speak to you?

Walk in the Woods

How does this image relate to your relationship with your spouse or significant other?

Recently I (Jane) attended a wedding on Whidby, Island, WA.

As I listened to the young bride and groom speak their beautiful, inspirational vows to each other, I tried them on as I always do at weddings. How have their vows played out in my 16-year marriage? Have my husband and I kept our promises to each other? Rather than go through an analysis, I would much rather connect to the feelings evoked by looking at this image of this couple. The honeymoon to Italy and the thrilling and anxious decisions of early marriage have faded away. Feelings of peace, and contentment seem to permeate this image. How lovely it is to take a simple walk in the woods with a very familiar companion.

Retirement Relevant

“Which image represents your feeling about retirement?” I asked a small group of friends.

Although everyone was still highly engaged in their work, they were facing decisions about the big R. What was surprising was that a husband and wife both picked this same image of the raft to capture their feelings. He saw retirement as exciting and new, but with lots of trepidation. Fear and uncertainty were his prevailing emotions. And she recognized that her next pursuit would have to be something where she was in the ‘thick of it’. She would be the persona (wo)manning the oars ready for adventure with a new terrain filled with big decisions to be made. Using this image, the couple was able to bring new insights to the challenging, real conversation about when to retire and what to do next for them as individuals and a couple.

If retirement is a relevant topic in your life, what does this image evoke for you?

It Is a Choice

There is always a choice! Sometimes we forget that which is when we feel stuck. Choice is a good thing to remember … and often easy to forget. Interesting how selective we can be in our remembering and forgetting. Somehow we are quite able to focus on whatever it is that defeats us … remembering things that no longer serve us is often easy; forgetting things that do serve us more challenging.

It is said that to change a habit (shift) it takes 30 days of persistent action in a new direction. To make a shift several things must be in place:

• clarity about the shift itself
• identified benefit for making the shift
• clear value about the shift and
• desire to make it.

If I choose to live in an “unstuck” place re my career, the following steps may be helpful:

• clarity … using the kite, I want to see myself as about to launch vs. stuck in the tree
• benefit … launching will inspire me to investigate new career opportunities
• value … I fulfill my life purpose in a career position that fulfills me
• desire … I’m ready to feel rewarded, fulfilled and make a difference in the work that I do

For the next 30 days I forget to remember a stuck kite; I visualize the kite soaring to heights as far as I can imagine … and beyond!

Or I can choose to hold on to the “stuck in the tree” story … the narrative may then be no matter what I do, I will never find a job that fulfills me; I’m too old (or young), I’m a poor interviewer, and on and on. This is the story I’d suggest remembering to forget!

Glittering

What is glittering around you?
A visit from family?
A new iPad?
A lovely romance?
Does it distract you from what needs doing or does it put things in perspective?

This image supports my reflecting on all of those things and takes me much deeper into what I can glean from each of them.

Joyful Place

Ahhhhh!

I love how this woman inspires my finding my joyful place. Images can support us in shifting our emotions from one place to another. Whenever I am feeling “joy-less”, I pull out this image card, move myself into this position and just smile. My day can turn on a dime!

Different Views

What do you see first in the image?
The fading light?
The calmness of the water?
The boats tied up for the night… or is it the light of dawn?
What emotion arises for you in this image?
Peace with the pause of time?
Fear of what lurks beneath the pier?

It amazes me how differently each of us views an image… our lives at any given moment… a situation that appears before us. What always comes to mind for me when this happens is that we have a choice in creating our reality in any given moment. What do you choose today?

Double Rainbow

The summer showers often end with a gorgeous rainbow or even two. Every time I see one I’m amazed anew. Using images to reflect more deeply often clears the clouds so people can see within themselves and/or a situation. The rainbow from the image can lead to more possibilities. What team or group that you know might benefit from letting images take them to the “heart of the matter”?

Prickly Situation

What prickly situation has found you this summer?

We try to avoid these… but they sometimes find us. Can you stop and just be with whatever it is? Then, can you find what beauty lies within it? When we accept a situation and allow it to be, we often find a key to letting it go by actually seeing it with new eyes. How might this work for you right now?

Focus

A student who was referred for coaching reported that at the beginning of her work with a coach she was not focused on what was right I front of her in the moment because she was fixated on the past.

As she was supported to focus and move forward, she reported seeing things from a new view; she’s become focused, content and happy. Success! Images evoke feelings that express much more than words.

Inspiration

This image chosen by an educator reflecting on how coaching will inspire her to approach teaching differently, inspired an interesting reflection. At first she was not sure which way was UP … she realized that she was seeing a reflection and that it did not matter. Developing coaching skills has broadened her awareness that there are multiple ways of looking at every situation. She will allow that awareness to penetrate how she looks at each student.