Marriage Retreat

I know a couple who have been looking for an unstructured marriage retreat experience. They have not found what they wanted so have decided to go away for the weekend to a lovely bed and breakfast. They are going to use the images to expand and enhance their communication through the weekend. They will take turns proposing questions and both select an image to express the answers to each other. Examples of some questions they might use include:

• Which image reminds you of the most powerful experience we have shared together?
• Which image helps you express what you feel is missing for you in our relationship?
• Which image captures what you most love about me?

Pick 3 images that illustrate how our relationship has evolved over time. One represents the past, one the present, and the third the future.

The questions are limitless.

Awareness of Choice

On March 23rd (after a week of 50 degree weather in Minnesota) 5 or more inches of snow fell, the temperature dropped to highs in the 30’s with a forecast for another week of cold temperatures. Not quite what we expect in what is now officially spring. As I started to complain, I remembered that I had a choice about how I responded to the forecasts. 

I decided to select an image for inspiration; a beautiful ornament hanging in a tree is what appeared! WOW, so many things came! Soon the trees will have leaves – which reminded me that, in years past, I literally have watched the trees bud and bloom before my eyes … anticipation set in for me.

I also remembered that in some years past precipitation has been low and drought conditions have persisted. This led me to awareness that this year there is a significant threat of VERY high river crests due to a year of higher than normal snow fall. This led me to realize that the cold temps right about now may be a blessing because what was flowing will freeze and perhaps slow the melt causing a little less devastation to those affected by the river crest.

All this took me to gratitude … for the changing of seasons, the ability to experience the beauty of all of them and the awareness of choice. I get to choose how I respond in all seasons. Bottom line, a glittering ball hanging in a tree took me from my usual complaining about the weather to anticipate for what is still to come and finally gratitude for all of it. Who would have guessed? What are you anticipating and grateful for?

Finding Calm

This image helps me find the calm inside of me. When your mind wanders, do you see and hear sounds or talk to yourself in words?

JICT images allow you to choose an image to represent something – an idea, a feeling, a solution, or an affirmation.

When I am feeling stressed or really off-center, I look at this image. It is a quick way for me to recapture this more helpful mood.

What do you see in this image?

Quickly Shift Your Mood

I find it impossible to be creative or productive when I am feeling stuck. There is no energy in ‘stuckness’. Choosing an image like this picture of the bridge over the Grand Canyon with its wide expanse and beautiful colors enables me to shift – almost jump - out of being stuck. Taking a deep breath and looking at this image, fills me with energy and spaciousness. The JICT images have the power to quickly shift your mood.

Testimonial - Reeds & Water

A workshop designed to create a vision for 2011, attracted a participant who was grieving the death of her spouse a few years ago and has had a difficult time determining a new path alone; she has felt lost. Her desire for acceptance and a new life seemed unattainable. 

The image of the reeds and the water spoke to her in a way that allowed her to acknowledge that things are cloudy, messy, unclear right now. And yet, there is a new way beyond the “clouds” and the “messiness” to acceptnace and clarity. Though she is not able to see it all yet, she was able to see that there are possibiliites to acceptance. She left inspired to examine how the clouds and the mess may be serving her to open the pathway to her new life. “Before this inspiration, I was stuck; now I have hope”.

User's Intuition - Students Respond

Amazing how intuition was tapped as other mentor students were inspired by an image s/he choose – RANDOMLY – and shared how the image reflected where each was in the process of finding a mentor.

The hot air balloon inspired a student who was feeling stuck and had not shared it to “ask for help”. The image allowed her to reveal that she was stuck about how to make more contacts and, until now, had not acknowledged that and had not asked for help. This awareness allowed her to identify who to ask and agree to “make the ask” by a specified time. Quite a breakthrough for her!

Another student, who had an agreement from a mentor, learned that he had been transferred out of state and she would have to find another. The image of the mask spoke sadness to her (she would have to begin again) … and persistence … she wants an experience in the medical field so she will keep going to find other prospects. Persistence will motivate her to get what she wants.

One lesson in using images this way is that sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know or are afraid to acknowledge what is real for us. An image gives us a way to safely speak our truth which leads to new possibilities and solutions.

On the Journey – Student Responses

A high school mentor program that I coordinate teaches students networking skills, how to conduct informational interviews and find a mentor. The learning is very practical and independent. Early in the term, students are challenged as they engage in activities in the professional realm that are very different from learning in a classroom.

A simple question about where each student finds him or herself in the process of finding a mentor (the stated goal) yields silence or a response such as fine. When asked to choose an image and share how it reflects where s/he is in the process, doors open into a different reality; we learn that, in many cases, things are not fine.

The image of “footprints in the snow” led one student to acknowledge that she is on the path and that she gets discouraged when calls are not returned and the mentor has not manifested. The image was an inspiration to stay on the path and keep up the momentum so that she can reach her goal.

A student who had no response when simply asked where she was in the process of finding a mentor, acknowledged she was “stuck” when she drew the image of a kite in a tree. She wanted to be “released” to take action to move forward. When asked what would allow her to be released, she came up with a list of people and resources that would support her to move toward finding a mentor. Identifying these resources shifted her from hopelessness to excitement.

Image This! Pier at Dusk

Reflection about writing this edition of our newsletter, led me to choose an image – randomly! WOW, amazing where images lead us! I choose Pier at Dusk which carries the question “What wisdom comes with reflection?” 

As I reflected on the image, the wisdom that came to me was about contentment. Interesting what reflection generates and how infrequently most of us allow time for reflection. This led to pondering about the coming of spring.

How do you reflect at this time of year about the coming spring? I hear so many people complain about winter, lament about the cold and yearn for warmer weather. Funny how only six months ago (or less), I recall hearing similar complaints … it’s too hot, this humidity is dastardly!

Makes me wonder … what does it take for me to be content? Contentment assumes an element of acceptance. What would it be like if I “accepted” what is? How might it change my life? Besides the weather, where else would “acceptance” lead to contentment? I’d love to hear your insights!

Isn’t it interesting that the image of a dock at sunset with a lone individual can conjure up ideas of snow and heat and contentment? Fascinating!

Both-And Competition

We often get caught in thinking: If I choose X, then I have to give up Y.

When is it possible to have both X and Y?





Look at this image of both the moon and a bright morning sky in the Grand Canyon. Many times we can make room for two competing images.

How might thinking of both–and around an issue that you are struggling with bring more peace and a new approach?

One both-and for me is wanting to walk and needing to work at my computer.

My husband created a desk top for my treadmill so I have a walking desk. At 2.2 miles an hour, I can walk while I talk. What both-and is possible for you?

What are you nurturing?

This image makes me think of spring.

The question on the back of this card is, “What are you nurturing?” This mother swan is keeping guard over her baby cygnets.

What have you been waiting to hatch? 

Is there something that requires more attention to grow or build or develop than you have been giving it? 

Take a moment to reflect on an opportunity that has great potential and needs just a little more of your time.

Incubating a Great Idea

Is that you peering at me from the reeds? 

Are you comfortable there in your nest? 

Are you “incubating” a great idea? 

Great ideas do take some incubation time… some nurturing… some quiet time. How do you know when to bring them forth… when is the best time? I believe your “higher self” knows what is best and what is the truth for you. So, just ask. Find yourself in a centered place where all of your energy is balanced around and within you. After being in that place for awhile, shift your body and the energy within it slightly forward and sink your energy down. This will move you into what I call Earth Energy, a place where you connect with your deepest knowing. Once there, stay awhile… ask your question… and wait for an answer. The answer may come in thoughts, visualizations, or maybe a sign of some kind. Listen with your whole being… you will know when your higher self is speaking with you.

Another idea, ask and then use the JICT Image cards to “hear” your answers. The images that speak to your heart may have that message for which you are waiting.

How does your "bark" appear?

Sometimes it supports us to look at something unusual… like this atypical tree bark.

What comes to your mind when you gaze at this image? Even more, what comes to your heart? 

My first thought is that it reminds me how alike and how different we are from each other… and that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.  I may expect to see certain characteristics in a new client; however, he may show up very differently from my expectations.  I can choose to see the differences at what needs to be “fixed” (never a good coaching practice) or I can choose to be curious about the differences and what this person offers to the world. Hmmmm...

How does my “bark” appear to my clients?

Cards with Dance

The other day I did not like the emotions that were appearing in my daily life around life issues… the death of my mother and the sudden cancer diagnosis of my sister. I decided to “practice what I preach” and use the JICT Images to choose other emotions to support my living life these days. I spread out the image cards on the floor and spent some time just being with any of them that called to me. The “Woman in Joy” finally won out. Shifting into this body position supported me into moving towards whatever joy I could find in my life right now.  Yes, I got up off the floor and through my head back, opened my heart, and danced with JOY. I know that shifting the energy within my body will shift my emotions and within this position I can not feel the emotions of fear or even grief. So, while I danced, I experienced uplifting emotions… even joy… and turned my day around.