Team Role

I am always surprised that almost anyone can find himself in this image. My client, who is in charge of training at an oil drilling station in northern Africa, selected this from 6 random images. His job is to work with a team who is under-performing and whose jobs are in jeopardy with an impending merger. I asked him which image illustrated his role with his team. He said he was the hand reaching out to ‘help’ his team members. They needed to recognize that he knew what would help them keep their jobs. When I asked him to focus on the little girl and what she needed from him, he realized that she was doing just fine all by herself. Our conversation shifted from him telling his team what they needed to stepping back and asking his team how he could support them through this difficult time. He realized that he was not giving them a chance to take charge of their own lives. He felt lighter, more hopeful and ready to engage anew with his team.

Discover the Images

In case you are curious like Chaz Kerschner, who is the photographer of many of our JICT images and the man wondering how this tiny car got into this tinier spot, you may want to discover a little more about us and what these images are all about.

Carol Harris-Fike, our other image photographer, Irene Kelly, and I, Jane Kerschner, dedicated many hours each week for over three years to create and launch this set of provocative pictures. We found in our work as coaches, educators, trainers, and facilitators that an image can inspire a person or group to 'get to the heart of the matter' in an instant and open up totally transformative conversations.

To read more, check out these two articles published in the April Newfield Network Newsletter and let us know what you think! http://www.newfieldnetwork.com/New/News/0411/Spotlight/index.cfm

Observer Change

Uhmmmm, does this image remind you of one of your clients? If so, how? Is the lizard beautiful to you in its uniqueness or is it something from which you want to run? We bring our unique observer to viewing any image. It is curious how that observer may change day to day… even when thinking of our clients!

Perennials

I just replaced some of my perennials in my garden this morning. One of these beautiful flowers did not want to let go of the plastic pot it was in so that I could place into the rich garden soil. I pondered this for a moment and wondered why anyone would hold onto something like a “plastic pot” when she could choose “rich garden soil”. What is it about staying in the known that sometimes keeps us from taking the risk and moving to something sooooo much better???

String Roll

How is your life like this roll of string? Do you notice how it was wound on the core? What would happen if you unrolled 10 feet and re-wound it in a different pattern on the core? What would happen if you unwound the whole roll? How does the holder through which the string is released support or not support the changes that happens as you unroll your string of life?

Conflicted Response

As I heard the reaction of people to the demise of Osama Bin Laden, my response was conflicted. I was challenged! Information indicates that this man was the brains behind the despicable acts on 9/11 that killed 3,000 and forever changed so many lives. Yet, even accepting that as truth, I was appalled by how human beings can rejoice and celebrate the killing of another person. I rummaged through my images seeking clarity.

This image of a tunnel helped … dark and light together. It spoke to me of feeling trapped and while also seeing light and hope. The darkness shows up in many ways … my own shadows that self sabotage, our tendency to move easily to negativity (think weather … how many of us celebrate the rain or the snow.. and then think bigger issues), horrendous acts against each other and the list goes on. I notice more and more how so many of us tend to start with negativity before we can get to the positive side.

Back to the tunnel … is also spoke to me of light and hope. The opening beckons one to the other side, it speaks to me of brightness, hope and freedom. Freedom from the dark side, hope that we can shift from beginning with negativity before moving to the positive side of an issue and brightness that at some point the peoples of the world will be more inclined to it than the darkness.

This dichotomy of dark and light in the very same small image led me to an acceptance of a variety of responses which initially took me to a very judgmental place… both about despicable acts and responses to murder. The question associated with this image “What are your expectations?” was particularly powerful in this process for me … WOW! AS I examined mine, I realized they are just that … MY EXPECTATIONS … what do you learn from examining yours?

Queenship

Do you feel like a queen (or king) today? How does this mood support you? Are you better able to watch the craziness of your subjects and know everything will be okay… because of the wisdom you hold as the queen? Or do you wish you could come down off your thrown and not be “in charge” for a day? What would serve you in whatever mood you find your queenship?

Trapped Past

Creativity in Action ...
When we focus on the past we remain trapped in it! Staying mired in the past prevents us from moving forward. Noticing the skyline and the road ahead opens pathways to open new possibilities. Once we see possibilities, we are able to shift actions and get the results we want. Where in your life, are you stuck with something that happened in the past? What would support you to take a step forward … maybe many steps?

It occurs to me that perhaps those who celebrated in the streets upon hearing of Bin Laden’s death were mired in the past and will now be free to move forward. We all have our stuck places; it is often the emotions that keep us stuck. Where would emotional release be beneficial? Consider a healthy release that would make a difference … physical activity, journaling, medication with intention re the emotion … share your own practices that allow healthy emotional releases!

Quarter Moon

On the journey...

While writing a report for a project, I needed a break, I tuned in to Oprah. The show happened to feature the Freedom Riders 50th Anniversary, May4, 1961. What brave souls … white and black together who were so committed to equality that they were willing to give their lives to achieve integration. I sobbed as I pondered how human beings can harm each other and justify it because of race.

As I listened to a woman (white) who at 12 years old cared for riders who were attacked on a bus in Addison, Alabama and was reunited with one of the men (black) that she ministered to, I could not help but reflect on how children are our most powerful teachers. This young girl saw a need and responded to it. She had some sense of danger and yet primary was that people were hurt and had needs (she brought comfort and water to those on the bus).

Just after this viewing , when leading a group using images, the half moon image jumped out at me as a reminder of “two sides to each story” (a phrase my Mom used frequently). In this case the black & the white side … and yet there were folks of both colors who could only see one side of the story. Noticing that there are “two sides” (and often more) brings awareness that is expanding. Holding that our side is the only or right or absolute side limits possibilities. What power is the lessons of this 12 year old girl … don’t worry about the story, take action that serves others when needed! We would be so different if we paid closer attention to the behavior of children.

The rest of the story of the 12 year old white girl was that the Ku Klux Klan met that evening to discuss punishment for her … retribution was inherent in the Klan’s activities … for most members there was only one side to the story. Had an adult been “guilty” of tending to the Freedom Riders, death would have resulted; there were members who championed death for the 12 year old, too. Fortunately, those more rational prevailed and as I recall the outcome, her family was penalized to some degree, however she lived to tell the story … testimony to the fact that there are two sides to every story.

Stuckness

Image This ...

The kite stuck in the tree reminded me that what I heard when I listened to Elwin Wilson (white) speak about his Freedom Rider involvement was “stuckness”. Elwin shared that he had beat John Lewis (black) along that ride, mercilessly, because, at the time, he was stuck in fear. Integration was an unknown; he was so afraid of the unknown that he beat John Lewis (black) along that ride in Alabama. Fear had him stuck and only actions to protect were available to him.

More sobbing in my living room as I witnessed Elwin apologize to John in front of my eyes … Elwin’s fears had been allayed, his kites were definitely “unstuck” and flying in the breeze. John shared that in all these years no one had ever apologized … it was a glorious experience for me to witness heart opening from one to the other. I wish for more kites to fly freely! What kite would you like to release that is presently stuck in your trees?

Relax Unwind

A s summer begins consider what unusual activity you may want to explore during this season. You may be planning a vacation and what to do something different, exciting, even challenging. Or, this may be the year to do the opposite… relax, unwind, do nothing… even consider a “staycation”. Whatever you choose, make it at least a little unusual for you and observe how the effects on your life.

Closure Session

Transformational Testimonial ...

In a recent closure session, I invited an individual client to choose an image that reflected where he was he was when we began coaching. He chose an image of a raft in rapids … turmoil, chaotic water … this represented that things were rough and stormy, there were many hidden rocks, many supplies to manage, tying to cross was difficult and the was much uncertainty.


I then invited him to choose an image that represents where he is now. He chose this image with large rocks in the ocean … this represented that the “rocks” are now visible, the landscape is exposed, more things are revealed. Things are still a bit stormy yet he can see the expansiveness and navigate the boulders with new tools. This image is a reminder that with his new awareness, he will notice the landscape and choose how to deal with it!

Heart of the Matter

Using images with students has been revealing for them. Often I ask a student to choose an image when they are stuck with an emotional issue. In every instance it provides a break through. In two cases, I GAVE the student the card because they were so inspired and they planned to post it as a reminder of the break through and as a symbol of what they want moving forward.

Work with students has been a reminder that the “heart of the matter” lies in the “heart”, the emotional center. Opening the emotional center happens quickly and easily with images … JICT Images.