Laughter as Stress Reliever

It is said that pre-verbal babies laugh 300 times per day … on average adults only 30. There is research to support that laughter is therapeutic, a healer. And, that laughter reduces stress. I’ve made a commitment to laugh more often daily … it is good for my health! How about you?

Competition or Collaboration

A Wall Street Journal article early this year spoke of the fact that at a female entrepreneur event, it seemed women were “being too cozy”. This opinion brought into focus the difference in the feminine vs. masculine approach to business. Collaboration is becoming a more viable way of doing business - THANKFULLY. Support advances efforts and generates abundance. Isn’t that what we really want? OR are there some out there who want to see others defeated? Who yearn for watching businesses fail and entrepreneurs not succeed?

In actuality, there is really ENOUGH for everyone and when we all use out gifts to their greatest good, we all succeed. As feminine energy influences our world in stronger ways, my hope is that we will see more “cozier” interactions … and not just at VC or networking events. Success for all is my dream!

Retirees Bench

A bench under the trees reminded an HR professional that though she worked with clients to plan and manage retirement, she wanted to let go of past ideas of retirees “sitting on benches” (the old way).

Since retirees are spending retirement time very differently than former generations, different ways of looking at planning and managing retirement is necessary. This revelation left her aglee with enthusiasm … her commitment to look at her work in a different way will undoubtedly positively support her clients.

Inspiration for Change

An attorney was inspired by the image of an old façade to implement practices that would stand the test of time while being open to new methods. He had been mired in belief that the “test of time” and “new methods” were mutually exclusive.

Coaching opened new awareness; the visual inspired a shift to a new understanding … the value in maintaining things that have value while incorporating “new” things that provide value.

Support for Clients

A small business owner shared in an introduction that the bronze statue with arms outstretched reflected that she cared about supporting potential clients.

The image was an inspiration to motivate her to reach far and wide and not allow her gremlins to sabotage her efforts or to put distance between what she had to offer and the support clients needed.

She was amazed that this message came to her because of the image she chose. Prior to this she had not been conscious that she was self-sabotaging.

Image Inspires Living BIG

A user who is considering making a career shift, blindly chose the image of several brightly colored, differently shaped vases on a window sill. This spoke bright, bold, vibrant to her and inspired her to embrace the idea of living BIG in the world in whatever she chooses. It also planted the seed that there are a variety of options … it inspired her not to be limited by only one “shape”. She has a renewed sense of motivation and direction. Who knew brightly colored vases could inspire new direction in the career search?

Which Path Leads to Hope

“One Way” (the image above) reminded a user, who was in job transition, that her dad had hammered home “there is always more than one way” to do anything, (wise man)! This led her to create a vision map that included a variety of paths for exploration in her search. It also generated more possibilities and replaced despair with excitement about her search. WOW; images inspire hope!

Together Again

It is interesting what people see in this JICT Images photograph. Some folks have shared that they see a happy couple joining hands. Other see the separation… the arm behind the back… the not reaching out by the figure on the left as revealing something not right between the two figures. More important than what you see, is what does it reveal about you?

Are you seeing something within your relationship with someone or what is “true” about the couple? Where do the emotions we experience when we ponder images come from? Are they revealing more about ourselves than about anything else? Is this why we at JICT Images say: “Images take us to the heart of the matter?”

What do you think? We would love to have you post them on our blog.

Reveal My False Front

Do you have a “false front” that you reveal to a group when you first join? I pondered this JICT Images picture while thinking about this question. Can we really trick others into seeing only what we think we are revealing… this false front?

I believe that our presence… the “whole of us” is revealed to others. The other person’s subconscious picks up on the truth of us and a “false front” only confuses them a little over a small amount of time. Many scientific researchers say we perceive much more about a person from the nonverbal than the verbal. So, others most likely perceive whether what we are wanting to project… our false front… has substance behind it or not.  

What comments do you have about this image?

Different Suits

How would your group be served by different "suits"?

Do you ever wish “if only” everyone in your group were of the same “suit”? This image shows images for the 4 suits identified within a deck of cards. Every wonder why there is more than one? I believe that different people have different gifts. If we were all the same it might be rather boring after awhile. A personality that thinks and feels differently from the “spade” type might offer a possibility we “diamonds” would never realize. Now if I could just understand what makes a “club” tick??

What Does Your Group Look Like

We all belong to groups… some we like more than others. Forming (or choosing) an image that reveals how you view your group can be more than revealing… it can lead to some actions that would serve the group in being more functional.

For example, what kind of group does this JICT Images picture represent? You may see the colored string representing different kinds of people within your group. You may feel that there are some “knots” in the group… some places of disagreement, but that in the “big picture” it works as a beautiful thing! You may view the silhouettes as leaders who put their “stamp” on the group… and then decide if it interferes or supports the group.

Whatever you “see” is what you may be feeling within your heart. It may show you what is important for the group or it may show you where to focus or maybe even what is being ignored. Whatever comes to your mind… your heart… is important to ponder.

So, what do you see? Add your comment by responding to this post.

Forming a New Group

Are you in charge of forming a new group? Have you noticed how people sometimes are quiet and don’t talk as they wait for your to begin the meeting? If people are in small groups at tables, place a few JICT Images cards on each table.

As people come in suggest they discuss the images… whatever comes to mind… with people at their table. What we have found is that people really open up (speak from their hearts) with the support of an image or two. It is almost magical how images allow us to go deep into the emotional realm where we share from our deepest caring and reveal more of who we truly are. When you begin the meeting people will feel much more connected to those with whom they have shared and the meeting will begin in a more relaxed way that more easily supports your intention for this new group. People will be more willing to share with each other and the sharing will be on a deeper level.

Sharing at a Birthday Party

Jane, one of the creators of JICT Images, created a wonderful way to get attendees at her birthday party (or any group) to share something from their hearts.

She gave each person a couple of image cards and asked them to look at the questions on the back of the cards. (Of course they looked at the image, also!) Then she asked for a sharing of how the question spoke to them at that moment. It was amazing what was shared and how it made the birthday girl feel!!