Speak from your Heart

A JICT Images Team Member was facilitating a group with the support of the images: In a moment of insight, I gave each person a random JICT Images card and from that card they had to name a criterion that they felt would be important in deciding who would receive the money they had to distribute. One person was given the image of the dried seaweed and she had no answer at first. Then she realized that what she wanted was to make sure that as many people as possible would benefit from their efforts. We posted the criteria and used it as a guide for our decision-making. We kept the cards on the table so we could stay connected to what was important.

Prickly Beauty

One of the JICT Team was facilitating a meeting. This is what she discovered with the use of JICT Images: As I recognized the low energy in the room I knew I needed to shift and lift the energy because no creativity was possible from this place. I asked them to select on image that connected to their understanding of the essence of the work of their organization. This allowed them to reconnect to what they care about and to see that what had been missing was the basic alignment of purpose all along. One person selected the cactus with the yellow flower. She said that in the world where children's play was been squeezed out of the educational experience of young children, that their work brought beauty into the bleakness.

JICT Images Around the World

Young girls in Ecuador are using JICT Images as they work in small groups. These images work with all ages and people who speak languages other than English… this is just one example. Notice the expressions on each face. Images take everyone to a deeper place, perhaps within the heart, where the center of emotions lives. When a person feels what she believes or desires it is many times easier to say it to herself or within a group. Have you had such an experience with images? Please share it with us!

Rotary is Fun

Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity & Leadership are the core values of Rotary International …each club adopts core values reflective of the club’s culture. The Minnetonka club has always held FUN as one of the prime core values … let’s ride!

Multiple Views

One leader shared her gratitude for the many ways Rotary offers her to serve. The options for community, international, club and vocational service provide a wide variety of perspectives to choose how to be of service in ways that make a difference. She cares about having an impact in the world; Rotary meets her value around caring and her need to serve.

The Nuturer

A mother swan and her cygnets spoke to our Executive Secretary … not surprising since she cares about supporting all the Rotarians in our district in oh, so many ways. And, her most important “life” role is Grandmother … she is a relatively new adoring, doting grandparent. While we knew her passion for “grandparenting”, it was extraordinary to see her glow as she shared her passion using the images of the “Swan family” as the catalyst!

The Rotary Bridge

Rotary serves as a bridge in many ways! It bridges communities … community leaders coming together build relationships that create trust. On a global level, it shrinks the world as members from clubs all over the world ban together to dig wells, educate women and cure Polio. It bridges gaps between generations as Rotarians mentor high school students. It bridges cultures as scholarships support peace scholars equipped to build trust between people and group study exchange teams visit foreign countries for vocational and cultural understanding.

The image speaks to the wide expanse of differences between people, communities and countries and how Rotary builds bridges to connect them.

Leadership from a Tree

Another past district governor, choose the “gnarly” tree because it represented the many layers of Rotary leadership. The roots represent past leaders who have built a solid infrastructure. The gnarly limbs depict the “oldsters” who have made a significant contribution and who need to be open to nurturing the new leaves to emerge so that the good work of Rotary can continue. The single tiny leaf on an old gnarly limb represents hope in the continued good work of Rotary by oldsters mentoring emerging leaders and being open to change … he cares about the sustainability of Rotary.

Wells in Haiti and Africa

A past district governor, shared her passion for clean water worldwide … our district is involved in drilling wells in Haiti and Africa … the image jumped out at her due to the running water and as she studied it, realized that it also spoke to her of the beauty that is Rotary as members devote time, energy and resources to make the world a more beautiful place whether supporting clean water, literacy or peace!!!

Desire to Fly

Do you desire to fly?
What does flying high in the sky allow you?
What emotions come to you?
Is it fear or is it a sense of freedom?
What does flying not allow you?
How do your emotions shift when you consider the second thought?

Orange Magic

Is this magic? What is your impression of what you see in this picture? What emotions arise for you as you view it? Does it make a difference if you know what this is?

What if you knew it was very real… a bubbling pot in Yellowstone with orange bacteria that grows on the “beach” because of the temperature of the water?

When we have a conversation to discover the truth, our reality may shift.

Where Do You Look

What do you see first? Where we look can make a difference.

Are you looking up and out at the mountains in the distance or are you looking only at the deep, dark lake?

Do you allow the trees to block you from whatever you see in the distance?

How could you “see” differently and what does that allow for you?

7 Principles for Contentment

The author of an article I read recently offered a list that resonated with me. As 2012 jumps into full swing, I offer “7 Principles for Contentment” … see what food for thought, new awareness or inspiration these provide.

Principle for Contentment #1 … learn to trust
If you closed your eyes and were guided across the bridge, how long would it take before you opened your eyes? What conversations are important to nurture trust?

Principle for Contentment #2 … live in the here and now
What beauty are you missing on your life journey either because you are attached to the past or focused on the future? What beauty surrounds you in the “here and now”?

Principle for Contentment #3 … honor and respect your boundaries and the boundaries of others
What should you say “no” to right now? What have you said no to because a “should” has been in the way? What would revitalize you if you said yes?

Principle for Contentment #4 … slow down
Pay close attention to the route as you travel to work. Take a walk just to absorb all that surrounds you. As you dry the dishes, savor the moisture removed by the towel. Notice each snowflake or rain drop.

Principle for Contentment #5 … take yourself more lightly; laugh more daily
Laughter has many health benefits. Research shows that children laugh, on average 400 times per day – adults 15 times. So, adults, how much more laughter each day would enhance your wellbeing? How many times per day will you commit to laughter? [A footnote: watch an episode of Golden Girls; you cannot possibly get through it without laughing MANY times].


Principle for Contentment #6 … expect the best
What we focus on expands … expecting the best allows us to create more (and better) than we could ever imagine. If we expect the worst for sure we’ll get it! What is your preference?

Principle for Contentment #7 … be grateful
Several years ago after the death of my spouse, I began keeping a “gratitude journal” as part of my grieving process. WOW … was this an eye opener. In the midst of what seemed like unhappiness forever, expressing gratitude supported me to want to BE happy and allowed me to count my blessings. Start with just 3 things per day … like the commercial says, “bet you can’t record JUST 3”! Share your gratitude revelations with us here.