I used to think if I could achieve, accomplish, acquire, and accumulate what I wanted, life would be good and it would stay that way. Of course, that isn’t how it works at all. As I pushed my way through my life and career, “making” them happen, I was often frustrated, disappointed, and angry that things continually changed. Fortunately, sometime along the way I realized that everything is always in motion. It took time for me to notice that, try as I might, I didn’t have control over the twists and turns, ebbs and flows that are the nature
of life.
I am noticing now in my work with younger professionals that work-life balance and well-being are high priorities. They are committed to having time with family, friends, and recreation. I view recreation as re-creating; restoring, rejuvenating, and regenerating. We all need time to rest and regenerate. I am also noticing that the energy behind this priority is a lot like what I thought I could “make” happen. There is an insistence, a pushing to get to life-balance and well-being and make them stay. It is as though work-life balance and well-being can be achieved through will. And, once they are accomplished, it will last.
We are living in rapidly changing times. Day-to-day we experience the movement and shifting of our world in unpredictable, complex ways. When I was a rock climber and mountaineer I remember telling myself to “release the grip”. There is a clench in our bodies and minds that inhibits movement and flow. I sense that clench in our culture these days. We are hurrying and trying to get somewhere and get things done. The idea of slowing down and releasing the grip seems unproductive and uncomfortable to many.
At the Center for Transformational Presence, we explore pushing against and flowing with. It is an exercise that allows us to explore what kind of energy we are using in the act of creating our projects, our careers, and our lives. When we are flowing with; it allows us to consider that a challenge might have a message for us. We can explore the challenge as a doorway to possibilities we haven’t yet thought of. A problem might be a message, not just something to be solved.
I invite you to play with the idea that life-balance and well-being are moment-to-moment, ongoing experiences. Our continual dance of life is learning to be with what is, respond to it, and accept that we are here to go with what presents itself. We can learn to recognize the patterns of change and movement as signs of healthy growth. It doesn’t mean there won’t be discomfort, pain, loss, and disappointment. It can mean a willingness to engage at all levels with as much skill, confidence, and faith as we can muster up.
I will continue to explore this topic as my clients and colleagues share their insights, struggles, and discoveries and we will all continue to learn together.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
of life.
I am noticing now in my work with younger professionals that work-life balance and well-being are high priorities. They are committed to having time with family, friends, and recreation. I view recreation as re-creating; restoring, rejuvenating, and regenerating. We all need time to rest and regenerate. I am also noticing that the energy behind this priority is a lot like what I thought I could “make” happen. There is an insistence, a pushing to get to life-balance and well-being and make them stay. It is as though work-life balance and well-being can be achieved through will. And, once they are accomplished, it will last.
We are living in rapidly changing times. Day-to-day we experience the movement and shifting of our world in unpredictable, complex ways. When I was a rock climber and mountaineer I remember telling myself to “release the grip”. There is a clench in our bodies and minds that inhibits movement and flow. I sense that clench in our culture these days. We are hurrying and trying to get somewhere and get things done. The idea of slowing down and releasing the grip seems unproductive and uncomfortable to many.
At the Center for Transformational Presence, we explore pushing against and flowing with. It is an exercise that allows us to explore what kind of energy we are using in the act of creating our projects, our careers, and our lives. When we are flowing with; it allows us to consider that a challenge might have a message for us. We can explore the challenge as a doorway to possibilities we haven’t yet thought of. A problem might be a message, not just something to be solved.
I invite you to play with the idea that life-balance and well-being are moment-to-moment, ongoing experiences. Our continual dance of life is learning to be with what is, respond to it, and accept that we are here to go with what presents itself. We can learn to recognize the patterns of change and movement as signs of healthy growth. It doesn’t mean there won’t be discomfort, pain, loss, and disappointment. It can mean a willingness to engage at all levels with as much skill, confidence, and faith as we can muster up.
I will continue to explore this topic as my clients and colleagues share their insights, struggles, and discoveries and we will all continue to learn together.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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