Friday, July 30, 2010
The Fullness of Life
The Fullness of Life and It's Link to Enthusiasm!
Often clients and program participants ask why issues such as stress, forgiveness, grief and resiliency are discussed in connection with enthusiasm.
The answer: these are all a part of life. To deny them denies aspects of what makes us who we are.
* Experiencing stress that zaps our energy or leads to overwhelm;
* Holding on to resentment, grudges, pain...not forgiving others or yourself;
* Denying feeling grief for losses of loved ones, jobs, other things of importance;
All these can interfere with or even stifle our experience and expression of enthusiasm. They then become barriers to living a life of meaning, purpose, passion, joy, authenticity. This interference can inhibit our ability to be resilient and bounce back from the tough stuff of life that may come our way.
Especially over the past few years it is more important than ever for us to: discover and explore ways to move through and release the barriers so we can more easily connect with, experience and express enthusiasm in all aspects of our lives. As many of you already know...that's when the magic happens.
© 2010 Antoinette S. Webster. All rights reserved.
Labels: authenticity, Enthusiasm, forgiveness, fullness of life, grief, Joy, passion, Resiliency, stress; stress reduction
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Moving Through Barriers to Enthusiasm!
Change often marks the end of one thing and the beginning of another. This cycle can lead to excitement or fear, sadness and many other emotions. This cycle of change may be repeated and with the seasons of the year. Or it may be a sign of completion, termination, etc.
With things as they are in current times, it is quite easy to go from one thing to the next to the next without honoring the thing, situation, relationship, job...or whatever the source of the change in your life. This way of being can affect the flow, experience and expression of enthusiasm. Not to worry because two key things you can do are:
1. Acknowledge the situation, where you were and where you are now. Also consider your contributions, growth, lessons learned, people you worked with or anything else that you choose to reflect upon. Write it in your journal or notebook. It may not seem like much when you read this step. Yet I can personally testify to what happens when one buzzes through life and the power, wisdom and insight gleaned by this process.
2. Allow yourself to grieve the ending, change and/or loss. Grieving is sad yes. Grieving isn't always pretty or on a specific timeline (give it two weeks then you are done). Not allowing yourself to grieve can manifest illness, undue stress, stifle your enthusiasm and so much more. It is the equivalent of a kink in a hose or a stuck valve.
I am currently in the midst of a grieving process that began with the passing of my sister-in-law who also happened to be my friend. Honoring my need to grieve this loss also opened the door to the other losses, endings, changes that were stuffed away. What I am discovering is certain physical symptoms easing or disappearing completely. Along with this is the awareness of how much I love and appreciate the people, circumstances and things in my personal and professional life. For myself and others, this process also allows us to become more resilient, wiser and intentional in all areas of our lives.
Allowing yourself to grieve makes sense when a friend or loved one dies. Grieving job loss and career transition is equally important for drawing from your well of enthusiasm, especially as you prepare for interviews, networking events and your next job focus.
Remember to honor where you have been, the change(s) that take place and allow yourself to grieve are two ways to move through any related barriers to expressing and experiencing enthusiasm.
Antoinette
With things as they are in current times, it is quite easy to go from one thing to the next to the next without honoring the thing, situation, relationship, job...or whatever the source of the change in your life. This way of being can affect the flow, experience and expression of enthusiasm. Not to worry because two key things you can do are:
1. Acknowledge the situation, where you were and where you are now. Also consider your contributions, growth, lessons learned, people you worked with or anything else that you choose to reflect upon. Write it in your journal or notebook. It may not seem like much when you read this step. Yet I can personally testify to what happens when one buzzes through life and the power, wisdom and insight gleaned by this process.
2. Allow yourself to grieve the ending, change and/or loss. Grieving is sad yes. Grieving isn't always pretty or on a specific timeline (give it two weeks then you are done). Not allowing yourself to grieve can manifest illness, undue stress, stifle your enthusiasm and so much more. It is the equivalent of a kink in a hose or a stuck valve.
I am currently in the midst of a grieving process that began with the passing of my sister-in-law who also happened to be my friend. Honoring my need to grieve this loss also opened the door to the other losses, endings, changes that were stuffed away. What I am discovering is certain physical symptoms easing or disappearing completely. Along with this is the awareness of how much I love and appreciate the people, circumstances and things in my personal and professional life. For myself and others, this process also allows us to become more resilient, wiser and intentional in all areas of our lives.
Allowing yourself to grieve makes sense when a friend or loved one dies. Grieving job loss and career transition is equally important for drawing from your well of enthusiasm, especially as you prepare for interviews, networking events and your next job focus.
Remember to honor where you have been, the change(s) that take place and allow yourself to grieve are two ways to move through any related barriers to expressing and experiencing enthusiasm.
Antoinette
(c) 2009 Antoinette S. Webster. All rights reserved
Labels: Change, Enthusiasm, grief, mindfulness
