June’s Memo: Bridging the Gap of Change
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” — Leo Tolstoy
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” — Albert Einstein
“Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.” ― Eckhart Tolle
“Change can come from a place of fear, or a place of curiosity and openness – you have the choice!”
June’s short video comes from the Granite Mountain Wilderness Area is about the PROCESS OF CHANGE – see it here! I chose this location just north of Prescott (Arizona) because it is the namesake of the Granite Mountain Hotshots – for my community is commemorating the loss of 19 brave wildland firefighters during the Yarnell wildfire only 5 years ago this week. I remember the event like it was yesterday and I notice many incredible changes in the community since 2013 due to catalyzing effects of this tragic event.
I explore CHANGE in this newsletter, and more specifically the PROCESS of change. I refer to this as the gap between where you are now and where you want to be…and how do we get there with greater ease in the process. Click here to see the video (4 minutes).
Everyone reacts differently to change. Andy Warhol nailed it when he said “When people are ready to, they change. They never do it before then, and sometimes they die before they get around to it. You can’t make them change if they don’t want to, just like when they do want to, you can’t stop them.”
To me, change is a force that I sometimes embrace – and at other times I resist! Sometimes I try to control it and in other circumstances I just surrender to it. A big part of human nature loves familiarity and the status quo. As human-beings we may even expend alot of energy toward keeping things just the way they are, sometimes successfully and sometimes not, sometimes to our benefit and sometimes not. Consider for a moment…are there changes you are fearing or resisting right now?
When we are unhappy or unsatisfied with our present situation, we allow the tension to build – much like a stretched rubber band. The farther away your present situation lies from the way you want it to be – the tighter the rubber band and the more tension. That tension created in the change process is the motivating force to make change! For some it happens fast, while others need to feel and linger in the stuckness, the pain, in order to step into something new. What are your tendencies when the tension exists?
It is natural to feel tension and the need to improve, mitigate, or eliminate influences…a need to change in some way. It could be in relationships (friends, family, significant other), career, health, finances, home environment, personal growth, leisure time or something else.
Matthew Santoro recommends “5 Ways to Deal with Change“, and offers simple advise when you find yourself in the process of change.
1. PREPARE: change is sometimes expected and at times unpredictable. If you always expect change, then the unpredictable change will be far easier.
2. ACCEPT: change what you can and accept the rest. Resisting wouldn’t help anyone, even you.
3. GIVE IT TIME: Unwanted change at first almost always seems worse than it really is.
4. REALIZE THE OPPORTUNITY: the change may seem negative at first (like losing a job). Yet there is always an opportunity in the change (an opening to explore new employers and careers.)
5. MOVE FORWARD: deal with the change as you see fit and appropriate, then move forward.
ASK YOURSELF: How do I approach the changes in my life? Am I creating unnecessary resistance or embracing change?
ABOUT NATURE-CONNECTED COACH
Coaching is defined as a partnership with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires clients to maximize their personal and professional potential. My coaching process uses sensory awareness and mindfulness routines in nature to assist my clients along their self-directed journey of change. A coach helps the client unpack what is going on, what has caused it, what to do, what success looks like, and the path forward. This approach honors the client as being creative, resourceful and whole.
Have you ever had someone deeply listen to you share your challenges, and ask powerful questions that bring you to a place you never would have arrived at by yourself?
Each nature-connected coaching session offers you the opportunity to go deeper into your insights around challenges and/or concerns that are present in your life. You will be invited to take it to the next level in nature, where you playfully explore your expanded options for change that will bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.
Learn more here about our Individualized Nature-connected Coaching…
I am grateful for you, your ambitions to be the best person possible, and your desires to connect with nature.
Be wise, be wild, and be connected to Nature!
Mindy Schlimgen
Certified Nature-connected Life Coach, Outdoor Enthusiast & Naturalist
www.awarenesswithnature.com
TESTIMONIAL
“I truly enjoyed Mindy’s approach to coaching and have experienced measurable results in several areas that I just wasn’t moving the needle forward on by myself. I loved the simple techniques and exercises that she facilitated and found the experience well worth my investment. I highly recommend taking advantage of Awareness with Nature’s individualized coaching packages for personal and professional development. I plan to continue to use Mindy’s services and look forward to her upcoming retreats.” – Angela Harmon, June 2018
