Thoughts as the week comes to an end having spent many hours immersed in 3 things: art, facilitation and coaching.
Two projects were due for critique which involved talking about my intentions behind my art and listening to others share theirs. This is difficult when all you have is a glimmer of a feeling you've never given language to before.
I facilitated two different groups — one on Tuesday and another Wednesday. Both facilitations involved helping people understand who they are as leaders or their organization is these days, and what's gotta change as a result.
Coaching yesterday tied a bow on top with recurring narratives around the complexities of being. Sensitive and fiery. Strategic and spiritual. Bubbly and smart. Tender and a fighter.
You contain multitudes.
You are not the same person you were a year ago, let alone 5 or 10.
Teaching people how to treat us is so important. So is refusing to fit into other people's, funder's, boards or director's, boss's, or our family's ideas of who they think we are.
We find safety when we are seen. Truly, deeply seen. "I am because we are" as Ubuntu wisdom teaches us.
When we're not seen, understood, respected or heard as we are today we get to push back, find safe places to hide...or leave.
Who you are today may contain a drop of who you used to be and waves who you are becoming. Maybe you're in an era of transition...yet to become and no longer who you were.
...Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)...
excerpt from Song of Myself, 51 by Walt Whitman
Whether leading a team, company, nonprofit or family – you contains multitudes and that can confuse people.
We all have personas for different situations and people in our lives. To blur the lines of your identities on purpose allows you to play with your complexities.
Remember you were perfect as you were and even more so as you shed and become more of who you are.
Lots of love,
Annie
p.s. If you relate to this, I suggest reading Glitch Feminism by Legacy Russell.
p.p.s. If you want to breathe life into your creativity, I suggest you come to New Mexico in August. Check out this reel I created last night about how art is changing my life.
|
|
Annie’s retreat unlocked possibility for me that I have been searching for.
She provided a serene environment that allowed me the space to think deeply about my current potential. The spaciousness and silent walks she curated were touch points I desperately needed.
|
