Inspiration - only a breath away.
Inspiration can fuel new knowledge, new ways of seeing the world, new codes of conduct and behaviour that can revolutionise how we see things and respond to them. Inspiration is synonymous with creativity, inventiveness, innovation, and ingenuity.
Inspiration also refers to “breathing in” and as such it creates an image of creative inspiration flowing into our lives as simply and surely as the air we breathe. In fact you could say that from this perspective that inspiration is only a breath away.
Seeking inspiration along the way is a regular practice we recommend. We find inspiration in many different ways, by opening ourselves up to nature, other people, books, music, art, dance or movement. Being curious about things, asking questions, keeping an open mind. Inspiration doesn’t have to be something that changes your whole life in an instant, although it can be. Inspiration can be experiences which help us discover and remember what makes life precious and what refreshes, restores and renews us. Inspiration can create the space for new possibilities to emerge.
Here are just a few of the things that inspire us:
Inspiration also refers to “breathing in” and as such it creates an image of creative inspiration flowing into our lives as simply and surely as the air we breathe. In fact you could say that from this perspective that inspiration is only a breath away.
Seeking inspiration along the way is a regular practice we recommend. We find inspiration in many different ways, by opening ourselves up to nature, other people, books, music, art, dance or movement. Being curious about things, asking questions, keeping an open mind. Inspiration doesn’t have to be something that changes your whole life in an instant, although it can be. Inspiration can be experiences which help us discover and remember what makes life precious and what refreshes, restores and renews us. Inspiration can create the space for new possibilities to emerge.
Here are just a few of the things that inspire us:
The work of Judith E. Glaser - Conversational intelligence ®
“To get to the next level of greatness depends on the quality of the culture, which depends on the quality of the relationship, which depends on the quality of the conversation.
Everything happens through conversation!"
~ Judith E. Glaser
Everything happens through conversation!"
~ Judith E. Glaser
Judith Defining Conversational Intelligence
“Conversational Intelligence® (C-IQ) is the hardwired and learnable ability, to connect, navigate and grow
with others – a necessity in building healthier and more resilient organizations in the face of change. C-IQ
begins with trust, and ends with a high-quality relationship and business success.”
Judith E. Glaser, Conversational Intelligence
with others – a necessity in building healthier and more resilient organizations in the face of change. C-IQ
begins with trust, and ends with a high-quality relationship and business success.”
Judith E. Glaser, Conversational Intelligence
Boldness, Power, Commitment
“Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
When there is a real commitment to a vision, to an outcome, to a way of being in the world and it’s clearly and positively stated in measurable outcomes, support and ideas arise from everywhere. Co-creation occurs quite naturally.
Commitment
Until one is committed there is a hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
All sort of things occur to help one that would otherwise have never occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising on one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man (woman) could have dreamt would have come his (her) way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:
“Boldness has genius, power and magic in it”.
W.N. Murray - The Scottish Himalayan Expedition – 1951
Commitment
Until one is committed there is a hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
All sort of things occur to help one that would otherwise have never occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising on one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man (woman) could have dreamt would have come his (her) way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:
“Boldness has genius, power and magic in it”.
W.N. Murray - The Scottish Himalayan Expedition – 1951
Dignity
Dr Donna Hicks, from the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University and her book entitled “Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict”. It's on our list of absolute must reads and she says in her book that in the end, the message is quite simple:
"Demonstrate the care and attention for yourself and others that anything of value deserves. This is the first and only imperative. Don’t miss an opportunity to exert the power you have to remind others of who they are: invaluable, priceless, irreplaceable. Remind yourself, too!"
Some of the essential elements of dignity she talks about in her book are:
"Demonstrate the care and attention for yourself and others that anything of value deserves. This is the first and only imperative. Don’t miss an opportunity to exert the power you have to remind others of who they are: invaluable, priceless, irreplaceable. Remind yourself, too!"
Some of the essential elements of dignity she talks about in her book are:
- Acceptance of Identity--Approach people as neither inferior nor superior to you; give others the freedom to express their authentic selves without fear of being negatively judged; interact without prejudice or bias, accepting how race, religion, gender, class, sexual orientation, age, disability, etc. are at the core of their identities. Assume they have integrity.
- Recognition--Validate others for their talents, hard work, thoughtfulness, and help; be generous with praise; give credit to others for their contributions, ideas and experience.
- Acknowledgment--Give people your full attention by listening, hearing, validating and responding to their concerns and what they have been through.
- Inclusion--Make others feel that they belong at all levels of relationship (family, community, organization, nation).
- Safety--Put people at ease at two levels: physically, where they feel free of bodily harm; and psychologically, where they feel free of concern about being shamed or humiliated, that they feel free to speak without fear of retribution.
- Fairness--Treat people justly, with equality, and in an even-handed way, according to agreed upon laws and rules.
- Independence--Empower people to act on their own behalf so that they feel in control of their lives and experience a sense of hope and possibility.
- Understanding--Believe that what others think matters; give them the chance to explain their perspectives, express their points of view; actively listen in order to understand them.
- Benefit of the Doubt--Treat people as trustworthy; start with the premise that others have good motives and are acting with integrity.
- Accountability--Take responsibility for your actions; if you have violated the dignity of another, apologize; make a commitment to change hurtful behaviors.
The Magic of Conflict and Turning a Life of Work into a Work of Art
Thomas F. Crum's book "The Magic of Conflict - Turning a Life of Work into a Work of Art.
This book is an invaluable source of wisdom and provides a range of insights that will open up a whole new world of possibilities and potentials.
Just one of the gems from the book:
The nature of conflict
This book is an invaluable source of wisdom and provides a range of insights that will open up a whole new world of possibilities and potentials.
Just one of the gems from the book:
The nature of conflict
- Conflict is natural; neither positive nor negative, it just is.
- Conflict is just an interference pattern of energies.
- Nature uses conflict as its primary motivator for change, creating beautiful beaches, canyons, mountains and pearls.
- It’s not whether you have conflict in your life. It’s what you do with conflict that makes a difference.
- Conflict is not a contest.
- Winning and losing are goals for games, not for conflicts.
- Learning, growing and cooperating are goals for resolving conflicts.
- Conflict can be seen as a gift of energy, in which neither side loses and a new dance is created.
- Resolving conflict begins within. As we unhitch the burden of belief systems and heighten our perceptions, we love more fully and freely.
Liberation from our fears
A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles by author Marianne Williamson
Our favourite passage from the book that has become a popular inspirational quote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Our favourite passage from the book that has become a popular inspirational quote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Final thoughts
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
Act without doing work without effort.
Think of the small as large and the few as many.
Confront the difficult while it is still easy: accomplish the great task by a series of small acts.
Rushing into action, you fail.
Trying to grasp things, you lose them.
Forcing a project to completion you ruin what was almost ripe.
Therefore the Master takes action by letting things take their course...
[Tao Te Ching]
Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
Act without doing work without effort.
Think of the small as large and the few as many.
Confront the difficult while it is still easy: accomplish the great task by a series of small acts.
Rushing into action, you fail.
Trying to grasp things, you lose them.
Forcing a project to completion you ruin what was almost ripe.
Therefore the Master takes action by letting things take their course...
[Tao Te Ching]
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