Category Archives: inner voice

“The inner life of any great thing will be incomprehensible to me until I develop and deepen an inner life of my own.”

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“The inner life of any great thing will be incomprehensible to me until I develop and deepen an inner life of my own.”

—Parker J Palmer, Founder/Sr. Partner Emeritus, Center for Courage & Renewal

Image from Unsplash by Content Pixie

Examine all the greatness you see around you.

Who are the great people? Beyond the people, where are the places and things in your world that you consider extraordinary and wonderful?

If your list is very long, Parker Palmer would probably applaud you for doing the important and often difficult work of personal inquiry and introspection. By doing this inner work and seeing more deeply into our hearts, minds, and souls, we can find our own greatness and thus recognize it when we look to the outer world.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can and will you examine and reflect more deeply on your inner world to discover new levels of your own greatness?

With this increased awareness and clarity, look again and again at the people, places, and things around you, to embrace and delight in your wondrous world.

Please reply to this post and let me know what you discover!

 

Never Say Anything About Yourself

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“Never say anything about yourself you do not want to come true.”

—Brian Tracy, Canadian-American Motivational Speaker/Author

Image from news247.gr

Self-talk is a fascinating subject.

We all do it, and given your interest in personal growth and development as a subscriber to this blog, you are more aware and mindful of this than many.

What percent of the time do you focus on the negative rather than positive side of your self-talk equation?

What if 50 percent of your internal conversations were beyond or beneath your awareness?

EXERCISE:

This week, enlist family, friends, and colleagues to help make you much more conscious of when you put your inner voice on external speakers.

Based on their feedback and input, determine exactly how many of these message you want to come true for you.

How can and will you enhance these messages to live a more positive and fulfilling life?

Unmapped Country Within Us

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“There is a great deal of unmapped country within us.”

—George Elliot, pen name of Mary Anne Evans, Victorian-era British author

Image of an ancient map

ancient map for crossing the ocean, from Pinterest

Have you ever met a map-maker?

It’s a profession not likely to be in the top-ten career tracks at our universities!

If you were to meet one today, they would most likely be mapping the unchartered parts of our world, including the depths of the seas, or the planets and moons of our solar system and beyond.

What if all of us were actually map-makers at heart, somewhat untrained, but still able to explore and discover worlds within us?

What possible adventures and new or interesting territories might lie ahead if you put on your “explorer” hat?

EXERCISE:

What actions and efforts can you take to become your own Magellan, Columbus, or Captain Kirk to better map out your inner world?

Turn Within for Guidance

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“Turn Within for Guidance.”

—Author Unknown

Road sign reading "Listen to your inner voice"

Image from RamDass

Coaches use powerful questions and engaging inquiry as a means to help clients gain expanded perspectives and insights into their worlds. The time devoted to these discussions can be transformative.

The key to such interactions is based on the concept that virtually all the answers lie within each of us, if we are willing to do the hard work and look within.

By no means do coaches, mentors, trusted friends, or advisors have a monopoly on such questions or the power to create breakthroughs.

Consider yourself as the coach you take with you wherever you go, to always have the ever-ready guidance you seek.

EXERCISE:

Generate a list of your own powerful and provocative questions in a journal or notebook. Take the time to discover the deep and valuable answers within you.

A book that has become a favorite of mine is A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger. Consider picking up a copy to strengthen your capabilities in this area.

Who looks outside dreams. who looks inside awakens.

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“Who looks outside dreams; who looks inside awakens.”

– Carl G.Jung, psychotherapist and psychiatrist

Image of man in contemplation

Image from Unsplash by Ben White

As a former science teacher and professed watcher of the Discovery Channel (and TV shows from my youth such as Mr. Wizard), I have always been fascinated by exploring new worlds beyond my reach.

During my childhood, I even dreamed of one day being an astronaut and visiting the moon and the planets. As I aged and pursued adventure, personal growth and my career in coaching, I found a new excitement in taking more frequent journeys within my mind and my heart – all without the assistance of a rocket.

Exercise:

Consider engaging in your own inner journey daily, through a practice of your choice such as meditation, prayer, journal writing, and the reading of insightful or thought-provoking books or blogs.

Feel free to reply to this message and let me know what practices you use to awaken and clarify your vision.