What insights have you discovered from turning inward lately

What insights have you discovered from turning inward lately?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Tingey Injury Law Firm

Over the dozen or so years that I have been writing this blog, I’ve referred to many strategies and techniques to journey inward, in order to gain even greater insight into oneself and the world.

Perhaps you have adopted practices such as forest bathing and embracing the natural world, meditation, or finding moments to slip into silence to tap into your own inner voice and wisdom.

Have you ever worked with a coach?

If so, you may also have found the inquiry generated through powerful questions and thoughtful reflection very revealing.

Peeling back the layers of our awareness helps us explore more of own soulful guidance to living a more engaging and meaningful life.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways do you look within yourself for better answers and insights?

What new and different approaches can and will you explore to aid in your discovery?

Awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence

“Awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.”

John O’Donohue, shared by fellow blogger Sue Hetherington

Image from Unsplash by Edge2Edge Media

Neil de Grasse Tyson recently discussed the odds of our existence by highlighting the vast number of potential genetic combinations that could create a human being.

In a conversation with comedian Theo Von, Tyson explained that while approximately 100 billion people have ever lived, the number of possible genetic combinations that could form a human being is exponentially larger.

This mathematical perspective underscores the extraordinary nature of being alive as a miraculous gift we get to open each day.

EXERCISE:

What will you do today and in the future with your life lottery winnings?

“When obstacles arise, you can change…”

“When obstacles arise, you can change direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there.”

Zig Ziglar, 20th Century American author and motivational speaker

Image fromUnsplash by Mick Haupt

The navigation app WAZE was acquired by Google in 2013 for approximately 1.3 billion dollars, to complement its own mapping service.

The navigation app sector as a whole was reported to have generated 16.2 billion in revenue in 2022 with projections to reach 36.6 billion by 2028.

Clearly, people worldwide see great value in getting where they want to go and avoiding all the obstacles that could slow them down.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life have your let obstacles stop you from pursuing an important goal?

How would embracing your ability to pivot in new directions help sustain your motivation to press on to get where you want to go?

How can we get to that place where there is no place to get to

“How can we get to that place where there is no place to get to? In the presence of wanting, it is difficult to be happy.”

Helen Schucman, 20th Century American Clinical Psychologist and Author

Image from Unsplash by Surface

Today’s quote is often attributed to Rumi, but actually originated from “A Course in Miracles,” written by Helen Schucman.

It is difficult for many of us to stand still and be content with where we are and what we have.

Perhaps our hunter-gatherer ancestors ingrained in us the need to venture out and seek what we don’t have, or think we need.

EXERCISE:

Where and how might you discover many more miracles about life without ever leaving home?

How are you challenging and stretching your capabilities

How are you challenging and stretching your capabilities? Put yourself to the test to expand your growth potential.

—Calm App Reflection

Barry and Ella

Our granddaughter Ella is an exuberant and expressive little girl.

She looks up to her six-year-old brother and wants to do whatever he’s doing, and more. She has little or no fear and abruptly objects whenever anyone tries doing things for her.

When it comes to buckling her car seat, peeling a mandarin orange, going on an amusement ride, or eating with chopsticks, she’s always up for the challenge.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways are you challenging and stretching your capabilities?

Where can and will you put yourself to the test with greater exuberance and realize more of your growth potential?

 

Friday Review: ENERGY

Friday Review: ENERGY

What energizes you? How energetic do you feel most days? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.


Be aware of your attitude and energy. Making mindful transitions helps your mode meet the moment.

 

 

 

“You find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make an earnest effort to confer that pleasure on others?”

 

 

 

“Individual willpower is a shallow container from which to draw energy.”

 

 

 

 

 

You have not grown too old, and it is not too late

“You have not grown too old, and it is not too late to dive into your increasing depths where life calmly gives out its own secret.”

Rainer Maria Rilke, 20th Century Austrian poet and novelist

The other day a friend asked who was my audience for The Quotable Coach blog. My off-the-cuff response included people looking to live more meaningful lives and those looking to learn, grow, and pursue greater wisdom.

As with many bloggers, we only get a small glimpse of who actually reads our work. We rarely get to see the impact we intend and just hope that it does. I know for sure that the process of writing is definitely valuable to me even if no one else digs into the nuggets being offered.

EXERCISE:

If you are a loyal or even an occasional reader of this blog, please consider replying with a brief note about yourself and let me know why you invest a minute of your day to see what may be there for you.

Thank you.

“Examine the contents, not the bottle

“Examine the contents, not the bottle”

The Talmud, textual record of rabbinic debate

Image from Unsplash by Charles Givens

High-end restaurants and those on cruise ships often refer to their spirit selections as Top Shelf by proudly displaying their eye-catching attractive bottles.

The makers of these beverages probably spend as much time in their packaging and marketing efforts as they do making a quality product, maybe even more.

How often does what’s on the outside truly reflect what’s on the inside?

EXERCISE:

Where else in your world are your focusing too much on the packaging of things?

How can you look beyond labels and outward appearances to discover that it’s often what’s on the inside that counts?

“I can” is 100 times more important than IQ

“I can” is 100 times more important than IQ

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Sean Quillen

When you examine the entrance requirements of our nation’s top schools, you’ll notice only a modest percentage of students are admitted.

Virtually all applicants can document top scores in standardized tests, and GPAs north of 4.0. What most of these schools also want to see is what these individuals have done with their lives through essays and interviews that highlight their extracurricular activities.

Looking beyond raw smarts and even their “I can” attitudes, these institutions are looking for folks that can humbly say “I did.”

EXERCISE:

How have you used your IQ and “I can” to prove to yourself and the world that you have done something significant and meaningful with your life?

What potential still lies within you to be and do more in the years to come?