Annelies M. Gentile, MA, PCC
Integrative Life & Leadership Coach
Consultant | Facilitator | Process Artist | Author | Speaker
Hello Dear Ones!
YOU have made it to "Late Summer"! Hope this finds you well. How are you? I'm celebrating my 50th pretty soon! What are you celebrating?
Inspiring Nuggets is based on universal concepts of the creative process and natural systems of change. Nestled within are teachings of the Five Elements/Seasons of Eastern Medicine. It's sent to you with love, five times a year.
The last publication you received was in June 2024. If you're new to my newsletters, welcome! If you're new to me -- hello! : )
I'm an artist first, I see and sense how everything is connected. Thus, my goal is always to be as inspirational and as honest as possible (compassionate poke with a sharp stick), to nurture connection, present ideas for perspective, and to encourage you to be curious alongside adversity.
A multi-disciplinary integrative approach helps to cultivate a conduit of connection, a bridge to heal that fosters empathy, trust, ideation, clarity, and peace, among so many more valuable outcomes, including leading change from the inside out.
I believe we are consciousness on a quest to know itself better. I aim to do my part, and invite you to do so too. Below is a song I recorded in collaboration with my sweetheart, Greg Whitt of Drum for Change. It's a poem song called Astonishing Light. Sit back, close your eyes, take a breath and listen.
After you listen to the song...continue reading to learn more about the gifts of Late Summer. Enjoy!
Love and light,✨
PS- If you want to explore coaching with me or want to hire me to present schedule a call with me now. Thank you! I look forward to connecting with you soon.
LATE SUMMER :: Empathy :: Element of Earth
Each season I provide inspiring nuggets of wisdom through my newsletter which includes invitations to upcoming events. My goal is to help YOU better cope and create through change. I also aim to help you create a mindful approach to resiliency in the face of personal, professional and cultural change.
Seasonal teachings come through both my personal and professional experiences and the Chinese Five Elements philosophy of Wu Xing (wŭ ching) and Tao, among other philosophies and sciences which highlight and explore unique nature-based ways to understand the processes of change.
Find this newsletter useful? Be the gift that keeps giving, share it with a friend! Want to hear more? Invite me to speak at your next conference, place of business, networking or civic groups. Enjoy! Schedule a call with me to learn more or to coach with me directly.
One of the ways I help professionals become better leaders in life and at work is to help them cope, navigate and manage change. We cannot separate the human condition from our work life. They're inseparable. When we try to separate our humanity from the tasks, lists and linear roles of the work-world we harden ourselves and become hard towards others. As life gives us a variety of challenges to cope with, exploring problem-solving through nature is not only interesting and inspiring, it's also a unique way to better understand our own nature.
According to Eastern tradition of Tao, there are five elements expressed through five seasons each represented by an element, color and emotional characteristics. Here's a simplified explanation.
• Winter : Water : Blue : Stillness : Fear
• Spring : Wood : Green : Creativity : Anger
• Summer : Fire : Red : Connectivity : Joy
• Late Summer : Earth : Yellow : Generosity : Sympathy
• Autumn : Metal : White : Acknowledgement : Grief
The season of Late Summer begins to show itself around the second week of July and carries on into mid-Sept. It's the harvest season and is ripe with goodness, if you are willing to pay attention to what it's providing. The sneaky bit is... to gain its gift you must let go.
- During Late Summer, you might notice as sunlight shifts, tops of trees yellow, the "back-to-school" bugs chirp late afternoon into night and early morning that change is in the air. It's not as noticeable as autumn. Only the most keen realize something new has arrived. What have you noticed shifting in the natural world lately?
- Late Summer is related to the element of EARTH which feeds and inspires generosity, empathy, harvesting, nourishment, and transformation. It's also represented by the color yellow and upholds soothing, sweet sounds. Think of the earth element in metaphor.
- To be empathic is to hold two truths. Receive sweetness by letting go. For instance... if there is discord between family, friends, colleagues or cultures, empathy draws a larger circle to include loss as a part of the sweetness. It's not so easy. However, try it.
- You might find that "fruit" has had its ripe time and might fall swiftly into your hand. Perhaps it's beyond ripe. Is it time to let it drop to the ground? Can you be empathic towards another as you let go? Can you be empathic towards yourself?
Look Within
To integrate the element of EARTH in your life and work, explore these ideas.
- Try one new thing. Gather new ideas, have generative conversations. Where can you cultivate this?
- What feels most fruitful for you at this time?
- In what ways do you tend (or not tend) to yourself and others? Do you give too much away?
- How well do you receive compliments, support or even critique from others?
- What is enough? ... how would you know when you get there?
Creative Approaches to Facing Uncertainty
Held in-person at the NCSU McKimmon Center: Join us for an experiential experience focused on embracing change. While the world is churning there’s scientifically proven resources of resilience hidden in plain sight--in play. You will learn the fundamentals of the creative process, and how engaging in creative collaboration and self-expression can support you and the greater world around us to better face uncertainty and cultivate new ways of adapting to change. Highlights will include the science of play, effects on the brain and creative process for mental, emotional, physical, community and organizational wellbeing. This is an interactive experience. All are welcome. Benefits include shared joy, wellbeing, empathy, trust, resilience and sense of freedom.
Co-facilitated by Annelies Gentile MA, PCC of Conduit for Change, LLC and Greg Whitt of Drum for Change. Together, we'll hold space for tender dialogue that's also playful and powerful. Walk away informed, inspired, hopeful and curious.
Recommended Reading: From Chaos to Calm: Leading Change From the Inside Out
Registration deadline: Sept. 8 (sign up on the waitlist if full)
From Chaos to Calm :: Leading Change From the Inside Out is a quiet call to wake up to our individual and collective role and responsibility in solving our most pressing 21st century problems by cultivating resiliency at the personal level first. In this part personal story, part philosophy and part guidebook, you'll learn useful nuggets for life, leadership and well-being. To regain a sense of peace with what is, even in chaotic times, we need to begin within.
Contact Annelies
Email: annelies@conduitforchange.com
Website: www.conduitforchange.com
Phone: 919-345-8396