Annelies M. Gentile, MA, PCC
Integrative Life & Leadership Coach | Author | Speaker | Consultant | Facilitator | Process Artist
When I was young, my parents watched the news with ritual. Early mornings and after dinner a gentle dose of local news told us the whatnots of mostly near and a little of far.
Weekends were special with the arrival of the Sunday paper. The ritual included a loungey pj morning with bagels, lox, scrambled eggs and hurray! The comics. My sister and I took turns reading full color print cartoons. The pages smelled like Sunday and dyed our fingertips a slight purple. It was a great day when the big paper came. To my 10 year old self, the news brought joy and togetherness.
Today it's the New York Times on my phone read solo on the couch. I flip through a host of other "in-take" resources facilitating a perpetual connection to nothingness. I used to be flabbergasted by each new headline. I think sometimes now, I'm numb.
I take media breaks; a morning off, full day, or weekend. Week-long tech-dry vacays are preferred. It's feels so much harder now to unplug. Life proves through that lens that we are in perilous times. Beautiful days and tiny buds help remind us there is more goodness than not.
As someone close to me said, "I don't recognize this world I am in. I don't understand it. I just don't." Although I can deeply empathize, I do understand. We are dismantling.
In crisis, ask, what is the opportunity?
Like a wave, we are collectively positioned slightly past the top of the crest of the wave. The curling arc so near the ragged edge driven by enormous power, bound to lose its shape. It is the way of nature. We are all complexly connected to those same natural systems destined to rise and fall and rise again elsewhere. That is the divine creative process of nature. So absolutely fascinating. In some ways, it's her world and we are just living' in it. Curious free-fall.
The part is hard to comprehend because we don't want to acknowledge our fracturing nor let go of our identity no matter how painful it may be to embrace change.
Who are we without our roles, labels or beliefs? What's left?
I say, creativity resides at the edge of chaos. This is a time of great creativity but first, we must feel. And... the honest truth is not everyone is ready nor willing to go there. Maybe you can relate.
"I'll tell you a secret. I'm afraid of nature right now. Not of bears or tumbles from cliffs, not of windstorms or mountain lions or wildfires scorching trees to matchsticks. I'm afraid of the looming unknown that has nothing to do with the exploration or discovery. I'm afraid of the mess." ~ Sarah Capdeville, Orion
Hello Dear One...
Since last we connected, I've coached executives on mindset, supported entrepreneurs facing transition, presented multiple times on topics from my book ranging from mindfulness in leadership to educating professionals on resilience, creative process and nurturing grief associated with change. I've also enjoyed spring wildflowers, spent time with family and friends as the world continues to open up, shared meals with elder neighbors who need a kind reminder that they still matter, walked in nature, danced like a fool while producing my first online creativity retreat (seriousness need not be joyless), and always looked up for inspiration. Transformative leadership is about presence of being, tending-- in all ways, remembering who you are.
What's life been like for you? If you desire to share, I'm open for listening. In the presence of change, it's okay to feel fragmented and uncertain. You are not alone.
I publish Inspiring Nuggets seasonally, five times a year. My goal is to be as inspirational as possible, to nurture connection and present ideas for perspective. And-- acknowledgement is a part of this path to enlightenment.
Plucking inspiration can be illusive in the shadow of hardship when more than some feel powerless. Reality holds the upper hand.
To be honest, (and honesty is good) I feel we've been traumatized. Traumatized by covid, shutdowns, political discord and now war. I know this is life. I don't like it. I want to change it. I can't anymore than you though. I can only do my part. Be present, teach mindfulness, coach with integrity and create beauty.
What I can do is shine light, be light, tend my own light and encourage others towards their own light and remind you of your light too. And I don't say this... lightly. Because this can be your work too. The good work.
When conditions of change, change you, it's time to notice what you notice. The art of noticing isn't unique to gurus and yogis. It's the learned ability to be present to what is and shift into "gift mindset".
I invite you to acknowledge the inspiring nugget hidden in the dark. Stand in awe and wonder, even when "what is" is awful. The light may be small but it's there. Like a fleck of mica, it's there.
What can you be grateful for?
I don’t have all the answers, just a few unique perspectives, warm heart, kind ear for listening, creative nurturing, and hope for an evolution of spirit and intent where benefits abound for everyone. I sense now is our great time to emerge. A perfect coupling with the teachings of the season of Spring and the Element of Wood. Keep reading to learn more.
What are you noticing?
Over the winter, I found myself in some really tough places and heard in clients too their suffering of similar themes. I was surprised that I could be so fragile even with all my knowledge and skills to cope. Wasn't I past this? Apparently not. You may relate to experiencing repeated past recently. Behavior change occurs in cyclical stages. It's called the Prochaska Change Spiral.
How are you feeling in this season of growth?
More often than not, change develops from an understated, multifaceted, and at times, tortuous progression. This process includes various phases of mental attentiveness such as thinking, pausing, going forward, going backward and sometimes starting all over again!
Notice any repeat patterns?
Life pokes us to be our whole best selves to peek through, peel back or burst away from our yester-selves. Nature reminds us each season to do so. For the sake of goodness, let's explore.
Below is the continuation of Inspiring Nuggets, a seasonal teaching to help you live life more fully. Thank you for your continued reading/listening and sharing.
Love and light, Annelies
Inspiring Nuggets
Five times a year, I publish Inspiring Nuggets Newsletter. 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.
Inspiring Nuggets includes invitations to upcoming events, classes, retreats and workshops. Each newsletter aims to help you create a mindful mindset and provide resources to build resiliency in the face of personal, professional and cultural change. Find this newsletter useful? Be the gift that keeps giving, share it with a friend! LEARN MORE at conduitforchange.com
REFLECT ON YOUR LIFE
With spring comes new life. Tiny new buds and green shoots begin to emerge and seem to announce, "I'm ready to grow". Humans are no different. Even under adverse situations, we naturally aim ourselves towards improvement, progress and towards gaining the most success we possibly can. Striving to thrive is fundamental to our human evolutionary success, (even when it may look like self-sabotage or feel like we're going backwards). Take time to examine your own contribution.
In the spirit of spring, ask yourself…
- What’s new in your life?
- What needs organizing?
- What is emerging?
- What are you/we giving birth to, literally, metaphorically, symbolically?
- What are you most angry at? And what might you do to creatively transform this energy into an action that produces feel-good results for you and others around you?
I trust you've gained valuable insight here with me today. Take what's useful. If you need/want more support or guidance, let's connect. Find more free resources here.
Want to learn more? Invite me to create a retreat for you, speak at your next conference, place of business, networking or civic group. From boardrooms to classrooms to living rooms you'll find presentations with me to be immersive treasured experiences! Connect with Annelies.
CONNECT TO WHAT MATTERS
- Are you looking for clarity, confidence, focus, direction, creativity and wellbeing?
- Do you want to achieve meaningful goals, be a more effective leader and evoke positive change?
- Are you looking for a different kind of success within yourself, team or audience?
- Do you crave to get creative, re-define yourself and let go?
I help leaders remember who they are amongst the chaos and the noise of life. Coaching with me is an invitation for transformation; deep listening and resilience, radical acceptance and insightful creativity. Life changing goodness.
Coaching helps you see what you can't see alone, helps you bravely do what you won’t do solo, and with perspective-- helps you take next right steps in life or at work for greater fulfillment, freedom and peace.
Ready for change? You are in the right place. Coach with Annelies
Looking for a speaker? YES! I love empowering your team. Annelies Speaks
Contact Annelies
Email: annelies@conduitforchange.com
Website: www.conduitforchange.com
Phone: 919-345-8396
