Inspiring Nuggets

Annelies M Gentile, MA, PCC

Integrative Life & Leadership Executive Coach | Consultant | Speaker | Facilitator | Author | Process Artist | Interfaith Minister

Hello and happy spring! Hope my words find you well. There's been lots of changes since last we connected. How are you navigating the nuances of change? Are you bringing creativity into your life and work? How is your wellbeing and perspective? If you're feeling disconnected, overwhelmed or seeking something else... I'm here to help.

Above and below are few tips to help you navigate change based in nature, creative process and integrative medicine. Take what's useful. If you love it, please share it! There is learning in all things. Thanks and have a lovely spring!

Since last we connected... I personally had quite a start to the new year rather upside down. I fell Jan 1st on a New Year's hike and sprained my ankle so badly I was down for the count for nearly two months. I'm just now able to walk un-aided and this is the end of March. Life happens to us all.

Trigger events happen to us all. Change is inevitable. What makes you resilient?

Along the way... the plants got watered and clients got coached, friends brought home-cooked meals and I subsequently gained too much weight to admit without a good bit of shame. Alas... I am human but back to swimming so that is good.

Forgive yourself when you "mess up". Learning is constant. Fail forward.

Sadly, this month we lost a close friend (again), but enjoyed a little bit of travel to SC for a conference where I met wonderful new people. We keep our friend close by doing the good work within the areas we do have control and influence of. Intention matters.

Mind your mind for mental health. Invest in yourself, wellbeing and self-care.

Be graceful with your grief.

In our yard, the bluebirds found their way to both nest boxes front and back, while daffodils pushed through cold ground and our moss found its brilliant green essence again after a long drought and the snows melted. The tulip poplars pass pink petals across multiple yards painting the street, and red buds call me closer to eat their sweet blossoms. (Yes, redbuds are edible and tasty like sweet tender peas.) Overall, it's been a quiet start to spring for me. I keep busy with intentional work for an intentional life. How's your life?

What are you tending and how?

In the meantime... with all the political shifts going on, I'm hopeful the emergence of something good comes that we just can't see yet. I'm trying to stay positive. There's a lot of head-spinning hurt that's being wielded that I will not ignore. What's happening is taking place in what I call the Environmental Sphere. It's way outside of our control or influence but is affecting us personally. Here's a free chapter from my book on the Environmental Sphere. Perhaps this can bring some perspective to the systematic change we are witnessing.

What determines your beliefs? Are you sure? Is it kind? Is it useful? Is it true?

Do not give up on your causes but please put self-care in the center. Every time you choose to be distracted by "just one more" text, email, task, or news article instead of drinking water, going outside, moving your body or taking a mental break-- you are loosing. Don't get lost in the noise. Center yourself. Need help? Coaching helps you stay connected to what matters most. Don't give up on what's good.

Coaching changes lives. Who is your coach?

Seasons of life can lead us on to a new path. Are you paying attention? Video above and text below explores a fresh perspective to facing change. If you want more support to navigate the nuances of uncertainty, I'm here to help. Schedule a call with me now. In the meantime... self, care, be mindful, be kind, be in alignment with what matters most. Happy spring!

Many blessings, love and light, Annelies ✨

Five times a year, I publish Inspiring Nuggets Newsletter. These 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 integrative 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! Read more newsletters here.

It was a decent winter here in NC. We saw snow a few times and wicked cold temps. By now, our daffodils have bloomed and gone, and the fig trees are sprouting sage-lime leaves letting me know they survived the harsh temps. Have you ever thought about the force it takes to push through hard cold ground against gravity? Or the unfolding of a leaf as it emerges from a wintery branch? A lot of creative force is required to emerge. Think about it.

What do you notice about spring's emergence this year?

Besides sights, sounds and smells, a unique way to experience the season of spring is to explore it via metaphor. According to Eastern traditions there are 5 seasons each represented by an element, a color and a series of emotional characteristics. Here's a simplified explanation.

Winter : Water : Blue : Stillness : Fear

Spring is related to the WOOD element which represents the emotion of anger and informs a sense of renewal, forgiveness, vision, organizing, hope and most importantly-- creativity. Through the season of spring, we are invited to think and act in an upward and outward movement. Seeds, roots, shoots are all pushing through from somewhere unseen into our existence. Does this take actual energy?

What gifts are hidden within anger?

THINK: seeds bursting out of hard hull, bulbs piercing cool ground, shoots pushing out dormant branches. When we view ourselves from this place, we can embrace an upward and outward movement, a push-through/break-through of something difficult, challenging, even anger-producing to then experience a new perspective.

What are you tolerating?

Interestingly, WOOD element in the season of Spring is associated with the emotion of anger. It fits though. It may come as a surprise to note that sometimes we need an emotional force, like anger to fuel growth, momentum, innovation and creativity. WOOD energy invites us to shift from stuck to movement.

How do you express anger? Is it productive or destructive?

Look for the gift in anger or what's upsetting you. Like a seed pushing through hard ground, use anger to push through into a new level of consciousness. Use the force to take you to a new level of perspective. Anger is information. Decode it. Use it to evolve.

In the context of WOOD in Spring, a gift mindset asks you to pause and consider the gift in this moment. Think growth through gratitude. Regardless of the origin of upset. There's no room for causing more pain, bursting through without consideration. And that includes self-sabotage. Acknowledge what you are angry about and how you clutch it. Invest in discovering how to release.

TWO TRUTHS:

1. The more INformation we take in... the more we are FORMED by that information.
2. The more EXformation we practice, the more FORMED we are by its release. We become what is emerging.

EXforming are practices that help us release. THINK: "ing" things. Playing, singing, biking, walking, talking, swinging, writing, creating, swimming, breathing... etc-- you get the point.

These are not frivolous practices! These are required sheddings for our evolution that lead to the ability to be agile, expressive and adaptive to change both in the moment and over-time.

Recently my husband and I were invited back again to present for NAMI the North Carolina Association for Mental Illness. It's the third year to be asked back. The executive who hires us said, "There's something you do that we don't see happen with other presenters. You bring a magic that changes our community and our staff! I really see a change! I want you back again and again!"

Creativity is no magic formula. Creativity is not about talent, it's way of operating. It is simply a way to experience presence, to be in flow with imagination which has huge health and wellness benefits. Each year we invite participants (staff and community) to explore creative expression for personal and professional flourishing. You have access to this formula too.

How are you using your creative gifts? Is this a good use of you?

This is important work for our time. Kindly do your part to make life peaceful, consider your own contribution to what is. Do your best. Also, consider sharing me as a resource for your company and community, congregation, friends and family. Thank you in advance!

Think about your own processes to manage, cope and create with and through change. What do you rely on more? Consider the reflection questions below to deepen your learning.

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! Schedule a call with me.

Discover timeless resilience, creativity and calm as it's meant to be heard, narrated by Annelies M. Gentile. Audiobook available!

Email: annelies@conduitforchange.com
Website: www.conduitforchange.com
Phone: 919-345-8396