Bridging Lives Notes: August 2016

Pause to Question / Question to Pause
In today's note, I’m playing with the idea of living into a question. This goes a step or two further than just asking better questions.

What happens so we can “live into” a question?
What happens when we are there?
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Really good questions make us pause.

We pause in the midst of the noise and action so we reflect, reframe and redirect our attention and energy.

Pausing is a special kind of stopping. It opens space to discover hidden micro-actions in support of resuming more generative action.

I’m thinking especially of a client who declared “the state of stuck” as his theme as we began a recent session. He had been coming at a problem from every familiar angle and was gaining no ground. He was impatient and frustrated with what felt like “moving through mud.” Together, we began asking differently.

We started by sensing into the felt experience of who he becomes when “stuck.” What shape does he become - in terms of sensations, mood, and the meaning he makes of it all? It was a bold yet welcome move to let go of thinking to solve this complex problem and become more present to clues from quieter, less verbal/visual modes of intelligence.

Eventually, ideas started to bubble up. And then he said, “you know, I’m really a perceptive person but I constantly second-guess my intuition. I need to trust that more.” He began to shine new light for clarity on his next steps.
Becoming…Aware - Creator - Self
Are you up for an experiment?

For the next 30 days, finish this sentence at least twice a day: “I am becoming the person who… .”
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What could be simpler?

Inquire into this again and again.
"I am becoming the person who..."
This is an aspirational question. Be as specific as you can.

We become what we practice.

Most of what we practice is habitual and unconscious. When we become curious about patterns, we start to see what’s becoming true. Then we can choose.
… And practice living into the question. We practice ourselves into change.
I’m reminded of David Whyte’s brilliant poem: ”Sometimes.”

When you listen - and live into - the question, you might hear or sense something that has been waiting for you. Whyte calls them requests. …
I am becoming the person who…
You can finish that sentence with something specific you’re noticing.
  • The Aware Self
You can finish that sentence with something you’re choosing to shift.
  • The Creator Self

From my client's example: “I am becoming the person who listens to trust my intuition when I feel stuck.”

How else will you become the person you choose? Play with it.
You may find yourself in a whole different game.
A game of your choosing.
"...
Requests to stop what
you are doing right now,
and

to stop what you
are becoming
while you do it,

questions
that can make
or unmake
a life,

questions
that have patiently
waited for you,

questions
that have no right
to go away."
You Are the Bridge to “better”
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For the work that's yours to do, you are the bridge to "better." Thank you for the important work you do and the leader you're becoming while you do it. I'm here as your ally, partnering with you to thrive.

Be in touch...and stay tuned!
Warmly,
Beata
Lead. Collaborate. Grow. ... to Thrive!
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