On a walk last week, my 16-year-old and I heard the honking of some large white birds flying overhead. “Look! The cranes are back,” I said. “Wait, no…or are they herons?” Telling the difference between large, white water birds with long legs is not my strong suit. After doing some googling later that day, my teenager …
Tag Archives: Center for Courage and Renewal
Touchstones for trustworthy spaces
Touchstones help groups hold tension and engage in meaningful, honest conversation about difficult subjects with both courage and kindness. They can create the conditions that enable creativity, engagement and courage. How and where are you experiencing safety and trust? Where in your collaborations and relationships might you need a little more?
LIVE Centering Circle
Please join us on Friday, May 7, 2021 as we explore the Center for Courage & Renewal’s Touchstones as a way to create spaces that honor individual integrity and build relational trust.
Hospitality as a leadership practice
Coming out of the woods yesterday, I crossed paths with a woman and her dog. Though I didn’t know her, I said hi and she said hello in response. I continued along the snowy path and had made my way about 20 yards/meters before I heard her call to me. I turned towards her and she shouted, “Thank you for saying hello. It means so much to me these days. I try to say hi to everyone I meet on my walks, and you’re the first person who beat me to it in a long time.”
Deep listening as a leadership practice
One theme that appeared again and again is deep listening. It seems to be a foundational practice for living and leading well. Here’s a round-up of some of the practices and insights this fall has offered.
Finding courage
When I listen to my heart tell me what is more important to me than avoiding an immediate threat, the courage to act can suddenly appear.
If the lights go out, just move
This past winter I spent a long weekend on retreat in stillness and good company. The theme of the retreat was hidden seeds, the way nature can look as if it’s sleeping or even dead, when it is in fact gathering strength and getting ready to burst forth when the conditions are favorable.
Wonder
I think sometimes we special needs parents are getting the wrong message. We’re told that if we want to be effective, we should be the mama bear — fierce and protective. Or the victim, sad and pleading. The course leader’s parable reminded me that I have other options, ones that actually might be more effective than anger or sadness.