Perspective Shift What happens when you take away the daily barrage of sales messages you receive from tv, websites and email and you plop yourself down in the middle of a community whose focus is to honor the earth and every human being? You get a wonderful reality check. As my husband and I have been traveling the past two weeks throughout the UK I have had limited access to the internet and television. Last week we arrived at the eco-community of The Findhorn Foundation in Findhorn, Scotland. You may have read about it or even visited. If you have, you know that this is an incredibly special place. If you haven't been allow me to share a little bit of my experience. Imagine walking into a countryside neighborhood where people smile at you. Some people are working on the grounds and gardens, others are cooking in a commuity kitchen, some are sitting by themselves in various spots that are particularly suited for reflection. Wherever we strolled, I felt like I was included. There was a sense of acceptance. No big fuss was made nor was there the big city feeling of isolation. The locals were happy to include us in their work. We gardened with their community garden and we cooked in the community kitchen. When we didn't know what to do, our questions were answered with care. Upon commencing any of the activities the group would gather. First, each of us was encouraged to share how we were feeling. Then, the project coordinator would guide us into a moment of intention. Then we were allowed to choose what task we felt drawn to do. When we shared, people listened with care once a gain. There was no judgment just simple acceptance. What a potent positive energy that is. Much of the interactions in both business and personal relationships can fall prey to resistance and reaction when there is not a common intention for acceptance. I choose to work in the poly-tent with the tomatoes. I found myself using this energy of acceptance with the tomatoes. They are so potent and strong willed. It was my job to trim back the leaves and support the main stem. At the same time the plant is delicate and one move too forcefully and the fruit could be knocked off too soon or the plant could be stunted in it's growth. In honoring the flow of the plant, becoming aware of both it's frailty and it's strength and giving it the care and attention it needed, I got a lot of practice in acceptance. What a great way to evolve myself. The need for every self-improvement course went away. Who would have thought that tomatoes could teach me so much? At the end of the work day we engaged in a moment of connection and reflection to acknowledge the gift of the work and to receive it fully. The potent power of slowing down with the intention of care allowed for love to be a part of every aspect of our day. When it comes right down to it, the reality check I received once again is that opening our hearts and living from that place is the richest experience we can have. If your heart is closed and your bank account is full, in my mind you are bankrupt. To open your heart is a simple act but requires a generous amount of trust (primarily in yourself and in life). When we can make business decisions from the heart and filter out the noise of what the sales messages tell us about what we "should" do or "need", then we have ultimate freedom, fulfillment and connection to ourselves and others. The next time you read a website or email message, try closing your eyes and feeling the sensations of what you've read. Spend time with the feeling. Did you get excited because of greed or out of a fear you have? Is your heart singing from what you've seen or heard ? We have so much wisdom. I feel renewed to tap into it and I invite you to join in. Wishing you a heart-centered July. Coach Laura

 

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