Stories are powerful. I have the privilege of creating “tables,” spaces where people gather and stories can be told, old chapters reflected upon with the intention of redirecting the plot line, writing a new chapter, or maybe a whole new book to move forward in the story that is theirs alone to pen, but not having to do it alone.
Sometimes it’s an exhausted mom, an overwhelmed organizational leader, a person struggling with making a key decision about a relationship or career, a discouraged team of co-workers working through a difficult change, a pastor seeking balance in ministry, an individual receiving a medical diagnosis, or a person simply feeling stuck in a personal habit – all wondering how to move forward, to move beyond just reacting to circumstances and toward responding with relevant action. They all come to a “table” to explore potential, emerge a personal or collective vision, and engage practical strategies to walk away from the table stronger, more confident, and ready to do work and life with greater intention.
Sometimes it takes moments or circumstances like these to “encourage” us to pause and consider, to be curious about a different way to do work, or to live life; an approach that isn’t rooted in exhaustion, fear, confusion, discouragement or maybe apathy. Sometimes it’s these very challenges that launch us into the gift of being curious.
Curiosity fuels thoughts that focus on…
what could be?
what’s relevant?
what do we want?
how do we move towards that?
what resources do we have or have yet to discover?
It’s this reframing from fear to curiosity that creates new possibilities at the “table.” Problems or difficulties are viewed as opportunities with anticipation versus annoyance.
Create some pause to consider what your current chapter is revealing…
- Is it reflecting what you want in your life, in your work?
- What do you want those spaces in your life to look and feel like?
- Are challenges viewed as annoying or do they hold a bit of anticipation or curiosity on what could be or how it is relevant to your story?
If these questions intrigue you to explore more, let’s meet at the table and start being curious about how you can transition the plot line in your current chapter. Together, we can surface natural strengths that are unique to you, and resources yet to be discovered that can move you towards living with greater intention and joy even in the midst of challenge.
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