Diligent Joy

Elizabeth Gilbert in her book, Eat, Pray, Love writes about happiness. She uses the phrase, "diligent joy". Gilbert says that people universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like good weather if your fortunate enough. But, she goes on to say, that's not how happiness works. "Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you've achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it. If you don't, you will leak away your innate contentment."

This focus on Deli gent Joy is, not merely a self-preserving and self-benefiting act, but also a generous gift to the world. Clearing out all your misery gets you out of the way. You cease being an obstacle, not only to yourself but to anyone else. Only then are you free to serve and enjoy other people. Only then can your soul hold tight to its good attainments.

Coaching with Spirit

The Coach Training Alliance speaks to spiritual coaching:

Webster’s dictionary defines spirit as: “the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person.” It is the wisdom within each of us, beyond years and experience. Its origins are mysterious, and many believe that our spirit lives on beyond our body in a non-physical plane.

For some, spirit is indelibly linked with the Divine. Saint Teresa called spirit “the life of God within us.” It is thought that our spirit resides in the center of our bodies near our hearts. Sometimes we refer to it as our heart, receiving messages from there that have the power to awaken our aliveness – “in my heart I know . . . “

“Spirit” comes from the Latin word spiritus, meaning breath. HW Longfellow called it “A vital breath of more ethereal air.” It may be that our spirit is the life force that generates vitality in our bodies: esprit de corps – the spirit of the body, the breath of life.

In the ancient roots of the English language, there is an understanding of spirit that in our culture often gets overlooked. At a stressful pace, we live each day running down tasks. Most of our focus and energy has literally gone to our heads. We tend to give more value to information that comes from our brains, finding their great powers of analysis and judgment. But this is also where fear and anxiety are born, emotions that keep us dispirited – small and weak.

With even a cursory look, spirit can be found in all living beings. It is a great power center just waiting to give direction and meaning to our lives. Whether we believe it to be a connection with God, the source of all life, or each person’s innate wisdom, spirit is a resource that we can draw upon.

Mandala

The word "mandala" is from the classical Indian language, Sanskrit. Loosely translated it means "circle". It represents wholeness. As a coach, I use this concept as a guide in my practice; it is a concept that provokes powerful questions. What does it mean to be whole? How does this goal bring me closer to connectedness? Alan Seal has said that he believes all coaching is spiritual coaching. Spiritual coaching is about wholeness; bringing clients into connection and balance. Found across cultures, in nature and in art, the mandala is a symbol of the infinite potential within all of us.

Beginnings...

The Lotus is a type of water lily which rises from muddy waters to blossom. It is a symbol of transformation. Transformation begins as we say "yes" to the soul's journey.