Reflection: Choose Connection and Contribution

June 16, 2014 at 7:03 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

As we reach the halfway point of the year I am reminded of the mantra we started this year with almost six months ago.

CHOOSE CONNECTION AND CONTRIBUTION

This mantra has permeated throughout my personal and professional thoughts, words and actions this year. The process we used in its creation really clarified our core values and focused us in on what’s most important as we explore the possibilities, discover potential and act authentically. It has opened up new opportunities, pathways to some inspiring networks and different ways of looking at things. It has also been an anchor through the challenging times or brought me back to what difference each individual can make when the mind gets caught up in frustration, comparison or fear.

The quotes below I used as inspiration and reminders in the first post for 2014, here’s why:

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” – Nelson Mandela

Life is made up of choice after choice, impacting all the interactions and outcomes that we experience. Tapping into our core individual and shared beliefs, aspirations and truths, from a space of hope rather than fear, keeps us open to the opportunities that exist to make a difference in our own and others lives.

“100% of the shots you don’t take don’t go in.” – Wayne Gretzky

The importance of showing up, believing in our own and others potential and remembering that just like sports like the one that Wayne Gretzky played, TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More.

“Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it.” – Old Chinese Proverb

I love the Theodore Roosevelt ‘Man in the Arena’ quote that states, ‘It’s not the critic who counts’. This is something that we need to keep reminding ourselves and others of as we explore the possibilities, discover potential and act authentically.

“If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room.” – Dame Anita Roddick

I am constantly reminded by the inspiring individuals and groups with whom we work that there are no barriers to making a difference apart from the ones we create ourselves. There are only opportunities to courageously ‘be the change we wish to see in the world’ through empowered daily thoughts, words and actions.

“The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Each experience that we have provides opportunities to develop, practice and reflect on our skills, attitudes and behaviours, while deepening connection to self, others and the world around us. This process opens us up to experience genuine connection, opportunity, achievement, success, joy and love. It does not eliminate challenge or vulnerability from our lives, instead reminding us that we have choices in how we engage, grow and contribute through empowered daily thoughts, words and actions. Viewing our interdependent journey through this lens influences the fulfillment of our individual and shared potential. So with a smile on our face and compassionate awareness and appreciation of our own and others humanness we can consider;

Explore Discover Act