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 The great German poet,
Ranier Maria Rilke, offered the following wisdom
to a confused young poet in search of advice…"Be
patient toward all that is unresolved in your
heart and try to love the questions themselves…Live
the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far
into the future, you will gradually, without
noticing it, live your way into the answers."
How in the world do you live the questions while
others expect you to know? Knowing means that
you've figured it out, doesn't it; that you're
confident and in control?
I like feeling in
control, don't you? Confusion leaves me feeling
vulnerable and weak. Even still, one day I found
the courage to tell a friend how utterly confused
I was feeling. I was struggling with a personal
dilemma, some life crisis - exactly what, I
don't recall. But what I do remember was her
acknowledging my ability to live with the confusion
without asking her advice or attempting to figure
it out. She said very little, and instead sat
quietly with me. I guess words aren't necessary
when you're living the questions, huh? Her words,
most likely, would've only confused me more.
"You are looking
outside, and that is what you should most avoid
right now," wrote Rilke to the young poet. "No
one can advise you or help you - no one. There
is only one thing you should do. Go into yourself…be
attentive to what is arising in you, and place
that above everything you perceive around you."
Go into yourself.
That is much easier said, than done! Sitting
still in our confusion can be terribly
painful. Going "inside" and waiting for answers
is something most of us were never taught to
do. We were taught to problem solve. We were
taught to analyze the facts, crunch the numbers,
apply reason, and logically figure it out. So,
tell me, how do you figure out what to do when
work has taken over your life? When you child
is failing? What solution do you apply when
you wake up one day feeling hopeless that you'll
never get your business off the ground? Or that
you'll never resolve a conflict with an old
friend? What do you do when you fear losing
your job when you've no idea what you want to
do next? When you hate where you live? What
do you do?
You don't.
As Rilke so beautiful
wrote…"Everything is gestation and then
birthing. To let each impression and each embryo
of a feeling come to completion, entirely in
itself, in the dark, in the unsayable, the unconscious
beyond the reach of one's own understanding,
and with deep humility and patience to wait
for the hour when a new clarity is born: this
alone is what it means to live as an artist:
in understanding as in creating."
"Live the questions
now," said the teacher. "Patience is
everything!"
I just completed one of
the most gratifying projects of my life. Some
of you may remember that I launched Executive
Women's Connection last fall - a group
coaching process designed for corporate leaders
committed to advancing their careers with integrity.
I had no idea it would exceed my wildest expectations!
Research had convinced
me that women desire a new way to learn and
lead "together" - a way that replaces the "old
male-oriented theories of development, which
emphasize independence, autonomy, self-reliance,
and individual achievement," with relational
models that are "mutually empowering" and "mutually
developmental." Wellesley College's Stone Center
for Development affirmed this, stating that
an "inner sense of connection is the central
organizing force in women's development."
My clients took the
research to heart. They illustrated the power
and wisdom that arises from being in a "real"
community. Their growth was phenomenal - greater
self-clarity, increased confidence, focused
action, balanced living, and learning to receive
help willingly. They gave me, but more importantly,
they gave each other incredible gifts that will
surely last a life time. This comment from one
participant speaks volumes to the value derived…"So
many 'women's' leadership programs only attempt
to retool women as men. Executive Women's Connection
puts the focus squarely on being authentic in
a leadership role."
If you're ready to
develop your authentic leadership capability
in relationship with real women, consider investing
in Executive Women's Connection. For additional
information, visit www.humanarts.biz/ewc.htm
or call 404-352-0340.
 Can you imagine a workplace where
our soul leads the way?! A place where we trust
each other more, and fear less? A
Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided
Life, the latest book by highly
respected author, Parker Palmer, shows us a
way to reclaim integrity and foster wholeness
in our workplaces and in the world. Outlining
proven principles and practices applied for
over a decade by corporate executives, community
organizers, educators, clergy, parents and politicians,
Palmer illustrates the power of "circles of
trust," communities designed to "make each
soul feel safe enough to show up and speak it's
truth." Discover a beautiful journey into
"true self" through a process of being "alone
together!" To read an excerpt, click
here.
REAL WOMEN & WINE
~ quarterly networking at The Defoor Centre,
April 20, from 5:30 - 8:00. "Upscale.
An exceptional group of women. Loads of connections
surprised and delighted me. I really enjoyed
the unstructured environment," so say the
women who attended our first event in January.
If you're ready for a more relaxed approach
to networking with unlimited time to simply
talk, then stop by The Reading Room
Café & Bar @ Defoor Centre, a welcoming,
creative meeting space located in up and coming
West Atlanta. Visit www.defoorcentre.com
to check it out.
To sign up, email pcarrera@humanarts.biz
with "Real Women & Wine" in the subject line,
your phone number and number of guests. You'll
receive a confirmation with directions on Apr
17. No entry fee. You pay only for what you
eat and/or drink.
AUTHENTIC POWER &
INFLUENCE~ GROUP TELE-COACHING ~ April
and May groups now forming! If you
desire to speak your truth with greater
conviction, stand in your power without guilt
or fear, and bolster your influence without
political game-playing, then invest
in a change-process that guarantees success!
"A great program that altered
my path. I loved the format"
Clare
Cunniffe, Computer Associates
Each 3-part series includes (3)
1-hour "connected-learning" teleforums, a beautiful
handmade journal and reflection note cards,
summary emails with recommended readings, and
an individual coaching session to insure follow-through
occurs. Introductory rate of $149 each / $400
for the entire 9-part series.
- POWER: Wednesdays, April
5, 12, 19 at 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. EDT
Gain
insight into what it means to wield "real”
power in the world; assess your current "power
edge” using a six-stage model of power
and a Personal Power Profile; get feedback
and support that serves to expand your personal
power.
- AUTHENTICITY: Wednesdays,
May 3, 10, 17 at 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. EDT
Remember who you really are when you're courageously authentic; strengthen the voices within you that know how to overcome fear and release self-doubt; learn to leverage the power of your conscious mind to create life balance and leadership integrity.
- INFLUENCE: Wednesdays, May 8, 15, 22 from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. EDT
Challenge conventional influencing "tactics,"
and instead, build influential "strategies"
that challenge conventional wisdom with ongoing,
focused intent. Identify opportunities to
push back with grace and pull people forward
with dignity.
ACT NOW! Open enrollment is limited to 5 participants
per teleforum. HumanArts is happy to structure
customized corporate groups and association
round-tables. For details and registration information, review
Authentic Power & Influence flyer in PDF, call 404-352-0340 or email pcarrera@humanarts.biz.
EXECUTIVE WOMEN'S CONNECTION ~
Fall session begins August 2006
This cutting-edge leadership development process
connects five directors and/or vice presidents
from non-competitive companies -- women committed
to delivering key results, balancing priorities,
and advancing their careers with integrity.
Unlike traditional "event-based" leadership
programs, HumanArts' five month sustainable
learning model serves to deepen self-knowledge,
expand authentic power and influence, heighten
risk-taking, and build a network of real lasting
support. Developmental strategies include teleforums,
one-on-one coaching, and a 2-day residential
retreat in the most glorious of settings at
Serenbe B&B Farm and Conference Center. For
additional information or references, visit
www.humanarts.biz/ewc.htm
or contact Phyllis Carrera at pcarrera@humanarts.biz
or 404-352-0340.
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Click here to read an excerpt
The only questions that really matter are the ones you ask yourself.
Ursula K. LeGuin
What we call fate does not come into us from the outside, but emerges from us.
R.M. Rilke
It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.
Thomas Paine
It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.
Devouvertes
Questions are diamonds you hold in the
light. Study a lifetime and you see different
colors from the same jewel.
Richard Bach
There are years that ask questions and years that answer.
Zora Neale Hurston
Let life happen to you. Believe me: life is in the right, always.
R.M. Rilke
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