Search through some of my favourite resources
to help you on your journey
Methodologies & Practices
My practice is influenced by a number of elements learned over the last several years. I am a lifetime learner so I will continue to be open to other learning opportunities. As I learn the elements that fit best with my practice will weave their way into my offerings.
Ontological Coaching?
Ontology is the study of being – what it means to be human. Ontological Coaching focuses on our Way of Being, which is a dynamic interrelationship between three areas of human existence – language, emotions and body. Coaching in all three areas can generate profound learning, resulting in fundamental shifts, both in self-perception and perception of what is possible in one’s personal and professional life. Deep and lasting change requires shifts in language, emotions and body.
In a world of constant and relentless change, we are faced with the challenge to continually re-invent ourselves so that we can successfully adapt to new and unpredictable circumstances. Ontological Coaching supports people to become more powerful observers, capable of taking more effective action and becoming more self-generating learners.
Mindfulness
I have been privileged to learn from practitioners of mindfulness at several Authentic Leadership in Action (ALIA) Summer Institutes, the Authentic Leadership Programme at the Authentic Leadership Center at Naropa University, deep-dive courses and webinars. I practice mindful meditation and encourage clients to incorporate the practice so that they can be fully present in their lives. With regular practice our minds can become stable and quiet enough for us to be flexible and open to new situations as they arise.
Authentic Leadership
From the same sources as noted above, I have also been exposed to and have studied Authentic Leadership. At the heart of these teachings is a belief in the basic goodness and wisdom in every person. These teachings align with the foundations of the Newfield Coaching practice, which starts from the premise that each coaching client is whole, resourceful and creative. Influences from Shambala, the Presenting Institute, Reos Partners and individuals such as Peter Block, Alan Sloan, Barbara Bash, Susan Skjei and others connected with the Authentic Leadership Center weave their way into my coaching practice and provide unique experiences for each client.
Art of Hosting Conversations That Matter
Conversation is at the heart of every coaching relationship. When deep issues need to be resolved, powerful questions are at the heart of the path forward. The Art of Hosting provides structures and systems to address issues held by an individual, companies and communities. Teachings from these practices weave their way into the environments that I coach in as well as the way I approach conversations with organisations & communities.
Reiki
I am a Reiki master (levels 1-3), taught by Sharon Goater using Diane Stein’s methods and teachings. Tapping into this natural ability that we all have has increased my intuition and enables me to assist clients energetically if desired.
Mindful Moments & Strategies
Mindful Moments
These 5-minute Mindful Moment sessions have been pre-recorded for your enjoyment.
Simply find a comfortable, quiet spot and give them a try.
Being
Practicing Kindness
Breathing
Setting Intentions
Emotional Self
Spiritual Self
Energy
The Beginner
Gratitude
The Body
Mindful Eating
Thoughts
Mindful Strategies
Mindfulness is a form of attention and awareness training that helps people relate more effectively to their day to day experiences.
It involves paying attention to thoughts, feelings and body sensations in a way that increases awareness, acceptance and self-compassion to help manage difficult experiences, and create space to make wise choices. Learn more about mindfulness and mindful meditation.
I welcome you to download my ‘Mindfulness Practices for Thriving in Stressful Times’ guide.
Check out this great infographic to learn how mindful practices can help you thrive!
Programmes & Retreats
Experiential learning has been a critical part of my learning journey. I list some programmes here so you can see if any of them resonate with you. Sometimes we need focused and deep work to shake out the stuff that is keeping us from the joy that we deserve in life. Our inner critic is working overtime and we can’t stop long enough to tame him/her and manage our way forward. So putting ourselves in a retreat/deep learning environment can help us. See what you think – I am happy to talk to you about some of them or put you in contact with others so you can listen and learn and see if they might be a good fit for you.
Books
Personal Growth
Mastery – The Keys to Success and Long-term Fulfillment – George Leonard
Taking the Leap – Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears – Pema Chodron
Transitions – making sense of life’s changes – William Bridges
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom – Don Miguel Ruiz
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts – Gary D Chapman
Spiritual
Leadership
The Three Marriages – Reimagining Work, Self, and Relationship – David Whyte
The Leadership Dojo: Build Your Foundation as an Exemplary Leader – Richard Strozzi-Heckler
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment – Eckhart Tolle
Community Conversations
Nonprofit Resources
The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources – Lynne Twist
Transforming Ordinary People Into Fundraising Superheroes – Carol Weisman
The Best of the Board Café: Hands-on Solutions for Nonprofit Boards – Jan Masaoka
The Source: Twelve Principles of Governance That Power Exceptional Boards – BoardSource
Coaching
Business
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t – Jim Collins
Theory U: Leading from the Future as It Emerges – C. Otto Scharmer
Mindfulness
Websites
There are many online resources today that can assist us on our journey of life. Whether we are seeking information on personal growth, leadership, business practices – it is all there. Below I have listed some sites that I have found valuable and continue to use. If you have other suggestions, let me know – I would be happy to add to this list over time.
Poetry
The Unknown
How quickly the void
moves to be filled
with another’s
ideas and ways to be.
How rare to surrender to
the void….
to a space and time
of no direction
no identity defining
the fabric of a life.
To simply stay in the Openness…
To be willing to watch
the tides of possibilities
roll in and out again.
To be willing to stay
in this uncomfortable
and unfamiliar ambiance
Until Openness, itself
is recognized as the only
true ground of Being.
– Patricia Brown
Love
The world is neither unhappiness nor happiness
The world becomes the same as we see it.
Our vision is the world
Each person is the creator of his own world
If every moment of life gives you unhappiness, then the mistake is somewhere in your own vision
And if all that you see around you is darkness then certainly you are keeping closed the eyes that see the light
Give a fresh thought to yourself
Look at yourself from a new angle
If you put the blame on others, you will never be able to see your own mistake.
If you put the blame on circumstances, you will not be able to penetrate the roots of your own mental state.
Hence, whatever the situation, proceed to discover its causes in yourself.
Causes are always in one’s own self
But they always appear to be in others
Avoid this mistake and it will be difficult to preserve your unhappiness
Others function only as mirrors
The face seen is always our own
Life can become a celebration
But it is necessary to create oneself a new
And that is not a difficult thing
Because in the very seeing of the fault in one’s own vision
The mistakes start dying and the birth of a new person begins.
– Osho from the book A Cup of Tea
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
– Jelaluddin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks
Christ Has No Body
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
– Teresa of Avila
Love
When you love, give it everything you’ve got
And when you’ve reached your limit,
Give it more and forget the pain of it
Because as you face your death, it’s only the love which will count.
All the rest
The accomplishments and struggles, the fights
will be forgotten in your reflection
and if you have loved well, then it will have been worth it
and the joy of it will last you through to the end,
but if you have not death will always come too soon
and be too terrible to face.
– Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
As I Began to Love Myself
As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.
As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody As I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me.
Today I call it “RESPECT”.
As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.
Today I call it “MATURITY”.
As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm.
Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.
As I began to love myself I quit steeling my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.
Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.
As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.
Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.
As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time.
Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.
As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worry about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where EVERYTHING is happening.
Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.
As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But As I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally.
Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.
We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born.
Today I know THAT IS “LIFE”!
– Self Love Poem by Charlie Chaplin
