No Thanks Thanksgiving?

How are you?

Really. How are you in this moment?

I decided to post the string of acknowledgements I've been receiving lately for a couple of reasons. I read somewhere that as small businesses, posting (verified) testimonials are helpful to prove credibility. Rather than me say how great I am, I'll let others do it. 

What is the meaning of testimonial?

This got me thinking on what a testimonial really is. It's a form of acknowledgment. And, one of the coaching skills/practices I teach is to deliver words to another human being that lands as medicine. 

Words are medicine

The words you speak, type and read are affecting your body and the humans you're interacting with. Are your words medicine or toxins? As one client said to me, “We could really change the world in how we connect with each other with this one practice”. 

And, if I'm honest, being acknowledged feels a little uncomfortable. It's a habit for me to not let the words settle.  How about you? Do you wave off someone giving you a gift, letting you know that what you did, or who you are, matters?

Acknowledgment is medicine. For the recipient, surely, but also for the one giving the acknowledgement. 

Right now, notice your body when you think of a moment you gave someone an authentic, specific acknowledgment and they took it in. Doesn't it feel great to let someone know they matter? 

And think of another time you offered an acknowledgment, and the person didn't take it in. How's your body now?

((I don't' mean a generic thank you. I mean a very specific, intentional, word choice to land as a heart opener in the body of another human.))

Words are powerful

Words are one of the most powerful ways to connect. Do you know you are reacting all day every day to words - audible and visual? 

But do you even notice? This is powerful. 

You might have an unintentional practice to not taking in acknowledgement, or have not ever thought about designing your listening for it (after all, listening is a skill)! Or, you might be culturally conditioned, or have a listening for criticism in your organization or in your family. 

What if this holiday, you really, really, genuinely practice giving each person you interact with the gift of words that say they matter - to your family, colleagues and clients? Even the barista at your coffee shop! You don't have to know someone well to do this one practice. This practice will change your body, and the people around you.

I care deeply about what's happening around the world, and can't directly affect the conflicts we're seeing around the world. And yet, the practices I offer (the ones I also practice), are designed to cool the inflammation so clarity surfaces and effective action is taken. Both are medicine.

Words are actions

In times like these, we need more medicine, more effective action than ever. Worldwide conflicts will not be resolved until we can deal effectively with our current conflicts - with ourselves and in all our relationships. In my former career, I'd hear ‘Think globally, act locally’. Take this on like the world is depending it.

You create the body/life/relationships that's peaceful, present, loving and effective. And if you don't know how, or where to start, contact me for a conversation for curiosity. If you haven't designed how to show up truly, deeply peaceful to your holiday gatherings, where instead, you're full of tension, tolerating verbal slights from your in-laws or sister, can we not waste one more precious moment of this life when you can intentionally be peaceful to whomever is at your gatherings? Contact me for for an easy-peasy way to learn how!