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Vol. 5, No. 7 - September/October 2006 Greetings, SeaZine subscribers. Happy Autumn to all of you who live in the Northern Hemisphere! Though much of our contemporary work seems disconnected from the seasonal rhythms, the Natural cycles still hold sway and can serve as wise guides to the phases and activities that help to create harmony, balance, effectiveness and 'success'. Every project, initiative, goal, vision, and business has its seasons and its cycles. And being aware of them can make an enormous difference! I've been reminded of this as I've immersed more deeply in the Five Element theory, a Natural Systems concept, which never fails to inspire and clarify. For example, why might 'Water' or 'Winter' matter to your communications or business initiative, when it's September? Find a clue in the articles below. And there are Ivy Sea resources for the fundamental issues that lead to meaningful livelihood, skillful communication, and visionary leadership. In this edition of the Ivy SeaZine: As always, we at Ivy Sea want to be a resource and inspiration for you on your journey. Here are the resources you'll find in this issue of Ivy SeaZine: The key themes for this month's SeaZine are creativity and communication. Here's what you'll find below:
[Ivy SeaZine is a "voluntary, by request" subscriber-only publication. Want to subscribe and receive the Ivy SeaZine in your own email box each month?] The Five Elements in Business Most of the time, when we think of 'the elements' or specific Seasons, we think of things like whether it's raining or snowing, or whether it's Spring or Fall. But the seasons, cycles, rhythms, paces, and wisdom of Nature is also evident in our own lives, livelihoods, and businesses. When we're aware of and connected to these, and cooperating with them, things seem to flow more gracefully and smoothly, and the results are far richer. When we're not aware of or are ignoring the natural rhythms or stages, we often notice that in the quality or effects of our efforts or enterprises -- the timing is off, the flow is disrupted, the fuel disappears, or the results are disappointing. In the Five Element theory, we use the metaphors of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each of these symbolizes specific characteristics, traits, and lifecycle stages. The element metaphors and the Natural System serves as a guide for whether the 'natural order of things' is in harmony and balance, or whether we've skipped a crucial step and are thus experiencing unnecessary challenges (or not finding creative answers to our challenges or questions). For example, if we rush through the receptivity and vision stages of a project (Winter), and try to rush the early growth (Wood), the project 'burn rate' (Fire) may exceed available resources, or the project may actually reach its peak before the market or other 'element' forces are ready (Earth and Metal). Or, if we do the vision and early growth stages really well, but don't have adequate inspiration or 'fuel' (Fire), we may not have the persistence or 'buy in' to take the project from that early growth stage (Wood) into solid reality (Earth). There are many more metaphors of how the Five Elements show up in your own livelihood, enterprise, or project -- and the Five Elements can offer a creative way to inquire into and explore creative options for moving your project from conception through manifestation, while skillfully navigating the usual challenges along the way! For more information on Five Elements and related Ivy Sea consultations, visit Ivy Sea Online's Sessions & Dialogues section. Excellent communication and the mind-body-spirit link In most workplaces (and lives), the pace seems to be so fast that we simply move from meeting to meeting or from activity to activity without stopping. The thought of mind, body or spirit connection, balance or wellness seems a luxury. But it's not. It's a crucial link that directly affects how well we think, communicate, decide, interact, and innovate or create. A good example arose recently, when I listened to someone speaking of 'yet another' workplace miscommunication that stemmed from 'dysfunctional dynamics'. There was no question that there was (1) a communication problem, (2) serious, entrenched dysfunctional patterns at work in the group, and (3) very overlooked needs for mind-body-spirit practices. A leader facing such circumstances and dynamics will find that she experiences it in one of two ways, generally: In the first possible scenario, she remains calm and centered, looks for and sees the underlying dynamics or agendas below the surface behaviors, doesn't get pulled under by the dysfunctional ploys, identifies good questions to ask and other communication strategies to navigate the issue, has excellent intuition about causes and positive strategies, and is not distracted from the many other issues and responsibilities on her radar. The second possible scenario is that she immediately goes into stress mode, is triggered by the dysfunctional ploys, reacts to the dysfunctional dynamics that are playing out and sabotaging the productive flow of the project. She sends out a flurry of fast-paced communications to various group members, which are instantly folded into the group's dysfunctional pattern and magnified into a new level of 'problem'. This, in turn, has her feeling even worse about the project, and she and her own team go into 'triage mode', distracting them from other issues and responsibilities and leaving them all unhappy and fatigued. The difference between these two options? The first scenario is built on a foundation of mind-body-spirit practices that serve to create a 'buffer' to cushion reaction-time and allow for 'in the moment' spaciousness to see clearly, communicate calmly, respond rather than react, and make good decisions -- despite the annoying realities of dysfunctional patterns at play (and it IS annoying!). Having cultivated this 'reserve', so to speak, she is able to draw upon it under pressure. In the latter scenario, she hasn't drawn boundaries to ensure the mind-body-spirit practices are a priority, and thus has long ago 'spent' any buffer she might have had. As a result, she feels stressed and drawn thin, and thus is not poised to make good decisions, stay calm under pressure, or communicate skillfully -- in a way that does not worsen the situation, play into the dysfunction, or fray relationships that must endure for another day. She ends up angry and fatigued and gets sick with the flu for two weeks, which leaves her feeling more stressed and 'behind'. The practicality of having some mind-body-spirit cultivation practice is limitless, truly. Rather than being a luxury, the very real, bottom line, observable benefits can be seen, felt and heard. Explore these or other expansive topics in an Ivy Sea Dialogue or Session. Sparking the Muse (when ideas, inspiration, and creativity have gone missing!) There are times for all of us when the Inspiration Muses seem to have gone on vacation, and don't seem to respond to the reality of a pressing issue, a challenge in need of creative response, or a looming deadline. The times when we really need the creative juices to flow, and it seems the well has just gone bone dry. Sometimes these periods stretch out into their own 'drought season'. Using the metaphor of Five Elements and Natural Systems theory, we look at what metaphorical 'element' governs inspiration, creativity, and idea-generation, and how and why it has gone missing or is out of balance. Then we assess what 'remedy' will result in successfully 'calling the Muses' to assist. When looking at a specific scenario -- creativity and inspiration lacking, for example -- we would look at how the metaphors of the other elements and your overall 'system' or 'blueprint' were interacting. Stimulating, ideas, creativity and inspiration are traits associated primarily with the elements of Wood and Fire. If these traits are needed, but lacking, the remedy will be found in how best to support or re-establish the idea-generation and creative spark that Wood and Fire symbolize. Very often, it becomes very clear that a key element is 'missing' or another has become over-dominant and is choking out creative growth and inspiration. Once the remedy is apparent, the only challenge is applying it! By planting the seed and nourishing the soil, the desired effect takes root and begins to grow. For inspiration, 'idea food', and a creative boost, schedule a consultation with us. Catalyze your vision, clarify your purpose, spark your inspiration Ivy Sea offers a wealth of resources for asking great questions, deepening skillfulness, clarifying your purpose and vision, and aligning it with skillful action in leadership, entrepreneurship, and right-livelihood. Several of our most powerful offerings were, for a long time, just part of our larger organizational-consulting projects. But after we heard time and time again from our clients about how powerful these dialogues and sessions were, we knew it was time to offer them as separate services. Dialogue and Sessions Options include: ** Lightning Dialogue Sessions ** Vision-Quickening ** Purpose and Mission Clarifying Sessions ** Intuitive Imagery & Power Symbolism ** Destiny Shifting & 4 Pillar - 5 Element Balancing Learn more about Ivy Sea's Sessions & Dialogues VIP resources for Ivy Sea VIP members Ivy Sea Online VIP Members receive access to the VIP-only library of articles, tip sheets, dialogue-starters, and PDF workbooks or skill-guides. In addition to the wealth of existing VIP resources, Ivy Sea VIPs now receive two additional premium Ivy Sea PDF workbooks -- The Big-Vision Sales & Marketing PDF workbook, and the Big-Vision SOHO/SoloPreneur's Quantum Leap Guide. And on the radar for VIPs: Audio mini-workshops on a range of topics crucial for inspired, skillful leading, communicating, and entrepreneuring. Perfect for the MP3, iPod, or lunchtime learning! VIP members - log in to the VIP-only section Not a VIP yet? Learn more about the Ivy Sea VIP Membership. Wise Words for the Journey ** "To everything there is a season, and a time under the sun." ~ Ecclesiastes ** " Nature is just enough; but men and women must comprehend and accept her suggestions." ~ Antoinette Brown Blackwell ** "The richness I achieve comes from Nature, the source of my inspiration." ~ Claude Monet ** "See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls." ~ Teresa of Calcutta ** " Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." ~ Frank Lloyd Wright ** " In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful." ~ Alice Walker ** " Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." ~ John Muir ** "Joy in looking and comprehending is Nature's most beautiful gift." ~ Albert Einstein ** "Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books, for they speak with the voice of God." ~ George Washington Carver Until next month... Thank you for reading with us. Wishing you a brilliant, skillful, and deliciously rich harvest-month ahead. Sincerely, |
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Are you ready to seek, leap, and soar? Ivy Sea Founder Jamie Walters and Ivy Sea collaborators provide inspiration, resources, and consultation for the visionary entrepreneurs and inspired leaders who are exploring, redefining, modeling, and facilitating joyful, vibrant, prosperous right livelihood -- good work! Inquire deeply, clarify your vision, and rise into new levels of momentum, purpose, and skillfulness with an Ivy Sea vision-quickening program, a lightning-catalyst session, or a more indepth consultation. Leap... |
