The Privilege of Being Still

“I’m enjoying the privilege of being still,” said my client effortlessly, as though this is a common belief and these words are part of our collective lexicon.

Well, you could have knocked me over my coaching perch with a feather!

With due respect and understanding for the challenges of this moment, I’d like to share some of the learnings my clients are gaining and sharing with me during our coaching conversations.  The quotes are directly from them and and as always, I hope these insights will serve and inspire you to live life with just a little more joy and ease. 

1.  I’m starting to question whether so many work meetings were necessary or even productive.  I’ll be looking at that part of our work with fresh eyes when things go back to normal.

2. Why did I have such a problem with working (at least) one day a week from home?  I’m now doing it 5-6 days a week and am no less productive, and much more creative.

3. The time I no longer spend on driving, perfecting my work outfits, hair, and makeup, is valuable time now spent with my team and loved ones.

4. I’m sorry for having been such a hater of technology.  It’s arguably my favorite thing ever right now!  Thank you Zoom, FaceTime, Google Groups, every food delivery company, and of course, Amazon.

5. I like my kids.  I don’t like my kids.  I love my husband. I hate my husband.  How can I experience all these emotions at once?  Maybe, it’s about me?!

6. When I slow down to the speed of life (as am presently forced to do), I can see everything more clearly.  Clarity is not elusive, it’s often obvious.

7. Constraint makes life better.  Less decisions = less doubt = less regret = more satisfaction with what I have.

8. I didn’t know I could cook.

9. Teachers should get paid 100, no, 1000 times more than their present salary.

10. Homeschooling is its own kind of fresh hell.

11. I’m developing a more intimate relationship with others because I’m making an effort to call them and/or FaceTime rather than text.

12. Maybe I didn’t need so many “things”.

13. I can clearly see who the team members are that are “all in” and who are the ones that are phoning it in.  I can’t “unsee” it and will change the makeup of my team post Corona.

14. It’s easy to see who amongst us is driven by fear and who by love.  To be clear, we are all experiencing both, but it’s fascinating to see which one is ultimately in the driver’s seat of each person’s life.

15. Being still is a privilege.  

     

    This moment will pass, but what we take away from it can have a positive impact on the rest of our days.  Let’s support ourselves and each other to stay awake to the wisdom that is surfacing through and because of the challenges we are facing now.