As the year draws to a close I’ve decided to summarise the key themes from my blogs this year.
1. Embracing the Pause and Making Space
Several excerpts highlight the importance of pausing and creating space for introspection and personal growth. This pause allows for a shift from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic nervous system, fostering a sense of calm and allowing new insights to emerge.
- “Coming to Form” emphasises the value of stillness and patience in allowing something new to come forth. This requires resisting the urge to rush through life’s demands and instead cultivating a deep curiosity about what wants to be expressed.
- “Making Space” introduces the metaphor of lily pads on a pond to illustrate creating space for mental and emotional clutter. Acknowledging and accepting these internal voices rather than fighting them opens up space for creativity, possibility, and well-being.
- “Just Pause” reiterates the benefits of pausing and taking a breath, drawing on insights from neuroscience, Buddhism, and personal experiences. This simple act can regulate the nervous system, improve interactions with difficult people, and promote a sense of groundedness.
2. The Body as a Source of Wisdom
The excerpts demonstrate a strong emphasis on the body as a source of wisdom and a key element in personal growth. Somatic coaching, in particular, focuses on the body’s practices and how they shape our experiences.
- “A Different Kind of Midwife” confronts the challenging topic of death and the importance of open dialogue around end-of-life care. I found solace in Dr. Kathryn Mannix’s book “With the End in Mind”, which highlights the sensitivity and compassion possible in palliative care.
- “Coaching as Craft” explores the concept of embodiment and the repetitive practices needed to develop any skill, highlighting the connection between physical grounding and vocal presence. Patsy Rodenberg’s work with the body in voice coaching resonates with the my approach to somatic coaching, which emphasises helping clients embody their unique selves.
- “Setting off as We Mean to Go On” explains the importance of frequent sessions in somatic coaching. These sessions help clients become aware of unconscious bodily practices that may be hindering their progress, allowing them to replace these practices with more beneficial ones through repetition and contrast.
- Acknowledging and Appreciating Ourselves and Others
The excerpts encourage a compassionate approach to self-acceptance and recognising the virtues of both ourselves and those around us. This includes embracing our imperfections and acknowledging the positive qualities we often overlook.
- “Saying Hello” uses Rumi’s poem “The Guesthouse” to illustrate the importance of welcoming all parts of ourselves, even the difficult ones. Acknowledging these inner guests, rather than rejecting them, can lessen their grip and create space for growth and transformation.
- “Speaking Virtues” advocates for expressing appreciation to the living. I share personal experiences of feeling uncomfortable receiving compliments, highlighting the importance of learning to accept and internalise positive feedback.
- “Unexpected Endings” reflects on the impermanence of life and the unexpected nature of endings. I contemplate the impact of knowing when an experience will be the last and how that awareness might influence our present appreciation.
- Poetry as a Source of Inspiration and Healing
The excerpts demonstrate a deep appreciation for poetry and its power to evoke emotions, offer insights, and provide solace. Poetry becomes a tool for self-discovery and a means of connecting with others.
- “Finding your Practice” explores the different ways individuals find their own practices for creativity and well-being. While Julia Cameron’s “Morning Pages” may not work for everyone, the key is to discover the practices that resonate with one’s unique needs and circumstances.
- “A different kind of pharmacy” chronicles the my evolving appreciation for poetry, moving from initial skepticism to a practice of reading and hand-copying poems that resonate.
- “Being a Wayfarer” uses Antonio Machado’s poem “Wayfarer” to inspire a discussion about embracing the unknown and the transformative potential of stepping outside of comfort zones. I think of a wayfarer as someone willing to step into vulnerability and uncertainty, embracing the richness of emergent experiences.
By exploring the themes of pause, embodiment, appreciation, poetry, and embracing the unknown, I’ve invited readers throughout the year to engage in a deeper exploration of their own personal growth and the multifaceted nature of human experience.
And now I will come clean. This document has been generated by NotebookLM, an AI I’m exploring with both interest and trepidation. As an author with a unique voice, I never thought I’d “resort” to AI, but I’m attempting to move with the times and embrace what’s useful. So, had you figured that out??
[My private practice has a waiting list at the moment, but you’re always welcome to reach out and enquire if anything has changed].