The Indigo Connection

I was listening to This American Life on NPR this morning as I was running and it got me thinking.  The program featured several interesting stories about people who have power over others and the responsibilities that come from those situations. 

During the program introduction, it was stated that people in powerful roles like teachers, bosses, therapists, judges and parents often do not give much thought to the people they have power over.  The program then went on to feature situations where the person who had the upper hand in the power situation wasn’t being very responsible or aware. 

These scenarios struck me as so odd and foreign to my own personal experience.  I guess I am someone who sees being in a position of power as a huge responsiblity and has never  taken the responsibility of power lightly.  

In my work as a coach, I am mindful that my own choices, words and behavior need to provide a role model for my clients.  I am also very careful that I don’t judge, criticize or make my clients feel small.   I am there as a resource and someone who suggests ideas, but never dictates action.  I realize it is a sacred trust that allows me to work with people and I am careful not to betray it.

As I looked back to other times in life that I have held power, again I see that I have been very conscious of the dynamics.  As a boss and business manager in my last job running a medical practice I remember putting intention into being fair, diplomatic and an example for the others.  If I was to enforce rules, I certainly followed them.  I also worked hard to lead by example.  I suppose the same could be said for my role as a parent.  I have always maintained that my own behavior teaches my kids far more than lectures and punishments ever could.

It is certainly my hope that as a new generation of leaders takes the helm in business, government and as parents, responsible intentions will also be there to guide the action.  Often we will find ourselves in a place where we can decide who we choose as our leaders and who we will entrust with power.  Remember that responsibility matters, integrity is key and the best leaders inspire by example.  I’ll be watching for that kind of leader.

 Action Step:  Pay attention to the power playing out in your life.  What kind of role model would you  choose to give your power to?  Jot down a few characteristics of a responsibile leader.  How could you incorporate those characteristics into your life this week?  Have fun with this.  We all have opportunities to lead.

I have just returned from a weeklong cruise.  This wasn’t your ordinary cruise, rather it was a Hay House “I Can Do It” event involving some of the world’s most outstanding leaders and speakers in the areas of spirituality and personal growth including Wayne Dyer, Sylvia Brown, Cheryl Richardson, Brian Wiess, Doreen Virtue and Carolyn Myss.  This was a charter voyage, so only Hay House people were on board.   A whole ship full of like minds!  The energy was certainly different from any other cruise I had ever taken (check out my blog post from June 07 regarding a different cruise experience and my sensitivity to energy!)

This kind of experience makes me more aware of how the people we choose to spend time with can affect our life experience.  Spending time with people who share our values and see the world in a similar way certainly lets us relax and just be.  Like-minded people are less likely to drain your energy and far more likely to give you the means to build it up.  Certainly a cruise experience is an even more ideal setting to hang out with like minds, but it nevertheless demonstrates how good it can feel.

The challenge I pose now is that we all take a little time to review the key relationships in our lives.  Do you share sometime positive in common with these important people? Have you even taken the time to find out where the other person is coming from?  Think about your partner, co-workers, family members, friends and acquaintances.   Consider the following questions:

1. What do you  hold as truth in your life?  How does your version of the truth compare with this person you spend so much most time with?

2. Do you share your beliefs openly with the people in your life?  Do you feel you can without being attacked or judged?  

3.  Do you allow other people to share what they believe in without judgment or interruption?

4.  If you disagree with others, how to you communicate your difference of opinion?  

5.  When other people disagree with you, how do you react?  Do you speak out,  stay quiet or change the subject?

 Finding a friend of like mind is an amazing way to build energy and gain the courage to follow your own heart through even the most difficult times.  Even if you are not sure what you believe, there is probably someone out there feeling the same way.

We were meant to connect and share.  We can learn through the experiences of other people and can teach through our own sharing.  We can certainly feel more safe and secure in the presence of like minds.

I have learned that just being present as an openminded witness for other people is one of the most healing things a human being can do whether you agree or not.  When you allow yourself to simply be present and listening, a space is created for hearts to connect.  Pay attention to relationships this week and celebrate the healing power a kindred spirit can offer.

It never ceases to amaze me that just when I think I may have figured out how a small particle of this universe works, something new comes along to show me how much more I still need to figure out.  I guess I see this as a sign that there will always be a great reason to greet each new day as long as I’m here in this physical form.  One of my favorite teachers always said that true leaders should strive for “Enlightened Stupidity”.   I guess I’m following that path!

There have been many AH- HA moments during the past few weeks sharing the book A New Earth with both the local book group I’ve been leading as well as Oprah’s live teleconference.  What a great experience it has been.  I encourage anyone who has not yet read the book to check out some of the free webcast downloads at www.Oprah.com because they are outstanding.  I applaud Oprah, Eckhart and Oprah’s producers for handling some very difficult and deep questions on live TV.  This is vulnerable leadership at its VERY BEST. 

I will also admit right up front that my opinion of Mr. Tolle has been transformed during these 5 weeks.  You see, I came into this having listened to Mr. Tolle read The Power of Now on audio and had read A New Earth in early 2007.  I regarded both as works of spiritual inspiration, but I felt humor and lightness were suspiciously lacking in both.  Now that I have experienced Mr. Tolle working in the live environment, I see that he is a gentle, genuine soul with a very subtle silliness running through him.  Yes!  My awareness tells me that his God is the same one that speaks to me.  That was the missing piece.

 I also realize that each one of us filters the messages from the Divine in very different ways and that is how it should be.  Each one of us is a true expression of that Divine energy, yet also something that is unique in and of itself.  That is the beauty that I am now seeing so often in the present moment.

 This week I head off to book-writer’s bootcamp with Cheryl Richardson and the Hay House “I Can Do It” team of exceptional speakers and authors.  We will be sailing from San Diego down the Mexican coast for 7 days.  I can only imagine this will be about as close as it gets to heaven  on earth and I will strive to make this a continuous stream of present moment engagement.  There will be so much to inspire my writing too!

I used to think that writing was going to be a tough uphill climb for me because so many people have written important messages of spirituality, healing, balance and success.  How could I possibly add something to these great written accomplishments?  Suddenly I see that my unique energy can and will create something that has never been stated quite the same way before — and that message will reach the souls that are ready to hear it in a way that awakens something new within them.

It is my deliberate intention to stay on this path and be who I am.  I’ll be writing with a new confidence and sharing my journey.  I look forward to having kindred hearts respond to the messages that run from God through my unique filter.