Maintaining a Sense of Wonder and Presence
Reflecting on this year, I'm filled with gratitude as I continue to nurture my habit of paying attention or ‘wondering’. I marvel at God's creation during my walks, pondering His love and kindness, and contemplate the uniqueness of each person I journey with. Wonder, you see, creates a beautiful pause—a moment to truly absorb life. It connects me to the world with all my senses, offering a reprieve from the daily hustle and bustle.
Last year, my focus was to discover more about who I am and personal growth. Now, as I look back on this year, I'm grateful for the deeper awareness that has emerged. It provides me with clarity and confidence on this ongoing journey. I've started to view my calling or vocation from a different perspective: how do I impact others? Valuable insights have come from the feedback I've received from those I've worked with. Their experiences of 'my work' or 'me' have been instrumental.
As a coach and supervisor, I've always leaned into my strength of stillness, a vital component of my presence. However, for some, my stillness is not always helpful. They need a more active approach from me. One way is paying attention to what I experience in response to what the client is sharing and offering that. What are my sensations, feelings, thoughts, and intuition, albeit without being attached?
For example, I might also say in supervision and coaching: "As you are sharing the stress you experience, I feel a pressure in my head. What is that to you?" The client remains free to ponder and respond and might say: "I'm not connecting to that." Or: "Yes, that resonates, as I can't think clearly and get confused about what I think." The client has made their own conclusion around this offer and we explore their experience further and might explore other sensations they experience under stress.
Paying attention to my embodied presence is one way to be more actively felt by the client. Or adjusting my slower pace with stillness to be responsive sooner. My assumption had been that being present means being still. I am learning that a faster pace is an equal aspect of being present. [Note: for those wondering how this aligns with the ICF’s core competencies, reflect on the PCC markers 4.4, 5.1-5.5, 6.1, 6.5, and 7.5].
I invite you to reflect on your own growth, your unique qualities, and how others perceive you. What's your preferred style, and when does it serve your clients well? When could you adjust your style?
Looking ahead to the next year, I recognize that maintaining a sense of wonder is crucial. Discovering and embracing who God made me to be remains at the core. My work will revolve around activities that align with my authentic self, such as coaching, mentor coaching, coaching supervision, and creating mindful pauses throughout my day.
As we approach the season of celebrating Jesus, I extend my warm wishes for a joyful time of wonder. May we reflect on the profound significance of God becoming flesh and what that means for our daily lives as we embody His presence to others.
We eagerly anticipate the year ahead and invite you to explore the opportunities from the FOCOS Platform and consider joining additional courses that will enhance your ability to serve others.
Wolfgang
