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Compassionate Listening

Throughout my life, I've had the honor to sit in some phenomenal trainings and workshops. I've been uplifted, inspired, brought to tears (both good and bad) and energized. Life is an ongoing learning experience, and a good one stretches you to the limits and makes you question your practices, beliefs and challenges, while inspiring you to become grounded in your journey and move forward.

This can be both an exciting opportunity and draining. I've always believed that the best growth, for me, was when I dug down deep into my soul and asked "why do I believe this way, or do this thing, or why don't I...?". Learning can be an extraordinary opportunity for us no matter our age, young or old, our experiences - or lack thereof, or the heartache or happiness we hold in our hearts. There's always room to expand our brains and in turn our abilities.

Recently I became a bit bewildered with social media and somewhat claimed a distance between me and it. Yes, social media had become a big icky IT for me (no pun intended, but hey). A once powerful tool for marketing, spreading my voice, sharing my concepts - I was but one small voice in the sea of many and I began to feel as though I had no impact at all. With today's cultural and political environment, I was feeling no matter how negative the acts were coming at us and out of our US culture and politics, we were losing steam - and ethics and human goodness seemed to be a thought of the past.

Hmmm, well because I am one who sees life through rose colored lenses, it took me a minute, but I was back at it. Social media was going to be my friend again and I was not going to give into the difficult conversations, the meanness, the inability to communicate and whatever else came my way that made me uncomfortable. I was going to do my part in squashing out conflict and negativity and spreading community in its place. And I was going to believe that consequences, whether seen or not, truly do answer to bad behaviors - eventually!!

After a few month hibernation and thinking that way, I awakened to the concept that YES, I do have a voice and YES, I can change things - even as one person. As Margaret Mead tells us, "never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." This was a phrase I grew to love through my Human Services program and still embrace today. I will continue to fight the good fight to change my portion of the world and I can only hope that those changes will be an incredible ripple that butterflies throughout our ethers.

In searching, once again, for my next workshop - yes, the consultant and trainer in me is an eternal learner myself!! - I came upon the Compassionate Listening workshop with Andrea Cohen. Not only did the topic interest me, but it was at an incredible location, The Center for Happiness in Anacortes. I was in! Who doesn't want to go to an event at the Center for Happiness - it's a guaranteed happy day when you walk in their doors - not to mention it's in a city by the sea ;0)

The Compassionate Listening Project's workshops teach the powerful skills for peacemaking that evolved out of years of reconciliation work in Israel and Palestine. I had heard of this work from a friend and colleague who was promoting a workshop her friend was delivering last year, but it simply crossed my mind and then faded off into the distance. As I came across it again this time, I dug into the work to explore if it was for me. I do believe the right opportunities come to you when you are ready.

The intention of Compassionate Listening is to access our deepest wisdom to transform separation and conflict into opportunities to connect, heal and contribute to a better world. This was right down my alley. It wasn't necessarily just about peace in the middle east, but peace in my own work, being, and happiness. I could apply it to my relationships, my leadership, my work, my volunteerism. YES - That was something I was into. After attending Seeds of Compassion - an entire decade ago, workshop's like Parker Palmer's Living Authentically - at the lovely IslandWood, and my official education in Human Services and Nonprofit Leadership, I was hungry for more.

You see, no matter how much education one takes, how many positions we hold, how many mentors we have in our circle of life - conflict and anxiety together with peace and harmony are always intersecting in our lives. We experience anxiety with new positions and the loss of a position, and tension with family situations that don't go as expected. Strong colleagues overwhelm us and downright mean bosses can demean us. We experience happiness with learned knowledge, great conversations, blissful interactions, delicious meals and wine (ok, well that's me at least), and harmony when the stars align and everything is simply going right in our lives. So, how can we achieve that bliss, harmony and happiness through peace ongoing? Practice!

It takes so much practice. Even the gurus, shamans and seamlessly flawless leaders practice - and I believe they'd tell you so. When we fall out of practice, or we don't quite know what we don't yet know, we stumble and life brings about those moments of anxiety, pressures, heartache, difficulty and conflict.

That is why I am so excited to be partnering with Andrea Cohen and Evie Boykan, along with the Anacortes Center for Happiness (did I say how much I love that name - they spread happiness all over Anacortes) to put a bit more peace, gratuity and harmony in your life. Together, we are offering you an opportunity to join us on September 22nd in beautiful Anacortes for a full day of learning, growth, and wonderful experiences. I am passionate about believing that I can make a difference and that together we can bring peace back into our world - starting with our communities, our work, our families and our own hearts. America is already great and we can definitely spread a little more greatness, peace and community, one person at a time.

Andrea explains that Compassionate Listening helps to access our deepest wisdom to transform separation and conflict into opportunities to connect, heal and contribute to a better world. In just one introductory day to Compassionate Listening, you'll walk away with:

• A personal practice – to cultivate inner strength, self-awareness, wisdom

• A skill set – to enhance interpersonal relations

• A process – to bring individuals/groups together and transform conflict

• A healing gift – to offer compassionate listening to others

You can find more information and register through a link right on my website:

https://www.hgf-consulting.com/training

(once onsite, click the Compassionate Listening link under Knowledge Workshops)

Knowing that many folks, like me, need to process a number of learning hours throughout the year, for those who complete the course - we are excited to offer Certificates of Completion that will be most helpful to those of you needing to fulfill CEU's for your careers or association memberships.

I hope to see you on September 22nd, as we work towards learning ways to expand peace and reduce conflict, while giving way to Compassionate Listening as a lifestyle change!

With warmest intent,

Heather


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