Speak unto me
Do you find there are themes that run through your life? My rule of thumb is whenever something appears to me 3 times; I know that the universe is knocking at my door saying “hello pay special attention”.
The message I’ve been receiving lately is around trust. This is not new; in fact it’s been a reoccurring theme throughout my life. But each time, it takes me to a deeper level of understanding and experience.
By the way, I think coaching is the perfect profession for earning a master's degree in self trust!
OK so my oddest coaching moment thus far occurred very recently and has produced one of my greatest teachings on trust.
Uhhhh….. Ahhhh…..
After a client responded to a question Id asked, all of a sudden my mind went blank. I could not for the life of me think of one thing to say in response, not one question to ask, one reflection to make… well you get the point. It was strange because I didn't feel stuck, I just felt thought-free. If I had been sitting for meditation it would have been perfect!
I remember taking a deep breath and as I exhaled I dropped further into the stillness. And so there we sat in the silence for who knows how long, maybe 20 or 30 seconds which of course is a long time when someone's waiting for your response.
However, I felt absolutely fine with it. After all, I had no thoughts to tell me otherwise! But then at some point I heard my mind say “okay… it's time to say something”.
It’s do or die time
The thing was, I still didn't have anything to say. But I knew it was time - so I simply watched in utter fascination as I opened my mouth and began to form words. I had not a clue as to what was going to be said until it was voiced.
Now my ego would love to tell you that what came forth were profound pearls of wisdom. But in truth, it was fairly simple and mundane and if I’d had the chance to monitor it, probably wouldn’t have chosen to say it. But out it came.
The judgement
And of course my mind immediately questioned whether it had been the “right” thing to say. But it was quickly assuaged when to my continued astonishment; it really “spoke” to the client. It provided a spring board for a major aha moment and her greatest take away of the session. Go figure!
I certainly have had the experience of not being sure what to say or where to go in a session and just having to listen within, choose and trust. As well as the experience of being so focused that everything just flowed. And after the session, looking back and feeling more like a vehicle that the coaching came through. Or having said something and immediately afterwards thinking wow where did that come from?
Bombs away!
But this was a first! As I opened my mouth, I remember feeling both a sense fear and exhilaration- kinda like what I imagine it must feel like when the door of the plane opens and you step to the edge in preparation for the big jump.
Well this leap of faith has changed me. At the risk of sounding dramatic, I can honestly say I am not the same.
From the rubble a beautiful new sprout
I have a new sense of self confidence and freedom to mention just two of the benefits. Instead of fearing and dreading “not knowing” there’s now a part of me that actually looks forward to exploring that space and seeing what “allowing” will bring forth.
Now that I think about it, I don’t think there is a greater gift than that!
And who was that coaching session for???
OK so whats your oddest, funniest, most bizarre or transcendent coaching moment?
