Connection

In these difficult times, I believe it’s important to search for, find, and immerse myself in experiences, relationships, and communities that nourish and support me.

How are you feeling? Are you making time to check in with yourself and take good care? 

Happily, there are a few experiences of late that are providing me with support, inspiration, and a sense of belonging.

Just yesterday, I shared one of my favorite experiential encounters with my colleagues and friends in VEOLI  Visualizing End of Life Issues, (www.veoli.net). We made time in our regularly scheduled meeting to pause/step away from what had preceded our gathering together, using The Coaching Game© card deck, (Points-of-You.com). We explored the question, “What is the potential of VEOLI and us (as members)?” We dropped into the experience and shared from the heart about what we feel, believe, and hope. It was a wonderful experience that surfaced questions, pointed to subjects of future conversations, and strengthened our relationships.

When/where and how do you pause and connect with others? What resources do you use? Do you want more of those grounding experiences? 

At the beginning of March, I stepped into a new role, as community engagement coordinator for Drawify (www.drawify.com). It is a delightful experience! I’m connecting with people I know and people I know of (in the larger professional community) for conversations about how we want to show up and be in community together as Drawifiers. We are building on the foundation of what is working in the community of illustrators and imagining into the future about what we want to co-create. The process is exhilarating!

Which elements of your life are a place of comfort, inspiration, or connection for you —perhaps a certain group of colleagues, special events or communities?

And, I find that some one-time events provide me with connection and joy. 

Yesterday I was part of the Visual Jam, sharing my passion for templates with folks from around the world. We connected around the topic and the feelings that arise around the work and play of drawing/creating. 

On Sunday, I was tangling with folks in my Zentangle Series. The sessions are an opportunity to teach (which I adore), to learn (in the moment when I do well and make mistakes), and connect with students who want to grow their skills and experience the calm that accompanies tangling.

I savor all of these different experiences.

When you pause to consider the range of engagement in your life, what are you savoring?

I anticipate that tomorrow’s Drawify event, Viewing Life with an  Appreciative Lens, is going to be more of the same.  I LOVE this topic and can’t wait to offer up Appreciative Inquiry as a way to live in the world. I hope to see you there, you can register here

I hope that you will connect with me, reach out with your answers to my questions, or maybe with questions of your own.