Practices That Change The World #2

Time to read: It's a long one. A little over a minute and worth every second (if I may say so myself). :-)

Look! Last week's image applies again! Notice the second rung from the bottom.

I truly believe the Gandhi quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Talking about and wishing for what you want out there can only be accomplished by creating those exact same things in here.

• If you want more peace then how to create peace in yourself and your relationships?
• If you want more understanding, how do you become someone who understands?
• If you want integrity, then you must be impeccable and seek repair when you, inevitably, are not (because you're human, after all).

Which brings me to Changing the World Practice #2.

Responsibility

This is not your parents' "you must pay your bills" kind of responsibility. Responsibility means owning your life. Owning that you have created it all - the good, the bad, the ugly. One trick for taking responsibility is to do it without self-criticism and judgment. It's not about blaming yourself or others when things are hard. Here's an example:

Let's say you sailed through college and launched yourself into a career that felt pretty good at first. Then 10-years in you start to feel dissatisfied. Maybe you're not getting the promotions you want. Maybe you dread going to work. Maybe it all feels overwhelming, and you wonder if you need to quit. You will not find your answer by blaming your boss or the terrible corporate culture or by complaining constantly to your friends or beating yourself up for wasting time. (I know cuz I did this for 2 years.)

The answer will come from getting curious about yourself - What motivated you? (Pleasing others? Striving for recognition?) Where did you bypass your inner wisdom? How do you betray yourself and your own needs? What do you actually want for you life? How do you build the courage to create it?

This is what real responsibility looks like.

Imagine a world where EVERYONE takes responsibility for themselves. Wow. I'd like to live there.

You're the best!

P.S. If you love this newsletter, your friends and colleagues will, too. Anyone can sign up here.

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Thinking About Integrity

Time to read: 25 seconds.

In the past few months and especially the past few weeks, I've consumed more news than I have at any other time in my life. As you all are consuming a lot of media these days, too, I'm committed to keeping my newsletter even shorter and more relevant than ever so you can focus on all the other important voices out there.

As I listen to the news, one question I've thought a lot about is integrity - both personal and corporate. How are individuals, organizations, and our government responding to everything that's happening? What do their responses say about them? And what do they teach us about the foundations of integrity and how to maintain and sustain your own personal integrity? How does courage fit in? And vulnerability? And risk?

Companies have responded to George Floyd's murder and the subsequent call for justice and change. Some have knocked it out the park (Ben and Jerry's) and some have been, well, strange (give this lively, funny and poignant radio broadcast - It's Been a Minute - a listen).

Then ask yourself, what does integrity look like for you in all this?

That's what I've got on this June day.

With rebel love,

Christina

P.S. If you want to feel encouraged that change is possible, listen to The New York Times Daily podcast about the landmark Supreme Court ruling.

You Already Get It!

Time to read: Less than one minute then you are back at it!

Hello Rebels!

Today’s article is told with permission. Not just with permission but with, “OMG, a RESOUNDING YES!”

One of my new clients, let’s call him Ted, was telling me about…

• His discouraging, demotivating, and soul-sucking job.
• His beautiful, growth-filled, and conscious personal life.

Every day, Ted goes to work, serves up new business and watches his company disappoint and fail to deliver to those new customers in ways, that in his mind, lack integrity. (Why he has tolerated a work situation that lacks integrity is a newsletter for another day.)

And, Ted has made significant and brave changes in his personal world. He has embraced an alcohol-free lifestyle, committed to a wonderful and loving relationship, and prioritized a long list of amazing volunteer activities that feed his life purpose.

One part of his life is integrated and intentional. Another part is out of integrity. Have you seen this dynamic in your world - where one area feels great while another feels crummy?

Here’s the good news. You already get it. You already know what to do.

When I asked Ted what enabled him to be brave and intentional in his personal life, he said “reflection and positive action.”

Perfect. Ted took a homework assignment to think about how to bring his own wisdom of reflection and positive action to his work life. Then he can sit back and watch with awe as things start to change.

So, take a look at the parts of your life that feel great. What are doing to make those parts great? Make a short list and then apply your own wisdom to the parts that stink.

You already know what to do. You already have the tools that work for you. You just have to put them to use.

Then tell me all about it. I love hearing from you.

With rebel love,

Christina