What’s with the frog?

You’ll notice that the banner on my website shows pictures of a frog in several different exotic locations. This is my frog “Leap” and it has been a talisman for me on my journey over the past couple of years. Although it looks life-like, it’s actually a bronze sculpture from an artist named Tim “Frogman” Cotterill.

To me the frog is a symbol of transformation. Throughout its life, the frog’s unique growth cycle involves some incredible transformations from tadpole to fully-formed adult, changes that are sometimes challenging and yet necessary for it to thrive. It is thought that when a frog jumps into your life it is indicative of the opportunities that lie ahead, as long as you surrender to the transformation that is underway.

My work as a co-active coach has me seeing the potential in my clients in a way that is transformational. I partner with my clients as they undergo some incredible transformations into a life that is fulfilling, creative and has them thriving.

Have you noticed any frogs lately?

What Happened to All That Energy?

I heard a radio announcer this morning talk about the Gold Medal Blues – that Vancouver has gone from a buzz of joy and celebration to quiet and reserved since the Winter Olympics finished on Sunday. City buses that just days ago were alive with excitement had gone quiet. We felt proud as Canadians to be hosting such a spectacular event and our medal count was nothing less than inspiring. We had a lot to talk about. It struck me: here was an opportunity for people to engage with each other around an event like this, it’s like there was an obvious reason to be in relationship with one another, like permission to engage because it was afterall the Olympics. Then it was gone and so was the reason to be in relationship with others. Wait a minute, what happened to all that energy?

Do we need an excuse to talk with people we come in contact with? Do we need permission to engage in a meaningful conversation with someone we do not know? Perhaps we have become so cautious as a society, worried about inviting any risk or harm into our lives that we have forgotten the importance of connection.

I have been reading Seth Godin’s new book called Linchpin (I highly recommend it!) and there’s one story he shares about a short plane trip home that was experiencing delays. He was not willing to risk arriving home late, so was able to arrange for a rental car that would allow him to be home in two hours. He was travelling alone and offered up the remaining 4 seats in the car to others on the plane, free of charge. Nobody took him up on his offer. Nobody. He wonders if people were afraid of the intimacy of a two-hour car ride with complete strangers and instead chose to remain anonymous in their travels, arriving home possibly much later. And missed an opportunity to be in relationship with 4 new individuals.

I’d like to keep the joy, energy and inspiration from the Olympics moving forward. It takes a little extra time to notice the impact of a smile on the check-out clerk. Or to linger long enough in greeting another person to hear their response to “How are you?”. Little things that can make a big difference and it’s a place to start. I believe that at our core as human beings is our desire to be in relationship with others – let’s keep the flame burning.

I love the contemporary poetry of David Whyte. The True Love is a particular favourite of mine because it’s about the courage it takes to embrace that which you are called to do or be in this world – the true love. We don’t find it or experience it until we step out of the safety of our boat into the risky waters and the essence of life itself. Enjoy!

The True Love by David Whyte

There’s a faith in loving fiercely the one who is rightfully yours
especially if you have waited years and especially if part of you never
believed you could deserve this loved and beckoning hand held
out to you this way.
I am thinking of faith now and the testaments of loneliness
and what we feel we are worthy of in this world.
Years ago in the Hebrides I remember an old man
who would walk every morning on the gray stones
to the shore of baying seals, who would press his
hat to his chest in the blustering salt wind and say his
prayer to the turbulent Jesus hidden in the waters.
And I think of the story of the storm and the people
waking and seeing the distant, yet familiar figure,
far across the water calling to them.
And how we are all preparing for that abrupt waking
and that calling and that moment when we have to say yes!
Except it will not come so grandly, so biblically,
but more subtly, and intimately in the face
of the one you know you have to love.
So that when we finally step out of the boat
toward them we find, everything holds us,
and everything confirms our courage.
And if you wanted to drown, you could,
But you don’t, because finally, after all
this struggle and all these years,
you don’t want to anymore.
You’ve simply had enough of drowning
and you want to live, and you want to love.
And you’ll walk across any territory,
and any darkness, however fluid,
and however dangerous to take the one
hand and the one life, you know belongs in yours.