Comments on: Are We Listening? http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2006/04/09/are-we-listening/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:42:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Lamont Moon http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2006/04/09/are-we-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-16 Lamont Moon Fri, 16 Jun 2006 11:28:47 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/?p=17#comment-16 I have heard it said that when lost in the woods the best thing to do is listen to the trees because they know the way. This somewhat cryptic expression suggests that unconditional presence to what is, and to the "now" of what some call co-emergence (the presence with both good and bad) will be telling of what is before us and maybe more importantly, what it within us. As we let our life speak to us as it needs to, we then have opportunity to act with authority that both originates within an authentic center of essence, but also is where our strength comes from. Activity is never the answer in and of itself, telesis is (progress that is intelligently planned and directed). How we experience this in my experience has lots to do with listening to the trees that are right in our midst. I have heard it said that when lost in the woods the best thing to do is listen to the trees because they know the way. This somewhat cryptic expression suggests that unconditional presence to what is, and to the “now” of what some call co-emergence (the presence with both good and bad) will be telling of what is before us and maybe more importantly, what it within us. As we let our life speak to us as it needs to, we then have opportunity to act with authority that both originates within an authentic center of essence, but also is where our strength comes from. Activity is never the answer in and of itself, telesis is (progress that is intelligently planned and directed). How we experience this in my experience has lots to do with listening to the trees that are right in our midst.

]]> By: Rich Wilson http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2006/04/09/are-we-listening/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Rich Wilson Mon, 10 Apr 2006 13:46:26 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/?p=17#comment-12 Identifying and focusing on the "necessary" needs of our life is a process that is often given a back seat. There is no intent to place it in that position, but it is shoved there by our letting distractions take precedence. You are correct that we must not only keep our focus (sight), but that we must also be aware that we can easily become blinded. I would offer, however, that this is often more a case of being "blindsided." We live in a world and time of the immediate. Things rush at us at lightning speed and all have a way of demanding our attention and subsequent action. So how do we keep from being blindsided without ignoring the external distractions? I am not saying that external distractions are all negative in nature. There are some that do not or are not related to our lives. Others can and should be embraced. This is why we must filter without ignoring. Often when we have a personal or professional need, the answer is right before us but we become so insulated that we often do not take the time to look. It's becomes the life version of internet SPAM. We find ourself deleting it all. A tool that I use in various forms is based on the fundamentals of marketing. What you see or do everyday will eventually cause a habit to form. I keep a small colored dot on my watch, on my computer screen, and on the rearview mirror of my vehicle. It reminds me each time that I see it that I should, at that moment, offer a quick prayer and to think about my personal goals and needs to ensure that what I am doing is in line with what God has planned for me. Identifying and focusing on the “necessary” needs of our life is a
process that is often given a back seat. There is no intent to place it
in that position, but it is shoved there by our letting distractions
take precedence.

You are correct that we must not only keep our focus (sight), but that
we must also be aware that we can easily become blinded. I would offer,
however, that this is often more a case of being “blindsided.” We live
in a world and time of the immediate. Things rush at us at lightning
speed and all have a way of demanding our attention and subsequent
action.

So how do we keep from being blindsided without ignoring the external
distractions? I am not saying that external distractions are all
negative in nature. There are some that do not or are not related to our
lives. Others can and should be embraced. This is why we must filter
without ignoring. Often when we have a personal or professional need,
the answer is right before us but we become so insulated that we often
do not take the time to look. It’s becomes the life version of internet
SPAM. We find ourself deleting it all.

A tool that I use in various forms is based on the fundamentals of
marketing. What you see or do everyday will eventually cause a habit to
form. I keep a small colored dot on my watch, on my computer screen,
and on the rearview mirror of my vehicle. It reminds me each time that
I see it that I should, at that moment, offer a quick prayer and to
think about my personal goals and needs to ensure that what I am doing
is in line with what God has planned for me.

]]>