Re-Purposing – Building your scaffolding for deep change

The change of seasons often brings a ‘shift’ of focus.
For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, the blossoms appear on cue as the weather warms with the onset of Spring. People venture out more. In the Northern Hemisphere, a change of colours heralds Autumn or Fall. Both of these seasonal changes are equally important in terms of listening to what is being asked of us energetically – to ‘reset’ in order to stay in alignment.

This may not always be that easy. Especially with the increasing levels of ‘uncertainty’, even volatility, occurring in many parts of the globe. Whilst we may not be directly affected, we are all, at some level, indirectly impacted. The constant streaming of News from various media sources ensures that this is so, and whether we choose to engage with it or not, it is important to remember we are part of a bigger story. It almost seems that the message of change – of re-purposing, is flashing in neon lights – as though a new chapter is being written – a dismantling of the ‘old world’.

How we listen, or respond, to the call for change, depends on our capacity for ‘wise’ choosing.

So how do we respond?
I have found it useful to ask:

– What is mine to address?
– How am I engaging and where appropriate, taking action?

It is important to build one’s ‘scaffolding’ when re-purposing to remain flexible during these shifts. At the moment, it feels like a radical re-purposing is occurring- and hence the need for exceptional scaffolding!

Staying strong in these uncertain and volatile times is essential. Wendy Palmer, of Leadership Embodiment said recently that staying strong is about centred-ness – finding your centre. This is different to being grounded – if you are too grounded, you become ‘stuck’. Being centred, on the other hand, allows flexibility, and the ability to venture out and come back ‘home’ – to one’s ‘self’.

As you go about building your scaffolding, look at what will best support you in laying a sustainable foundation for creating the life you want moving forward.

Dealing with distractions, attachments to ‘old thinking’ or ‘old ways’, understanding the impact of our behaviour on others. All of this calls for increased awareness, of being mindful in every given moment and having a practice that supports you in this process.

It is so easy to fall into judgement if we are not aware or fully present. This does not allow for deeper insights of what may be really at the core of the issue.

It is useful to notice:

– What are my triggers?
– How am I judging?
– What is it that I can do differently (or BE)
– What habits of the mind do you need to let go of?

By chance last week, I reconnected with a Poet and Philosopher, John O’Donohue, whom I first encountered back in 1997, at a retreat in the Arizona desert. It seems a life time ago, given the changes and experiences I have personally and professionally had since then – and yet the insights were more profound in reconnecting with the depth of wisdom from this incredible author and teacher.

The message that resonated with me so strongly was ‘On Being’, and what happens when we cross a new ‘threshold’. John explains “a threshold as a place where we move into more critical and worthy fullness.”
The threshold is a line which separates two territories of spirit – how we cross is the key. If we cross worthily we heal the patterns of repetition that were in us, that had become stuck. The result is emerging fullness, a greater sense of depth, and an enriched memory of your unfolding life.

Now that is scaffolding – wisely choosing what to take forward. It is also an essential element of “re-purposing”

It is so easy to stick with the known – but that really is the easy way out.

I have been working with a client this week who has been on a journey of ‘re-purposing’ – both for himself as a person and a leader in guiding the habitual patterns that inhibit deep change. He observed that raising awareness of ‘mindtraps’ is easy, however, helping his people to shift behaviours and take different actions was proving more challenging! I asked him to extend his imagination and asked– “how could he engage with his environment differently?”

Some of his insights were:
– Managing his energy
– Developing a mindful mode of stillness
– Asking different questions
– Helping others to see the system and their role within it

This process allowed a deepening and a reset of the scaffolding he needs to embody moving forward, courageously and mindfully. To identify what is his to do and what is theirs. His energy dramatically shifted.

It is important to remember that when embarking on re-purposing – it is a new chapter, it is not a rehearsal.

What is the story you want to re-purpose and embody?
How might you have the courage to live the life you want to have?
How are you able to step forward, not waste energy on the fear, and build your scaffolding?

The Tall Journey focuses on building your scaffolding, helping you to re-purpose.