Amanda Lee - Life Matters Consultancy Services

A thought I'm taking into 2022 with me.

A new idea held by the old self is never a really new idea, whereas even an old idea held by a new self will soon become fresh and refreshing. Contemplation actually fills our reservoir with clear, clean water that allows us to encounter experience free of old patterns. (RICHARD ROHR)

My add-on: contemplation is also what allows me to see what is within me so I can choose to move away from 'old and unserving' and into 'new and fully alive' 😊

Happy New Year ❤ May it be our best one yet!

Yes, I've been social media quiet for a number of weeks. It's been an absolute freedom after over two years of daily posts on multiple pages, connecting with old friends, new friends, strangers, building business and community. It's been a delight to just live in the moment. And I've been busy: hanging with the kids, a promotion at work, riding in the rain, absorbing Van Gogh, reconnecting with treasure friends. I've been letting the old expectations of life go and letting this new life of not running a business and living in the city and having more time to breathe, delight, and experience emerge.
Here's to a new style of social media posting also emerging 🙌😀
And, thanks to those kind people who noticed my absence and checked in. Community in any of its forms is essential for a delightful life!

Here is a great reflection question: Do you make decisions based on limitations?

What does your gut tell you as you read that question? Your immediate response may not be the truth, but it can tell you exactly what you subconsciously think about yourself.

If your immediate reaction was, “Yes!” it is more than likely that you are struggling with an area of limitation right now. Do you know what the area is? Or maybe you just feel unsettled but haven’t yet determined what’s causing it. Take time to listen to yourself.

Did you not have an immediate answer? Did you have to think about it? Well, that’s great. You are likely to discover a very balanced understanding of your strengths and limitations through a little reflection. You can celebrate and make future goals from this moment.

If you said an emphatic, “No! I don’t” then good on you. But also take care. You do know that each one of us has limitations in our lives. Just like the strengths we haven’t yet discovered, there are also limitations we don’t yet know about. This doesn’t make us bad or not good enough, it just makes us human. I do hope you don’t punish yourself when a limitation shows it’s head! Perfection is not the goal. Learning about ourselves and growing from what we learn, and enjoying this discovery life, is what we are all about!

Tips on vulnerability:
- Firstly, be vulnerable with yourself
- Be patient with yourself and others
- Find your secret place

In that secret vulnerable place, listen for wisdom and encouragement. Use honesty and build a vulnerable space with your friends. It takes time. And one of the best ways to do that is to learn to listen to yourself, and to invite others to be vulnerable with you. Allow your friends to be honest with you. And be clear about what vulnerability looks like. Be clear about what you expect when you say you're being vulnerable. Do you mean, I don't need you to fix it” or “I just need you to listen”? Or maybe you actually mean, “I need your help to fix this!”

The 4 Languages of Growth:

Educational, Foundational, Motivational, Transformational.

Everybody can easily use all four languages either once, or repeatedly, in their lifetime. Most people have a natural attraction to one or maybe two. Many times, the use of one language will cause us to grow and develop, making another of the languages to become essential to support or extend our growth. That's the most organic way of developing the four languages. And then, there is intentional development.

The truth is, without intention, many of us will ignore at least one of the languages completely in our lives; but, with intention, we can discover more of what we are truly capable of.

Come and Join me this 21st of Sept 7pm AEST an online conversation, we will focus on understanding the four languages and their characteristics and benefits, identifying which ones are or natural inclination, and exploring how we can use these languages intentionally to help us discover more of what we are truly capable of.

Please click here to register: https://mailchi.mp/3c9b8e785239/thefourlanguagesofgrowth

It is one thing to be challenged about my own vulnerability. I feel like it is easier for me to focus on my vulnerability because, in the end, I choose it, therefore I am still in some element of control. If I choose to be open-hearted I can choose to stop at any moment if I don’t like the response. I can choose to listen to others or I can choose to disregard others input. The choice (and control) is mine.

The next question to ask, then, is how good am I at accepting others’ vulnerability? How good are you? How do you react when others come to you with an open heart? Are you listening without an agenda? Are you planning what to say to fix their problem, maybe even while they are still talking? Are you giving them your undivided attention or is half your mind on your phone or your to-do list?

I think it is always a valuable lesson to consider how we manage on both sides of the conversation. What are your best tips on being the receiver of a vulnerable conversation? It would be great to hear your ideas!

The Four Languages of Growth: Foundational, Educational, Motivational, Transformational.

Everybody can easily use all four languages either once, or repeatedly, in their lifetime. Most people have a natural attraction to one or maybe two. Many times, the use of one language will cause us to grow and develop, making another of the languages to become essential to support or extend our growth. That's the most organic way of developing the four languages. And then, there is intentional development 😊 My favourite kind.

This online conversation will focus on understanding the four languages and their characteristics and benefits, identifying which ones are or natural inclination, and exploring how we can use these languages intentionally to help us discover more of what we are truly capable of.

As usual as the Ikigai way of valuing honest focused valuable conversation.It will be another fun night, full of encouragement and make goals for the future.
Come and Join me this 21st of Sept 7pm AEST

Please click here to register :

The Four Languages of Growth The Four Languages of Growth: Foundational, Educational, Motivational, Transformational. Everybody can easily use all four languages either once, or repeatedly, in their lifetime. Most people have a natural attraction to one or maybe two. Many times, the use of one language will cause us to grow and...

Educational, Foundational, Motivational, Transformational.

Everybody can easily use all four languages either once, or repeatedly, in their lifetime. Most people have a natural attraction to one or maybe two. Many times, the use of one language will cause us to grow and develop, making another of the languages to become essential to support or extend our growth. That's the most organic way of developing the four languages. And then, there is intentional development.

The truth is, without intention, many of us will ignore at least one of the languages completely in our lives; but, with intention, we can discover more of what we are truly capable of.

Listening to ourselves is not something that our culture encourages.

So let’s take a quick ‘test’ and see how well each of us can answer the following questions.

The first FIVE people to write their answers in the comments will receive a mystery prize! It’s a mystery because the prize will depend on your answer, of course 🙂

Have a notebook to record your answers for yourself and then share with us in the comments below. Ready?

Here are the questions:
What is the thing you are most passionate about?
What is the thing you absolutely can’t stand or cannot bear to do?
How does your passion and your avoidance of a pet ‘hate’ shape your day-to-day life?
Yes, these questions are all related to this one thing: Do you know your hot buttons and how do they limit you and/or enhance the quality of your life? How do they diminish or accentuate your joy?

What were you doing on Saturday night?

A few of us were online having wonderful conversation around that priceless foundation of our lives: Identity 😀

From the very start we were encouraged and discovering delightful and insightful things about ourselves personally and celebrating the discoveries of each other.

It really doesn't take much effort to remind yourself of your value and strengths. We found that simply being willing to have honest conversation brought about marvelous truths and reminders. So refreshing!

Below is one of the questions we spent time with. How would you answer it?

Look out for more posts this week relating to Identity. We all have one, what are we doing with it and how are we nurturing it?

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Magic happens in a vulnerable conversation. There is no getting around it. No matter how a vulnerable conversation goes (and let’s admit, sometimes things do not go the way we planned!) there’s something magical about the feeling of trust and hope that takes place within a vulnerable conversation.

You were created for that.. that opportunity to connect heart-to-heart with another human being. Sometimes a vulnerable conversation includes no words; it’s just sitting holding hands. Sometimes it includes really unpleasant emotions, and sometimes it’s all warm and fuzzy. Vulnerable conversation is not about leaving people feeling good, but about people feeling valued, needed, respected. Every human on the planet has the right to feel that they matter. Vulnerable conversation does that.

I have had vulnerable conversation in about 30 seconds with the checkout attendant, or with a stranger at a bus stop, a lady in my yoga class.. it doesn’t need to be long-winded or be a complete baring of the soul. It can be as simple as a look or a comment that says, “I am listening” or “I appreciate you”.

Let the magic happen.