...and here we are. Sustaining Wonder. The final part of our tagline trilogy. Always the supreme task. The singular strategy with the widest, most diverse set of tactics. If we had been able to include a parenthesis it might have been (...how?).

Alone that becomes the query. By the time we arrive at this point with our partners the query often becomes, "how will I find time?" or "how is something so simple...so...so...elusive?"

We begin with a simple exercise. Sitting outside, or inside with a nice view - focus your gaze on the farthest point of the landscape. It does not have to be pinpointed but far away, maybe a field or hillside or set of clouds. Hold the view for as long as you can. Notice the energy required to maintain the gaze. When you tire of the effort let your gaze fall back to the place where it is comfortable. Notice where it goes when it retracts.

Now contrast the gaze with the place it returns to. That contrast offers a window into wonder.
How you sustain that wonder is a practical application - how do you do what you do. Not be confused with proficiency or competency of how you execute the task.

That thin thread, when tugged, unleashes self-awareness. Knowing what interests you combined with energy to understand whatever that is. Our histories are literally littered with things that once interested us. They equate to our hard skills - what we do. Those fade, are replaced or (sadly) become automated. How we do them and what they mean are the fonts that never abate. They are the coveted "soft skills". They are you. They are what you see, how you see it and how you participate within that which you see. That can never be automated nor replaced...and they can only be sustained by you!

We wish each of you a wonderful Holiday Season...however you celebrate! We thank you for your support, interest and most of all...wonder! We'll leave you with one of our favorite answer when asked what wonder looks like...

Every once in awhile the 1st (&) 15th Blog post runs delayed...not often, but...today is one of those days. With good reason I might add!

Blair & I attended a yoga retreat yesterday. It was facilitated by our friend, Janet Green-Garrision and due to our travels & time with friends...the (1st) is now the (4th). Which sets the stage perfectly for the second part of this series exploring the tag line for Meaningful Trainings, "building intention".

At the beginning of the day Janet asked all participants to clarify their intention for the day. To be clear about why you were there and (as I understood the instruction) tell yourself clearly. She provided time and then gently, throughout the day, asked us to revisit our intention. I used those moments to think about my reason for my actions for the time in the retreat.

While I had to plan on going to the retreat, allocated time, resources & energy I really never ventured into the deeper prompts of my doing so. Yoga retreat. OK, go. Bolstered only by my enjoyment of the idea and intention to get to know Janet more there really was no deeper intention. When asked in the moment and reminded to revisit throughout the day I was taken to a deeper place within myself...

...the place we put forth with the second stop in our tag line, "building intention". To be clear, thoughtful and presently aware of why I am doing something. We understand & believe in this power such we made it part of our keystone. Thank you Janet for reminding us of the importance of...reminding ourselves!

If you ever head out towards Cape Ann (not Cape Cod) look up Janet Green-Garrision & her wonderful studio for a yoga class. You can find her via the link below:
http://yogaforhealth.info/