Monthly Archives: October 2012

Story Told is One Heard

Posted on October 27, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

It is the end of incredibly long and rewarding day. I thought I would try write a poem and I hope it works OK. I want to share about the retreat here and the questions are great. Deep listening is a necessity. What that might look like in other settings is a challenge to explain, so I hope to let that idea percolate over the next couple of days.

Your courage is your truth;

It reveals your story

So necessary to tell

And be heard.

Listen carefully

Words tell a story;

Only shared

With deep listening.

Today, listen differently

Hear words anew;

Sacred space shared;

Human love fully recognized.

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Posted in Community, Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged community, creativity, leadership, Parker Palmer, poetry, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Posted on October 26, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Russel has an incredible sense of humour and Zoey the cat approves it. There are days this is how I feel as I look at my computer screen.

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Take Courage, Friends

Posted on October 26, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I had an extraordinary and tiring day, but it is a tiredness born out of satisfaction. I received many gifts today and over the next little while it offers me much grist for the mill as a creative space emerges and words flow from it.

When I arrived in my room, I found two small gifts. One is a token with the word Courage engraved on it. The other a short passage by Wayne Arnason called Take Courage, Friends. As I strive to live in community and share with other people I need to recognize community, unlike teams, brings both sorrow and success in many forms.

The way is often hard, the path is never clear,

And the stakes are very high.

Take courage.

For deep down, there is another truth:

You are not alone.

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Posted in Community, Leadership, Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged community, creativity, leadership, Mindful Practice, Parker Palmer, quotes, spirituality, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Posted on October 25, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I am sitting in SeaTac getting ready for the next step in the journey to the retreat. I had a few minutes to check out blogs I follow. I am not sure what it is called, but it could be courage, wisdom, discernment, or some combination of those and ones unnamed.

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Posted on October 25, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

It was a long day, but, when I checked blogs, I found this. It is a great metaphor for life and the relationships of worth in them.

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On the Other Side of the Door

Posted on October 24, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Jeff Moss wrote this poem. I like it because over the past few months I allowed myself to be on the side of the door. I was with people I wanted to be with each day.

The next few days will be crazy. I am away, as I mentioned before and am not sure if I will be able to post. I look forward to the time with others who believe spirituality can and does play a role in leadership. When I embrace that thought, I am a different me–kinder, gentler, and genuine.

On the other side of the door
I can be a different me,
As smart and as brave and as funny or strong
As a person could want to be.
There’s nothing too hard for me to do,
There’s no place I can’t explore
Because everything can happen
On the other side of the door

On the other side of the door
I don’t have to go alone.
If you come, too, we can sail tall ships
And fly where the wind has flown.
And wherever we go, it is almost sure
We’ll find what we’re looking for
Because everything can happen
On the other side of the door.

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Posted in Leadership, Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged jeff moss, leadership, Mindful Practice, Parker Palmer, poem, spirituality, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Posted on October 23, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

A beautiful poem to begin the day.

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Companions

Posted on October 23, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I am preparing for a trip to Bainbridge and a retreat. This is part of a Leadership Academy presented by the Centre for Courage and Renewal. This is the second part of the process and it has been truly rewarding as I find my way on this journey called life with companions here at home, from all over North America and, sometimes, beyond.

Beloved other

An invitation,

For carried alone

Troubles weight us down

Each step, a struggle.

But, lightened,

Grow strong together

Backs straighten–

Shoulders square–

Heads held high.

Journey together,

Loads shared

Trust born

Become companions

Break bread together.

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Posted in Community, Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged community, creativity, Judy Brown, leadership, Parker Palmer, poetry, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Posted on October 22, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Here is a message I am learning to work with. I tend to worry about the 10% who I should not concern myself with as much.

Russel Ray Photos

Back in 1966 when I was being bullied in sixth grade, my wise old grandmother introduced me to the 80/10/10 rule, a subset of the 80/20 rule. She said,

“Ten percent of people will hate you simply because that’s the kind of people they are.

Ten percent of people will love you simply because that’s the kind of people they are.

The other eighty percent will love or hate you based on your words and actions.

Make ninety percent of the people you meet a part of your life and ignore the other ten percent.”