Tag Archives: creativity

Mojo Gathers Momentum

Posted on October 31, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

This was not originally a poem. It was a summary of the past year and the struggle to find a new space where I could create and be fully present. It all began in Oakland about this time last year and has grown with each ensuing day.

It just happened–

I let go

Spoke without anger–

A sadness;

For what is lost.

Stared into the abyss–

Sat with unformed questions

Terrifying

The darkness;

The incompleteness.

Took stock

Looked inwards–

Accepted extended hands

Discarded baggage

Walked towards the light.

Mojo gained momentum–

Sprung up in a creative space

Simple presence

Live my truth;

With each moment’s question.

13 Comments

Posted in Leadership, Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged Circles of Trust, creativity, leadership, Mindful Practice, poetry, relationships, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Welcome Differences

Posted on October 30, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I sat in SeaTac airport in Seattle for about 6 hours and had much time to reflect. The result was a number of poems. This one wrote itself based on a wonderful conversation about the need for leadership to allow the disallowable into the circle. We each have gifts to offer. It takes patience and a new conversation to welcome others into our tight little circles. In the end, we share a little of each other and there is more the same than different in all likelihood.

Patience–

We need it to converse fully;

A new conversation

One that allows the disallowable.

‘Intelligence’ prevails–

Facts and knowledge

Supplant heart’s courage–

Wisdom;

Common sense.

What seems obvious now

Was all along

We pause briefly

Just long enough

Observe–

Awaken, listen deeply.

Welcome that which is different

Invite him or her forward

Complete the circle–

Another piece of peace.

Each unique view fills a void

Give each one voice

Herald it with life;

It is one I do not have

I cannot have

It belongs to someone else

Yet, to me, as well.

12 Comments

Posted in Community, Leadership, Mindful Life, Poetry and tagged community, creativity, leadership, Mindful Practice, poetry, spirituality, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Gentle Rain

Posted on October 28, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I wind down the week and head into Sabbath. It is odd to say and write those words, because I have celebrated Sabbath since my arrival at Bainsbridge. When I come to a courage retreat, I enter into a covenant, at least with myself, that I slow down, talk less, and listen more deeply to others and myself. The great thing is this is the norm here. Time is purposely and purposefully set aside to share in small groups, listen and be fully present for each other, reflect in our corners, and find our way back to the joyful circle of kindred spirits. It is unlike any other conference, workshop, or training I take. The focus is on opening up creative space and that requires different being present. It is a space of vulnerability and solidarity, of coming together to find ourselves coming home.

I meditated this morning and sat inside the main hall. It was raining which I understand is often the case in Seattle at this time of the year.

We sat inside the drum;

A small group

I heard rain overhead

Its song reverent

A gentle tap on the roof

Occasional increases in tempo

More rhythm in that fresh moment.

Perhaps, as gusts of wind shake trees–

Fresh dreams

Break us free from reverie

Together, we embark

Explorers

Perhaps, even pirates.

From golden hearts

Gentle invitations sent

And received.

Whatever, each chooses;

Wherever, each walks;

Remember–

We do it together

Joyously, in community

We carry a little of each other on this journey.

Last year, after the sudden and tragic passing of a young woman we met several years ago, I recounted a Buddhist understanding passed on by Senryu Suzuki and Thich Nhat Hanh. Each person we greet on life’s journey leaves an indelible imprint on us. We only need to stand or sit quietly and listen and like a wind and gentle rain voices are heard again and again in the silence of that moment.

20 Comments

Posted in Community, Leadership, Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments, Sabbath, Uncategorized and tagged community, creativity, leadership, Mindful Practice, Parker Palmer, poetry, spirituality, teacher as transformer, Thich Nhat Hanh. Bookmark the permalink.

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.

11 Comments

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

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.

14 Comments

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.

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.

9 Comments

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

End of Week

Posted on October 20, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Turn the soil

Plant the seeds

Offer precious food

Sustaining liquid

Nourish the spirit

A soul grows,

Buoyed–

A light shines

Reveals the path

With each step taken.

Breathe

Barely audible

Life giving

End of week arrives

I wait quietly,

I pause patiently,

I till tenderly,

Turn the soil

Plant the seeds

Take care.

4 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments, Sabbath and tagged creativity, Mindful Practice, nature, poetry, sabbath, spirituality, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

The Way it Is

Posted on October 19, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

A common theme has followed me the last little while. It has wound its way through my posts, my thoughts, and it seems in the daily discourse I have with songs I hear or poetry I read. It is the idea that as much as I try to hold on to the way things are, they are still in a constant rhythm of change. It reminds of Heraclitus’ quote: You could not step twice into the same river; for other waters are ever flowing on to you. I find it is more complicated than that, as the same person cannot step into the river. With each ensuing moment, I change and the world I live in and with changes.

Yesterday, as I was driving home, Tommy Castro, a San Francisco blues performer, came on the radio with a song called It Is What it Is. The lyrics of the refrain go like this:

Yeah, I am what I am,

‘Cause I ain’t what I used to be.

‘Cause it is what it is,

But it ain’t what it used to be.

Sometimes, as much as I want things to remain the same or return to an idealized past, they cannot. Part of the reason, a big part, is I am not who I was a moment ago. Today, I flipped open one of the many books of poetry books I enjoy and found this William Stafford poem which echoed the lyrics above.

There’s a thread you follow. It goes among

things that change. But it doesn’t change.

People wonder about what you are pursuing.

You have to explain about the thread.

But it is hard for others to see.

While you hold it you can’t get lost.

Tragedies happen; people get hurt

or die; and you suffer and get old.

Nothing you can do can stop time’s unfolding.

You don’t ever let go of the thread.

10 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments, Synchronicity and tagged conversational journey, creativity, Heraclitus, Mindful Practice, poetry, teacher as transformer, Tommy Castro, William Stafford. Bookmark the permalink.

Circle of Appreciation

Posted on October 19, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

”A great blog is a space where one brings others into their world with thoughts, aspirations, and visions of what is possible. It will transcend time as visitors will join the day, but discover the past of the member of this vibrant community. Digital communities of this nature will be respectful and honest spaces shrinking the world and dissolving boundaries.”

I am grateful to Marsha Lee who streams her thoughts in many ways and helps me navigate the shoals of this new community. She is a writer, innovator, and teacher on her blog.

I acknowledge and invite several bloggers I was fortunate to find as I transformed my blog from an intermittent one without a focus to one with real purpose, I hope. I followed their efforts and recognized a blog is about connecting with me and, when that occurs, I will connect with others. I know a couple do not accept awards, but I wanted to acknowledge and thank them.

I appreciate Melody at Meanwhile, Melody Muses. She is a wonderful poet and photographer. Her inspirational words and imagery convinced me the digital community was about an inner journey of self-discovery on a personal spiritual journey.

A second blogger I appreciate is Mike at Mike’s Look at Life. Mike is a wonderful photographer who occasionally shares poetry. His photography is a journey of the daily life and its past. He reveals the extraordinary in the ordinary; those parts of daily life I often drove by.

I appreciate is Yaz at Free Your Mind. She leaves many uplifting comments about my posts and shares the need to find one’s truth in both the good fortune and tragedy. She reaffirms a need to search and find community in her posts and frequent comments.

I appreciate Carolyn’s posts on ABC of Spirit Talk and frequent journeys to my blog. She reminded me in her words that living my life as my life, rather than someone else’s life, is essential. Her ballroom dancing and her gently worded reflections speak volumes about her spirit.

I appreciate Mimi at Waiting for the Karma Truck. She shares poetry, a love of music, and life experiences. Mimi responds to, as best as I can determine, every comment on her blog. She demonstrated blogs are a place of genuine conversation.

I appreciate David at Lead.Learn.Live. We share some key ingredients-ice hockey is just a place to begin. David shares humour, quotes, and enthusiasm for life. My favourite posts are those at 4:00 AM when David is viewing the world more optimistically lens than I do.

To fully take part in the Līgo Circle of Appreciation:
~
* Complete this sentence about blogging: ”A great blog is…”
* Refer back to the blogger who invited you
* Invite 2 bloggers to join the Līgo Circle of Appreciation on a post

8 Comments

Posted in Awards, Blogging, Community, Writing and tagged awards, blogging, community, creativity, teacher as transformer, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Life Arrives

Posted on October 18, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I read comments today in response to yesterday’s post, Transformation, and found words emerging. They remind me of the unnecessary chase. I only need patience and life arrives in each moment, fully revealed in its extraordinary nature. Life is not a race or hunting trip in which I seek the biggest prize.

When I seek

When I chase

Am active

I fail.

Patience

When I sit

I need not seek

Life discovers me.

Found

I wait

Life arrives

I only need sit.