June 2015: Endings and Beginnings

Reflections: Endings and Beginnings An interesting time for me: The ending of almost six years as a member of the Outset Cornwall team on 31 May. Six years of delivering intensive business start-up support through training sessions with groups and one-to-one coaching with individuals. Six years of travelling up and down the highways and byways of  Cornwall (and occasionally flying over to the Isles of Scilly). Six years of setting off in all weathers, all conditions; being ready to stand up in front of a group and not only deliver training material professionally and to time, but also deal with whatever people had brought with them. Throughout this time I have worked with wonderful colleagues and hundreds of amazing people. Many have gone on to create successful businesses - in whatever measure of success was right for them. Some have companies employing staff; others work a few hours a week in something that is truly their own. Others decided that being self-employed was not for them; or not right now; or not with the current idea. This too was a big success of Outset Cornwall - helping people clearly see what they might be entering into; evaluate the risks as best they could with the information available; and learn skills useful throughout their lives. For me, I think one of the biggest successes was the camaraderie of the groups and how many people keep in touch, some have making lasting friendships as well as business allies. So that is what has ended, at least for now - news is still awaited of the outcome of the award of new contracts for similar work. If nothing else, Outset Cornwall demonstrated the need for this support and the value of giving support to people in a way that energises and inspires. The legacy lives on in the form of an on-line programme so have a look at the link above if that interests you. Beginnings: yes, what is beginning now? At present I feel in limbo, which is exactly where I need to be. The last few months especially have been draining, both emotionally and physically as we all strove to maintain a fully professional service whilst knowing that things were ending and we would soon be packing everything up and saying goodbye. The first beginning for me is a time of rest, self-care, and play. And what better place to be than Cornwall in June? To follow on when the time is right I have lots of plans and ideas: a new book; workshops; flexible time to offer one-to-one Dare to Blossom Rediscovery sessions in person, on the phone or on Skype. Part of this involves website redesign and rationalisation. When I started looking at this a few weeks ago I realised how confused the message I was sending had become. Simply through trying to do too much in too little time, spread myself too thinly. So I am looking forward to a chance to focus in on what people want and how the Dare to Blossom activities can supply this support. In other words to follow some of the processes I have been encouraging others to work through over the past years. Looking for a photograph to illustrate this piece - I found one taken on my early morning walk in the Kensington Gardens part of Hyde Park when I was there recently. This dramatic and elegant statue represents Isis, the Egyptian goddess of nature - more details here. The feeling I receive from the image is of peaceful repose combined with an underlying strength and readiness to act when the time is right. Endings and beginnings happen all the time, in our lives, and in the natural world all around us. Reflected in the breath: each inhale is a new beginning, the end of each exhale an end. Marking those that feel significant feels right for me: honouring what has ended, and moving on to the new to come.  For you: to reflect on in your meditation practice or journal: - What is ending for you just now? - Are they routine endings? Or something you would like to take time to honour and celebrate before moving on? - Which parts do you wish to keep with you for the new beginnings? - and which parts will you say goodbye to and choose to leave behind? - Now, turning to face the new beginnings: which way will you go? Do you need time to rest and revive before making this choice? It might be good to explore in art or collage as well as words - techniques I intend to play with myself over the next weeks and months. As always, please feel free to comment below with your thoughts and comments.  If you would like to own a set of cards to explore their power for yourself please visit the dedicated page. Thank you dear friends for visiting with me again this month and sharing my musings. Until next time, with love, Mary * find 'Dare to Blossom Life Coaching' on Facebook.