Chrysalis
The man pictured with me above is a man I have come to know this year and a person I now count as a warm and dear friend, Jim Paredes conducts courses in different parts of the world called TCU - Tapping the Creative Universe. I have not yet participated in one of his courses, but have loved the title of them nonetheless since I first heard about them. I have pondered much on courses of late and the concept of self-improvement. I have been involved in many courses both work related and personal that are designed to allow you / me or us to reach within and become the person we only dream of becoming.
I marvel at people like Anthony Robbins who has identified a niche human need and exploits it. I believe that the strength of Anthony Robbins lies in the fact that he doesn't so much teach us anything new, but creatively gets you to think about what you already know in a different way. A skilful ability I submit. I was also involved in a course once called the Landmark forum. Introduced to it from a friend that ostensibly said, there's this course I would like you to do, though I know you don't really need it! But I think it will enhance what you already have. I went to the course with aroused curiosity. It was then $500 and went for 3 full days. From 9am till almost midnight on each of the 3 days. It was an intense confrontation into self-evaluation and in trying to understand the things, people, objects that prevent us from being our true selves. The room had 250 people and in those three days allowed us all to feel "safe" to say whatever we felt or to act or be whatever we wanted. In a very real sense we became a family of sorts for those three days.
For me, the strength of the course was encapsulated within two single moments that lasted just a few minutes each. Firstly we were shown a white wall, and told that no matter what has happened in your life, no matter who has upset you, no matter what event, people or place has caused you to have anger, regret, feelings of hurt or shame, doubt or whatever, - this is now your life. Paint this wall from this moment on to reflect the beauty, the wonder and happiness you want from this point on. WOW, for me that was a powerful moment. I had issues about being adopted, I had issues about my Dad dying when I was 14 and leaving us to be raised by a widowed pensioner, I had issues about lots of things, but saw the wisdom and the powerful realisation that I could leave all the reasons behind and now live. Live without limits, other than those I imposed on myself, live without fear, and live without blame or regret and I am endeavouring to do just that. My canvas is taking shape. I admit that I am a late bloomer, but the point for me is that I am blooming at all, irrespective of timing. Life is for living to the fullest I can. After all I am not in competition with anyone.
The second and last aspect of the Landmark forum I learned was an exercise they leave til the very last moment when after the 3 days of intense self discovery, a person is selected from the group and shown two metaphorical ice creams one chocolate, one vanilla and asked: Chocolate, Vanilla, choose! The strength of this exercise lies within the response. I am sorry if I ruin this for others but in expressing this, it is a salient point to share something that allowed me to grow. Whatever you choose, it needs not be justified or explained. The strength of your answer is in saying I choose.... whatever, because that is what I choose. Not, I choose whatever because I like ....chocolate and then seeking to justify why you like chocolate or vanilla or whatever.
Live powerfully, set your own benchmarks, set your goals, and become the person you most want to be. I am on a journey to find my dreams and realise my potential, I am slowly getting there. I see the chrysalis within me, and I will work, fight and struggle to allow that metamorphosis to occur for me. Thank you to all my friends and family and photographic clients who help me to realise my potential and live out the true meaning of what I want my life to be. I am whole today.
Comments
I can already see you how you are painting your canvas of life with beautiful strokes of kindness and your generosity of spirit. There are bright sprays of your optimistic thoughts, positive energy and zest for life. I also see the very vivid colours on your wall from the passion in what you do, reigniting my own desire to do in life what I truly enjoy and am good at, inspiring me to choose to love what “you do in life because it sure beats a job that just pays the bills”. You have this gift of recognising the inner champion in others and helping them to see it and believing it themselves. I’ve seen it for myself how your empathy for others and compassion contributes to your own happiness. For this, and so much more, I want to add big splashes of Gratitude paint all over your canvas.
I sincerely wish that your final Masterpiece will include dazzling strokes of successful achievement of all your life’s goals…in your work and most of all, in your personal life – to love and be loved.
And then voila – the butterfly that will finally emerge will have the most beautiful wings to fly!
From your not-so-secret admirer
your kind words both humble and inspire me. I truly do want the people I know and care about to reach their potential, especially you. I know and have "seen" in my minds eye, you having one of the most successful businesses around. When others I know achieve and succeed, it gives me lift beneath my wings as well. No matter what dear lady, remember the words of Winston Churchill to his former school when asked to address the assembled group of young impressionable boys, he said simply; "Never, Never, ever give up!"
I hope I can have that canvas reflect the beauty I see and feel and want in my life, I thank you immensely for your big splashes of gratitude paint.
Thank you for stopping by and reading my posts and making a contribution, it means much to me.
“I had issues about my Dad dying when I was 14 and leaving us to be raised by a widowed pensioner.”
I am so sorry to hear that you had such trauma and sadness in your younger life Craig. It is wonderful that the ‘Landmark Forum’ gave you the outlet to face some of your issues with this life-defining event.
Who was the ‘widowed pensioner’ who raised you?
The tone of this particular sentence gives the impression of a distant or detatched relative. Are you related to the lady (assuming gender from the term widowed)?
You don’t use the term ‘Mother’ or ‘Mum.’ Nor do you use any affectionate term to describe the person.
Whoever she was, it was an impressive gesture for her to raise you. It would seem she did it on her own too (re: widowed).
In the original sentence you say “leaving us to be raised”. I am assuming that she raised more than one of you, on her own. A lonely and difficult task indeed. If you feel so inclined, I would love to hear more about this lady.
Interesting observation, My Mother is a lady called Grace who adopted me from my birth mother called Vera. But that is to be written in more detail in one of the other chapters in my bio which is to follow at a later time.
Thanks
“I had issues about my Dad dying when I was 14”
It certainly is a young and vulnerable age to have lost your Dad, Craig.
Were there male role models to help you along the way?
(Violin to Tuba)
“My Mother is a lady called Grace who adopted me from my birth mother called Vera. But that is to be written in more detail in one of the other chapters in my bio which is to follow at a later time.”
That is something to look forward to Craig.
‘Grace’ must be a very special human being. As I mentioned in my above post, it must have been a lonely and difficult task for her.
(Violin to Tuba)
There were role models along the way. I had a good friend who taught me how to drive, his name was Rohn. My brother in law tried once as well, then there was a friend called Glenn, who took me for a drive when my Dad died and drove me around for about 30 minutes not actually saying much except before he dropped me off added, I loved your Dad, I thought he was a great man. Here are two tickets take your girlfriend out to a movie premiere and try to resist getting her in the sack! and added, almost as an after thought, if you ever need anything, just let me know.
There weren't many, but their influence and impression on my life will live with me forever.
Mum Grace is a lovely lady. We have dropped out of sorts in a measure over the last few years, more my error than hers, but I felt I lost a friend over an incident I will not discuss in this forum. We are still very cordial though, and I love her.
...it is as it should be. Some things should not be aired out in public, it would be a breech in your apparent integrity to do so.
Your respect for Grace is evident in your desire to protect her from public scrutiny regarding the incident you mention.
V2T