I know that it has become a standard thing to say but WOW, what a week.
Action for Happiness Course AWESOME
FUNdaMENTAL Coaching AMAZING
Therapycise WICKED
Psychology Masters assignments SMASHED
Family GREAT
The list could go on, but it really has been full-on and intense and for all the right reasons. How has your last week been? What has gone AWESOMELY well? How many things have been AMAZING? Has anything been truly WICKED? What have you absolutely SMASHED this week? And finally, what has just been GREAT?
It’s important to reflect in a positive way but also a constructive way. Its all about the lens you see the world through. It’s not about pretending that there is a different reality, it’s about creating a different reality. Stephen Covey (author of 7 habits of highly effective people) says it best when he states: “We see the world, not as it is, but as we are──or, as we are conditioned to see it.”
Another famous example would be: “A goal gives you the right lens to see the future with a much clearer vision” and to be honest I don’t think anyone has actually claimed that one so that’s mine. You heard it here first.
So, onto this week’s content for you in the 162nd instalment of Every step counts. Last week in our ACTION FOR HAPPINESS debrief, we covered treating others and how we could contribute to a more compassionate society.
This week I want to talk to you about what makes great relationships. As always, the course was fantastic, discussions were had, and knowledge was consumed. We specifically learned about EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.
Emotional Intelligence refers to our skills in awareness and management of our emotions. For many years, intelligence and IQ were seen as the most important factor in determining success in life and work.
Now though, it has been recognised that how we handle our emotions and how we relate to others has a huge impact on it too.
Nat King Cole once said: “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”
We also covered an amazing talk by Brene Brown who talked about connection. She said “Connection is why we’re here. It’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” I have talked about this before many times, but I am going to ask you again, what is your purpose? What do you want in life? What are your powers? How do you want to be defined?
In her talk, she mentioned that the ability to feel connected is vital to human wellbeing. The people who can live full and wholehearted lives are willing to be vulnerable and let others see them how they are. You see, what I learnt from the session was that we numb ourselves from vulnerability, this also numbs our ability to experience joy, gratitude and happiness. Maya Angelou said it perfectly when she said:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Now onto this weeks exciting local opportunity for you all.
Over the last few weeks, we have covered a 100-day fitness challenge with Heidi, the Wokingham Wellbeing Conference with WIWAG, the opening of another amazing boxing club in Birch Hill, the truly awesome facility in Arborfield called ROCFitness and this week I will be sharing a fantastic person and business that focuses on Mindfulness.
I met Steph a few weeks ago at a course we are doing together and hearing her talk about Mindfulness, you could just tell she had a passion and love for it. I caught up with out of the course and asked her about her business and what she does, so keep reading if Mindfulness is something you could be wanting to know more about.
Steph Gilbert is the founder of Be Here Now based locally. Their website link is www.beherenowmindfulness.co.uk and, like I said earlier, she specialises in mindfulness for businesses and individuals.
I asked Steph what she personally felt about the benefits of Mindfulness. She said: “Mindfulness has endless benefits with increases in productivity, focus, clarity, resilience, creativity, efficiency, communication, compassion, job satisfaction, teamwork, better decision making, stronger teams and leaders, engagement, resilience and much more. However perhaps the most important are happiness and the only true freedom we can have.”
Be Here Now offers group and individual sessions which are face to face and calls. Each programme and session is tailor-made to fit the company or individual.
For example, with individuals, sessions can be based on whatever the person would like, for example how to change habits with no effort through mindfulness, how to get better sleep, how to be more productive, how to better relate to others, how to find more meaning in life and this is why the area has caught my eye.
I personally conduct mindfulness work on my own and with my partner. We love it, we really do. I try and do it every day as I feel repetition is key but there are so many ways to approach it, it’s all about YOU. I would recommend going to speak to someone as passionate and knowledgeable as Steph if you want to take it further.
One thing that stuck out to me was when Steph said, “Mindfulness really solves everything!”
I admire her love for Mindfulness, it’s awesome to see, probably why we get on as I love what I do too. If you are interested to hear more or would like to chat about having a free introductory session then please contact Steph on [email protected] and I’m sure you won’t regret it.
To leave you with a few quotes from the awesome Jon Kabat-Zinn (who I’m sure Steph would know more about than me), please read below:
“Mindfulness means being awake. It means knowing what you are doing.”
“The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.”
“The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness.”
Have an awesome Sunday, have a fantastic few days and we’ll catch up next week, stay awesome.
Chris Hunt is the Head Mind, Body and Life Coach at The FUNdaMENTAL Coach based out of The Hub, Molly Millars Lane, Wokingham
