Let’s talk about the time in between.
William Bridges refers to it as “the neutral zone.” But it’s more like putting a car in Neutral than something we feel neutral about.
Futurist Marilyn Ferguson has referred to this time as like being “between trapezes,” with nothing to hold onto. Emotionally, that seems about right. I’ve written about it before, as the “hell of the hallway.” We’re in suspended animation for a time. But how long?
Continue reading “In Between”It’s the tail end of summer where I live. Last week, I was on a quick road trip in the US, where school starts a bit earlier than in most parts of Canada. We saw lots of families eating breakfast in our hotels who were clearly travelling to drop almost-grown kids off at college — jam packed minivans, stressed students and sad parents trying to hold it together, and occasionally younger siblings watching with a mix of envy and eye rolling.
Continue reading “A Season of Bird Launching “Who’s with me in missing the Olympics?
I love watching them and give myself permission to become fully addicted while the games are happening.
One highlight for me this time was the commentary that accompanied Canada’s gold medal run in the men’s 4×100-metre relay. Each of those four runners had failed to make the final in their individual event(s). None of them individually is the fastest at that distance. But together, they won gold. Why? Because they practice as a team, they emphasize smooth handoffs, and they treat each other like brothers. The result? A relay result collectively greater than the sum of the individual sprints that comprise it.
Continue reading “Greater than the sum of the parts”In my roles as a facilitator or team coach, I am frequently structuring group conversations to help people reach consensus. But lately, I’m noticing how often I am in settings where people are working independently alongside each other instead. Alone together.
Continue reading “Parallel Play”Are you in a tough situation or season right now? Lots of people I know are, as they navigate job disappointments, caregiving responsibilities, health challenges, relationship changes, financial pressures…it’s a lot.
And it has me thinking about the importance of balancing agency with acceptance.
Continue reading “Agency and Acceptance”
