A Quiet Corner
Hoping to never be deleted before bringing you a smile.
Welcome to A Quiet Corner
I was humbled this week with a few inquiries about my newsletter and my regular blogs. The truth is, there is so much noise, so much busy-ness in our lives these days that if your frequency is heard, even by a few, you know you have made an impact. It almost seems like an unreachable part inside your heart stirs with joy when you know, you are told, that you are being missed. It certainly felt that way to me. Gratitude!
I confess, though! I have no good excuse. I fell off the wagon of time management and got caught in the winding roads of the year end tasks and didn't spend enough time writing.
I tried!
One December day I sat inside Antico Coffee to write my year end note. A "Gap" family of four totally grabbed whatever was left of my attention considering the surroundings. Beautiful young couple, attending to a busy 5 year old girl and a very active 2 year old boy. Did I mention how well dressed and beautiful they all were? As I was flipping through a magazine made up of their images in my mind, I noticed something strange about the mother. Her movements were stiff and rather restricted. She had a hard time managing the little boy. Something was off. My face started burning. " She must have muscle atrophy." I noticed a sorrowful look in her eyes every time she turned to her kids. My heart couldn't handle the pain. Was she wondering if she will be with them next Christmas? I know not. But I do know she made me think of it.
There's no guarantee we will be here for each other next Christmas, not even tomorrow. So, why hold back? Why not express our love and care more openly? Why not appreciate every little act of kindness? Why not be present? After all isn't PRESENCE the most precious gift we can give ourselves, others and the world?
To a fully present 2019!
Love
Afsaneh
Enneagram Series I : Why Enneagram
I am asked repeatedly, why Enneagram? What differentiates Enneagram from other personality type tests?
My short answer is that because it works! To dive into a more serious answer let me ask you a few questions:
Think about the last personality type test that you completed. What did you learn from it? How were you able to change your life based on the results? How did it affect your work? your relationships? What one thing were you able to improve?
One of the aspects of Enneagram I fell in love with is that Enneagram does not simply label you or trap you into a personality type. Enneagram helps you find the personality type you were born with. Shows you the path of growth for your type as well as where your type moves to, under stress. Enneagram is the journey to wisdom.
The pitfall is that, nothing happens without engaging with the work. Nothing happens just by reading a book. Knowledge is one thing. Applying that knowledge into every breath is the work of a real enneagram student. Finding presence, finding compassion for oneself and others, finding how to grow above the ego patterns that run our responses. Enneagram is an invitation to get your feet wet.
Imagine if you
- wouldn’t get taken over by rage
- could engage with life fully
- weren’t so criticizing & dissatisfied with everyone
- wouldn’t deny your need for help
- could relieve yourself from vanity and be the authentic human being you want to be
- didn’t let envy lead your decisions
- wouldn’t withhold yourself from the world
- weren’t paralyzed by fear and doubt
- could be content in the moment, content with what “is” and what you have.
Imagine if Fear, Anger and Shame were not your demons.
Enneagram is truly journey of self discovery for the early adopters that are curious enough to make a change.
Where are you in your journey?
Books, Poems et al
Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert
Happiness by Jane Konyan
There’s just no accounting for happiness,
or the way it turns up like a prodigal
who comes back to the dust at your feet
having squandered a fortune far away.
And how can you not forgive?
You make a feast in honor of what
was lost, and take from its place the finest
garment, which you saved for an occasion
you could not imagine, and you weep night and day
to know that you were not abandoned,
that happiness saved its most extreme form
for you alone.
In Loving Memory of Mary Oliver
In case you haven't heard Mary Oliver read her poetry check out
Krista Tippet with her amazing work was one of the few people honored to interview her.
Self Observation
This week in one of my Enneagram Workshops we discussedType 5 & Type 6, two of the three head center types. The mind clutter and noise for The Head Types can be debilitating. How about developing a self Observation around mind clutter?
Pause 3-4 times a day. Take three deep breaths and connect to your heart, mind and body. Observe, without judgement;
- In the past few hours how much did I just stay in my mind?
- How much noise am I allowing in my mind?
- How did the mind clutter affect my communications, my happiness, my presence?
- What can I do differently?
Remember, curiosity and presence make self observation possible and without self observation , transformation is impossible.
Yours
Afsaneh
Need help developing a self observation practice? Feel free to contact me.
Flowers and Patterns
Enjoy!
PS: I will be having a Spring plant sale! Stay tuned!
Japanese Quince
Camellia
Amaryllises
I love them since they are not picky and they don't seize to amaze me with their beautiful, mostly red, color. A lovely Christmas gift that lasts more than an object!
Read moreA few Testimonials
Upcoming Workshops & Events
- Change Management : Building resilience at work and at home
- HALO: A Group Coaching Circle
- Discover yourself through Art: An introduction to Zentangle
- Discover your Personality Type: An Enneagram Discussion
- Not a Yoga class: Poses, Posture and their effect on personal development
- CLC: Coaching a La Carte, 90 minute coaching sessions
- Discover your Story to leave your Legacy ( details coming up soon)
For more information on the workshops visit Calendar Or email me at aabree@cornerstonestrategies.net
Nana Grants
Georgia alone %40 of kids are raised in single parent homes. Education for the parents becomes really crucial in saving their generation from poverty. Most of these single parents have to drop out and are not able to take advantage of scholarships because they can't afford childcare. You can read more.
I am genuinely passionate about this cause and hope that you consider supporting single Nana Grant. You can make a difference in a generation! https://www.flipcause.com/secure/fundraiser/MzE5OTc=/15704
Book your free 30 minute call
Still curious?
Email: aabree@cornerstonestrategies.net
Website: www.cornerstonestrategies.net
Location: 1425 Market Boulevard, Ste 530-202, Roswell, GA, United States
Phone: 6785779517
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CornerstoneStrategies/
Twitter: @AfsanehAbree