Thursday, June 14, 2007

Explorers, Each of Us


"The Web" (C) 2007 Intuital Images

In the mid 1400’s, explorers set sail in a state-of-the-art sailing ship, to find a new land. They came to an island paradise and decided to go ashore. A landing party was chosen and the men boarded the rowboats and began to paddle to the golden sandy beach. They looked back and saw their majestic ship, in all its glory, bobbing on the horizon. It was a beautiful sight to see the white sails silhouetted against the blue sky. Looking forward, they were heartened to see the villagers gathering to greet them. As they ran their boats aground, the Chief approached them with arms open wide in welcome. Though they did not know the language yet, they readily understood these beautiful and simple people.


The inhabitants circled around the rowboats and seemed to make a great fuss about them. Others were milling about, chatting with each other, as their kids played in the sand. The landing party was invited to dinner and preparations were made. There was something strange, though. Not one of the folks they’d encountered had said anything at all about the great ship on the horizon.


During supper, the village medicine man came to join the happy group. As he approached the beach, he noticed something different about the ocean. He saw faint, peculiar ripples in the distance. He wondered what was causing them, as he sat down to eat with his family and friends.

Every day, this Shaman came to the beach and gazed at the ripples. Over the following weeks, things began to come clearer, until, eventually, he saw a great boat on the horizon, such as he had never seen before. He called to his people and pointed it out to them.


Over the next few days, each in their own time, all were able to see it. They didn’t know why they hadn’t noticed it before. The answer, of course, is they didn’t have a frame of reference in their consciousness and so they could not see.


I’m here to tell you, there is a great ship on the horizon such as you have never seen before. It is full of all your hopes and dreams, wishes and visions for your future. All you have to do is imagine and believe that it is so. Adjust your sight a little. Shift your thinking somewhat. Use courage to walk through the fear that is holding you back. Do the next right thing. Take the next step forward. Take your place in the world. Shine your light. Live your life. You’ll never regret it taking a chance on yourself.


This is what coaching is all about. Helping people to see what is on their horizon. Delineating a path with them. Taking my machete and cutting through the superfluous to get to the heart of the matter so that they can achieve their goals.


‘What do you really want?’ I ask. ‘Okay, just know that it is already yours. Now, let’s go get it.’


Then the journey begins.

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