ZEST
October - 2010
Dear Friend,
There is still space in the workshop for women I am facilitating in Western Massachusetts on November 13th: Creating a Path with Purpose for Women. Find out more at http://actiononpurpose.com.
Welcome to October, my very favorite month of the year! There is a wildness in the breeze, and a shifting of colors in nature, that ignites a feeling of zest in me. Look for ways to enjoy more zest in life by reading this month’s article.
The purpose of this newsletter is to share with you simple and effective tools for personal, spiritual and professional growth. I have used these tools in my own life, so I know their power as well as their challenges. I have also utilized them in more than thirty years of professional work with others as a life coach, educator and psychotherapist. I offer them to you to try, adapt, and practice as methods to nurture your own growth.
Please send this issue to any friends who might be interested. Also, I would welcome your thoughts or comments on this newsletter. Have a great month!
Warmly,
Natalie
P.S. Interested in some support in clarifying your purpose or taking action on your purpose? Contact me for a complimentary coaching call to explore whether coaching could help you reach your goals!
“What hunger is in relation to food,
zest is in relation to life.”
~ Bertrand Russell
What gives your life a unique flavor, a burst of energy, a renewed excitement? What is the spice of your life?
Zest through the Senses
The subtle chill of an autumn breeze, or the sight of sunshine breaking through a rain-drenched forest, often brings me a sense of renewed energy. Perhaps it is the awareness of change through my skin or vision that produces these moments of zest.
Our senses of taste and smell are often the conduits of zest through enjoyment of food. Indeed, a particular flavor that surprises us and enhances our enjoyment while eating is the art of fine cuisine. So I suggest an element of surprise or spontaneity is part of the experience of zest.
Sounds may also bring zest to our step – through the music we are energized by. Of course, we each may respond to a different tune or set of sounds.
Zest in Relationships
Jean Baker Miller, a leader in the field of feminist psychology, taught about zest as one of the five positive outcomes of healthy relationships. The energy that a “good connection” with another person releases is tough to describe, but certainly felt. We might exclaim, “We really clicked!” What Miller has helped to define in her work is that a relationship that fosters growth and zest is one of mutual empathy, understanding, and respect. We both feel seen and heard by the other in a significant way, while also experiencing that we have an impact on them. Cognitively, we “get” each other. Emotionally, we “feel with” the other person.
In the other extreme, a sense of isolation from others leads us to lose energy, confidence, and leaves us more vulnerable to depression. Though it can be difficult for someone experiencing depression to get out and be around others, no action can be more critical. This doesn’t automatically lead to good connections, but without some opportunity for interaction, there is little room for experiencing the zest of relationships. A shared smile over watching a puppy greet a toddler can spark a feeling of zest, that in turn encourages one to seek more connection…and healing begins.
Cultivating Zest
Zest is by nature a fleeting experience. It is not something to grasp at, nor to hold onto. Rather, zest is something we can invite into our lives. It is like leaving a window open so that a fresh breeze, or a fairy, or even Peter Pan can pop in unannounced. Often, it requires us to do something new, out of the routine, to invite this fleeting experience we call zest.
Zest is kindled by connection – a mutual exchange of understanding with another person, a communing with nature, a discovery made through engagement with some creative activity, a sense of accomplishment as a difficult task gets completed.
Finally, zest is experienced in the present moment. A heightened awareness of the present experience is a condition of zest. It might be an element of surprise, a sensual delight, or the energy of engaged connection that brings our attention to the present experience. Bringing our awareness to rest in the present is also an invitation for discovery and zest.
What gives your life a unique flavor, a burst of energy, a renewed excitement? What kinds of things spice up your life?
~ Action On Purpose Challenge ~
Review your experience for times and ways that zest has burst into your awareness.
Nurture these kinds of activities or connections to invite zest to visit often.
“True happiness comes from
the joy of deeds well done,
the zest of creating things new.”
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
~ In the News ~
For Women: Creating a Path With Purpose – I will be facilitating this day-long workshop in Leverett, Massachusetts on November 13th. Click here for more information.
Next Steps - Want to get going on a plan for the kind of life you want to lead in the future? Contact me for a complimentary coaching call to explore whether coaching could help you reach your goals! Natalie@EldridgeWorks.com For a great list of readings and resources, go to http://www.lifeplanningnetwork.org/index.cfm?action=main.resources
Care to Comment? Have a comment about Natalie's coaching, facilitating, speaking or writings? If so, please send them to Testimonials@EldridgeWorks.com. We gratefully welcome your comments.
At www.EldridgeWorks.com, my virtual professional home, you will find information about coaching and psychotherapy services, as well as more about me. I would love to hear from you about the website, or the Action on Purpose newsletter. Contact me at Natalie@EldridgeWorks.com.
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