Sea Stars R Us
“The only thing constant in life is change.” Francois de la Rochefoucauld
Change has been on my mind. I celebrated my birthday last week and spent some time in the run-up taking stock of the old year and thinking about what changes I want to make in my new year to make it as meaningful and rewarding as possible.
Like many people I know (and coach), I can be pretty resistant to change, even when I have chosen it, and even in the sure knowledge that change is necessary for growth to take place. For some time now I have been inspired by starfish and have used them as a symbol of resilience and flexibility. One of the things I love most about them is their ability to adapt to change and to regenerate bits of themselves; when they lose an arm they are able to grow a new one in its place.
I was reading about them in a pre-change orgy of inspiration last week, and came across this snippet on the National Geographic site:
“Marine scientists have undertaken the difficult task of replacing the beloved starfish’s common name with sea star because, well, the starfish is not a fish.”
In order for the new, more accurate name of these intriguing echinoderms to take hold, their old name – the old way we have identified with them- has to change.
I don’t know about you, but I love the term ‘sea star’. I think it is beautiful and evocative and is a far superior description of those creatures that I find so fascinating and so inspiring. It may take some time for me to get used to not referring to them as starfish, but the image of a sea star is so perfectly stellar to me that it is something I am happy to work at.
Often we are pleased about a new venture, but sometimes it is hard; even when we choose the new beginning we still have to take our leave of something. If you are in the midst of any changes – for better or worse – I encourage you to take some time to end off the old before starting the new.
I am in the process of updating my website – it should be finalised in the next month or two. While I am very excited about the new product, I am also very mindful that it means saying goodbye to my current (soon to be old) one.
I know that once the new design is up and running I will hardly give a second thought to the old one, but in the meantime I am needing to take some time to get used to the change and the loss – however slight and silly it may seem.
One thing is certain, though; there will be sea stars in the new version too! Look out for it – and please let me know what you think of the changes.
This month I have two new coaching beginnings to share with you:
Adult Child Life Lessons Workshop Sunday 5 June. If you are an adult child (aren't we all?) or know an adult child, this workshop will help you to better understand the limiting beliefs and behaviours that get in the way of a happy, stress-free and actualised life. The workshop will be very interactive, very practical and participants will leave with a set of tools and skills that they can use to coach themselves into more proactive, empowered and happy futures. It will combine information, self-reflection and discussion and will be in an intimate and safe environment.
The cost is R 1 500 per person (bring a friend, partner or family member and you each pay R 1 200) and includes all materials and meals, and a copy of my book.
There are only 2 places still available so book quickly.
8 Week Adult Child Life Lessons group teleclasses.
Eight Consecutive Tuesdays at 7:30pm (10:30am PT). Starts July and again in September. Email me for more information.
I hope that June brings you all the changes and new beginnings that you choose for yourself.
Love Judy