Personal Renewal and Growth
Written by Susan Burns
“Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.”
Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519)
How do you replenish and nurture your mind? Keeping a fresh and open perspective on each aspect of our life is an important part of living fully. The contributions we’re able to make in every aspect of our lives – personally and professionally, come from our own ability to see and seek opportunities in tune with who we are and embrace the future. During times of intense change and uncertainty – whether invited or uninvited, its especially important. It’s easy to become fully absorbed in what’s immediately around us and to quickly lose perspective on what’s truly important, especially in business. This has become an even greater truth as the work we do increasingly demands us to be agile, adoptive, creative thinkers. Being able to broaden our own perspective, engage others in our vision and re-imagine the possibilities and “what if” of tomorrow to enable creativity and innovation is what nurtures our own growth and our own sustainability. Imagine life in da Vinci’s time and how much more complex life is today! Yes, its all relative, to a degree, but the future will increasingly demand more of us and more of our minds. How we embrace this challenge will be indicative of what we accomplish as individuals and what we accomplish collectively within organizations to connect with, engage and enable talent to carve a path to the future.
Finding the time and a passion that nourishes each of us is very individual. I’ve found that balancing physical intensity, through yoga and hiking, with the natural beauty of the places I travel to enjoy these passions has been a rewarding combination. When we give our selves the time to slow down and absorb what is around us its amazing how the mind opens and how we can begin to see things through a new lens. While I do think its not only possible but important to do this daily, its through these times of extended “journey” that enables us to incorporate it into each day more effectively and practice active awareness. Tomorrow I head to Sayulita, Mexico, for a yoga teacher training retreat. The yoga will be challenging, power vinyassa style, and together with the surrounding beauty of the hillside retreat on the Pacific Coast I’ll once again find the nurturing balance of physical intensity and natural beauty. Regardless of your passion and the time that may be available to you, find opportunities to replenish and nurture your mind. There are options around us every day if we’re open to recognizing them.
If your interested in learning more about Power Vinyassa Yoga – here’s a few people you may find of interest. Each of them also offers retreats throughout the year.
Rolf Gates – one of my teachers and author of a fabulous book – Meditations From the Mat
Baron Baptiste – creator and founder of Baptiste Power Vinyassa Yoga
Lisa Black – master Baptiste instructor and founder Shakti Yoga Studio
D’ana Baptiste – co-founder of Baptiste Power Vinyassa Yoga and teaches other styles as well
Pingback by Talent Synchronicity » Reflections from Retreat
Made Thursday, 5 of February , 2009 at 8:18 pm
[...] you’ve read my last post or follow me on Twitter then you know I’ve been on Retreat in Mexico. Before I dive back into [...]
