Holiday Projections

Memories.... nostalgia... regrets and gratitude.  It's that time of year when anticipation, excitement, and emotions mix and collide.  What-Was, What-Is, and What-Is-Hoped-For flow from mind to heart inviting us to reflect and project:

Reflect inwardly on what has been, and

Project outwardly the needs and desires of ourselves and others.

What do you project outwardly?
(Photo: Museum of Us, Balboa Park,
San Diego - Larry Gardepie)

As in most cities and towns, ours is decorated in holiday finery and music wafts through the air no matter where we go.  Neighborhoods are brightened by twinkly lights and cartoonish characters.

This season seems different than others throughout the year: light overcomes darkness; giving conquers miserliness; hope can defeat despair.

How do you light up your world?
(Photo: Christmas Lights, San Diego - Larry Gardepie)

But, even with all of the love and cheer, there is still loneliness, bitterness, and disappointment.  There are people struggling and still looking for a room to lay down their head.  

Remember, this is a season of anticipation, excitement, and emotions-mixing-and-colliding.

Our assignment -- if we choose -- is to:

• Notice what is happening around us;
• Ask questions based on our awareness; and,
  
• Listen to understand.
  

Can you accurately reflect what is seen?
(Photo: Seaport Village, San Diego - Larry Gardepie)

Listening provides insights and tools to reflect inwardly and project outwardly another person's needs and desires while aligning them with our own.

 

If you haven't looked at Eastern Idaho News' "Secret Santa" videos on YouTube (click here), there may be ways that we can help others... not to change how they feel, but to say that we see, hear, and care.

 

Let us reflect inwardly on what has been and project outwardly what is... or could be... if we but listen and understand.  It is that time of year!

 

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

Stories Rebuilt

Some people are born Storytellers:  they know how to hold an audience with their words, expressions, and energy; they artfully weave together drama and humor; they listen and recount experiences that are relatable.  Timing is a part of their gift... when and how to unite us around Our Story.

An international audience witnessed the opening of Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral last week -- a centuries-old story of faith, triumph, destruction, and rebirth.

What story do you tell about yourself?
(Photo:  Notre Dame Cathedral facade, Paris, France - Larry Gardepie)

It was inspiring to see how the carpenters, painters, and artisans brought new life into the heart of Parish after the devastating fire of 2019.  The national pride and international celebration melted -- for a moment -- divisions that had separated us through religion, culture, and politics.

It was a blending of old and new: respecting the past by honoring earlier craftsmanship; infusing current methods to protect and strengthen; laying the groundwork to continue telling the faith story of Notre Dame.

What face do you put on your life's story?
(Photo:  Notre Dame Cathedral, July 2006 - Larry Gardepie)

Having been to Paris several years ago, I was able to understand the significance of this cathedral's place in French history.  Now, the world was being invited into this nation's story... uniting under a human story of hopes, dreams, and overcoming tragedy.

I wonder if this rebirth is about ourselves as well:  letting light through the windows of our eyes and mind to soften our hearts?

How is your life colored by the beauty of other people?
(Photo:  Rose Window, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris - Larry Gardepie)

As we practice how to dialogue and listen to one another, maybe we are invited to:

• Respect or honor the past;
  
• Allow current ways to change and strengthen us; and,
  
• Lay the groundwork to bring us together.

The story being told right now is one of division and separation.  Are you being called to be a Storyteller that unites and encourages?

Think about it... and begin the rebirth in you.

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

Wait Patiently... and Observe!

Life changes... by the minute!  I was reminded of this recently when watching a sunset while at sea.  The day had been exceptionally cloudy, and we wondered what the sunset would be like that evening.

At first there was a dull red glow on the horizon... fuzzy but still ball shaped.

What were your first impressions
about something that happened today?
(Photo: North Pacific Sunset 4:50 pm - Larry Gardepie)

Do we stay and watch the sun fizzle below the horizon?  We decided to wait.

A few minutes later the waters became calm, the clouds started to break apart, and the red, fuzzy glow spread out along and above the horizon.  This is becoming interesting!

How long do you wait for change to happen?
(Photo: North Pacific Sunset 4:55 pm - Larry Gardepie)

Do we wait longer?  Will there be more changes to surprise us?

Within a span of 12 minutes the original fuzzy glow became a fiery display of wonder and glory.  It took a conscious decision on our part to wait (patiently!), stay present, and observe.

When have you been surprised by an unexpected outcome?
(Photo: North Pacific Sunset 5:02 pm - Larry Gardepie)

Isn't life like this:

• When we slow down, notice and reflect on a person, situation or problem... 
• Then Wait-Without-Expectations for what will happen...
  
• We discover something spectacular and Previously Unseen?

The Advent Season is about waiting... observing... and preparing for the unexpected.  

What are you waiting for?  What are you noticing?   How are you preparing?

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting