The journey into inner space is just as fascinating as the one into outer space.
Many, many years ago, 1973 to be precise, an English author, Tony Buzan, was involved in presenting a series on BBC
television called Use Your Head. Tony released a book to accompany the television series. There is not a lot that I remember about that book but one thing I never forgot. That was the number of neurons in the brain, 10 to the power 200, give or take. I will return to this aspect in a later Post but now to the main point of this, my introductory Post.
I was working with a telephone coaching client this week who I’ve been with for over a year now.
He differs from my normal clients in that he’s paralysed from the shoulders down. About 8 years ago he was involved in a horrendous car accident which 99% of us would probably not have survived. He was in hospital for 18 months and now with the aid of his PAs (Personal Assistants), as he calls them, who get him up in the morning and put him to bed in the evening, he manages on his own.
He’s been working on a novel for sometime now and his optimism and faith in his own inherent sense of well-being is truly inspirational. He works at the novel every moment he can.
He has had to overcome many other setbacks in life but still manages to live a life which is far fuller than most able bodied people.
He frequently gives motivational talks and says things to me that wake me up from the trance state that I seem to occupy too much of the time, generally worrying about things that statistically are highly unlikely to happen. He is one of the most awake people I have ever come across.
I’m reading a book at the moment called, “Journey of Souls”, by Michael Newton Phd. His research carried out on numerous clients under hypnosis has shown that we choose the conditions of our lives.
In order to learn the maximum amount in life, we might opt to experience life in a body that only barely functions in order to learn to overcome extreme difficulties and gain a fresh insight into what is really important.
The book is analytical to a certain extent so suits my engineer’s mind but certainly encourages reflection on decisions we make, their impact on others and the level of integrity of those decisions. The book reminds me frequently of my coaching client.
By Jon Lavin
(John may be contacted at jon.lavin (at) peopleworkshop(dot)co(dot)uk – PH)
Footnote: Recently we were driving back after being a week away. We were on the motorway (Freeway to North Americans), quite relaxed and looking forward to being home soon.
Out of nowhere, a car 70 to 100yds in front suddenly swerved violently to the left then back to the right, hit the central metal reservation, bounced off again and, as we drove past, missed the side of our car by a few yards. This whole drama unfolded in a matter of an instant in time.
As if in slow motion, I steered the car to the inside lane and drove past – at 75mph. We were so shaken up that we were 1/4 of a mile on before I looked in the rear-view mirror and saw cars stopping and people getting out. The few seconds that this all happened in are now etched in my mind.
I wonder if it has to be like this to truly wake us from our trance?
Learning from Dogs 