Two character
strengths that significantly contribute to my well-being are Creativity and
Love of Learning. These interconnect in my career as a teacher of two seemingly
disconnected subjects: the business of art and restorative yoga. The VIA Institute of Character Classification of Strengths motto for Creativity is to
“do things in a different way” and the motto of Love of Learning is to “learn something
from every situation.” These statements describe the deep engagement I feel in
the flow of teaching both yoga and business.
Although I recognize
that both yoga and business are the foundation for deeper meaning in my life,
the combination is not easy to explain to potential clients or to my supportive family.
This dichotomy causes self-doubt and frustration that turn into negative thinking. To resolve this tension I contracted a business development specialist to help me identify how to interconnect these two areas of teaching into one easily understood whole. After several missed deadlines for delivering her proposal, the consultant admitted that she could not identify any correlation between yoga and business.
I felt stumped. Was there really no connection? Surely, my desire to do things in a different way had a greater purpose.
This dichotomy causes self-doubt and frustration that turn into negative thinking. To resolve this tension I contracted a business development specialist to help me identify how to interconnect these two areas of teaching into one easily understood whole. After several missed deadlines for delivering her proposal, the consultant admitted that she could not identify any correlation between yoga and business.
I felt stumped. Was there really no connection? Surely, my desire to do things in a different way had a greater purpose.
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What I now realize is
that a search for meaning and a sense of achievement in my life-work is not
something I can farm out to a consultant. As a creative person I thrive on
doing things a different way based on what I learn from every situation. Focusing
on the positive relationships I have with my students and clients, I see the
connection: Business and Bodies are both studies of systems that can be
explored, understood and improved for improved health.
My lifework is to guide people in articulating their vision, exploring the current reality in relation to their goal and developing options and solutions to pursue their intentions. Ultimately, finding this connection has been an opportunity for me to go deep into my belief system and affirm my unique way of creating and learning. I love learning to do things differently.
My lifework is to guide people in articulating their vision, exploring the current reality in relation to their goal and developing options and solutions to pursue their intentions. Ultimately, finding this connection has been an opportunity for me to go deep into my belief system and affirm my unique way of creating and learning. I love learning to do things differently.
