#DontReturntoNormal part 1– Dream opened with this quote from Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone’s Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in Without Going Crazy.

“Since Active Hope doesn’t require our optimism, we can apply it even in areas where we feel hopeless. The guiding impetus is intention; we choose what we aim to bring about, act for, or express. Rather than weighing our chances and proceeding only when we feel hopeful, we focus on our intention and let it be our guide.”

We asked, “How are you living in ‘active hope’ during these tumultuous times? What do you need to create a more perfect life for yourself? To, perhaps, co-create a healthier world?”

We stepped through and illustrated, with my story, the first stage.

Dream

What matters most to you?

1. Claim your passion in that vision

What’s your passion? Where is it most alive in this vision?

2. Identify your place in that dream

What is critical to you in that vision? What are the most sumptuous next steps toward your vision?

3. Take stock of your resources

What you do need to realize your vision based on your current circumstances? What finances or forms of supports, including investments in yourself?

Here, we move on to the next three steps in the Discern stage.

Discern

Discern is focused on preparing you to step into your dream in the best way possible. This stage helps you continue to chart your course, leverage your unique strengths, and see areas where growth may be helpful in service to your vision.

4. Look at the big picture

In what context does your vision sit? Based on that, what part will you play? What supporting roles need to be filled?

As I said in the first installment of this series, part of my passion is growth. Travel serves to stretch me through new experiences. During this COVID-19 time, I’m better able to care for myself and my loved ones by staying-at-home.

But I can do research for that travel now and begin to sample the beers carried by my local shop from those distant craft breweries. I can nurture my coaching practice to ensure a rich mixture of clients while traveling. I can relish neighborhood community before becoming a nomad.

5. Inventory your strengths

What brings you joy? What do other people consistently appreciate about you?

For me, conversations and activities related to growth – individual and collective – get my blood flowing. I love encouraging, inspiring, and seeing people empower themselves to live their best lives. People say I have a gift for listening, for asking helpful questions, for fostering their growth. And I love studying and applying integral theory and adult human development.

This constellation of my dream, strangths, and passions led me to certify in spiritual direction and in integral coaching. What fun to combine them all through LifeCalls!

6. Assess your growing edges

To achieve your dream, what more do you need, if anything? What more is asked of you?

I will continue additional coaching certification and study of human development so I may more fully serve as a coach. My partner and I have visited one RV show and are discerning about purchase or rental. This image is the closest I have to a map for our travels. I and my vision surely have some growing edges!  LOL

In the next installment, we’ll build on vision and discernment with DO, the implementation, as described below.

Do

7. Take “safe to fail” steps

8. Sustain forward motion

9. Celebrate a life of meaning

I dearly hope you’ll continue your journey of “active hope” on the way to living your dream!

What steps might you take to discern your precious and unique part in your dream? To contextualize your intention with which you can foster active hope?

When you’ve answered those questions, step into part 3 of this series to bring it on home.

Your best life needs you! The world needs you!