I will be eternally grateful for your great gift of taking in to the fullest extent what it is that I
have to offer, living it, and then reflecting it back in terms of the potential experience of others.
You have given words to a process that defies words. And you’re constantly in a position to help
me continue to hone that, deeper and deeper and more and more resonantly, who I am and what I offer,
which is truly invaluable. — Jon Hansen, 
Working together was absolutely key, and I think that’s what made it such a great
experience. I felt like you were my partner in this. I felt like my success was your
success. To me, someone who has that attitude and the skills to go with it —
that’s an unbeatable combination! — Daniel Stone, 
I have a website I’m proud of — but for me, the hugest benefit has been
increased self-confidence. Because of the process we went through, and the validity that
came with the process, I trust what I think and I trust myself to speak about it. I have
greater confidence and clarity in my message about who I am and what I do. — Bev
Dwane AICI CIP, 
What you’ve sent me is so darn perfect it hurts! It’s a sheer pleasure to work with someone
who writes as beautifully as you do — and in “my” voice. — Ariane Goodwin, Ed.D,
You have a real gift for words. You’re really, really good at it. — Sherry Essig,
Why my work makes me cry
I write this with the belief that some readers may find it weird or egotistical.
That is, of course, my insecurity talking.
And I’m writing it anyway (take that, insecurity!), because it’s something that deeply wants to be expressed. And because I’ve learned not to listen to the voices of insecurity and criticism. Most of the time, anyway.
Today my work reduced me … no. Today my work raised me to tears. Tears of gratitude, awe, and humility.
Today I listened as the women in the group program I co-facilitate talked about where they were in January – and where they are today.
I don’t “do” this work. I just allow it. I allow it to come through me, to speak through me, to act through me.
And I am just blown away, over and over again, by the power of it.
Like, wow. I mean, very serious, major, life-changing wow.
And tears. Yep.
It’s a very, very good thing.
(If you’re curious about the program, the next one starts in July.)
Posted under The internal message.
Tags: Creativity
Comments
Comment from
Grace
Time June 22, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Alistair – Thank you!
I agree that often society encourages us to step back from taking ownership – or responsibility might be a better word – for what we do well.
Of course, I’m not really sure that I “do” this work, but it certainly seems to be using me, so to speak, as a conduit. Which is pretty amazing, and certainly something for me to appreciate and be grateful for!
Comment from Alistair
Time June 20, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Didn’t seem egotistical to me. Sometimes we do good work. Sometimes we do a good deed. Sometimes we enable someone else’s development, or progress. And sometimes we don’t give into the the self deprecating mode society seems to expect, and celebrate the fact that we have done well.
Good for you.
Nothing wrong with modesty, or self deprecation in its place. There is, as they say, a time and a place for everything. Including feeling good about something you’ve done, and celebrating it.