What is the difference between walking away and walking towards? And can one exist without the other?
Is it a continuum we walk along?
Or an always state?
In coaching conversations, the desire to walk towards something versus walking away from something is often raised. The emphasis is made to be very important. And, while I don’t necessarily disagree, I don’t think it’s mutually exclusive.
In fact, as I tend to see it, it’s usually a bit of both. (And, we have the opportunity through intentional work to make it so by trying to work with the situation we’re in, find greater alignment and possibility while in it and see what is there for us as we do, while still being open to or even eager for possibility beyond it.)
My concern with the emphasis is, if it’s only acceptable to talk about or think about walking towards, then I think we inadvertently create one more box we can get stuck inside of. And, sometimes, opening the aperture is the key to unlocking the box. It’s about agency and empowerment. Hope and possibility. And brave. So much brave.
Often, in different seasons of our lives, one of these points of view feels more alive than the other.
For example, when we are in the thick of change, it may be the glimmer of light we’re walking towards that keeps us going amidst what very much feels more predominantly like tunnel energy we’re longing to move through and away from. And, when that light grows and grows to the point we need our sunglasses, it can be hard to believe how far behind us that tunnel seems. But we wouldn’t have one without the other.
And both can be hard.
The light and dark imagery is useful for distinguishing one from the other, but it is not intended to make one bad and one good or imply one is hard and one is easy. Because that’s not how I have seen it play out.
Every stage of change, evolution, transition, whatever it is we are navigating can hold hard and hope, beauty and pain, struggle and ease.
And, I think it is so important to make space for all of that. And to honor and celebrate all of it. The walking away because walking away can be hard. And scary. And lonely. And so uncertain. The walking towards because it can too. And we celebrate to integrate and what I think we are integrating is empowerment and possibility.
I, for one, am always walking towards that.
What are you walking towards? And what might it mean walking away from? How do you honor both?
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For foundational alignment tools starting with visioning and values and moving towards intention and goal-setting in a supportive and inspiring group coaching environment, registration is open for the next Some Days, Clarity Compass Group Coaching Cohort, beginning in the new year.
Details here: Some Days, Clarity Compass Group Coaching Cohort
And, I’d love to see you in person on November 14th 10 am – 12 pm for a discussion with Cecily Mak about busyness – our tendency towards it and listening to that little voice it often muffles before overwhelm sets in, a thread that runs through Cecily’s helpful and inspiring book, Undimmed (must read!) as well as her second book in progress and my novel in progress. We are gathering with our big dreams in the big dream of a mutual friend, Laura Guzman. She created Book Society, a much buzzed-about bookstore in Berkeley, California I have been longing to see since I first heard Laura’s vision had come to life. Call it synchronicity. Call it serendipity. Call it magic. I’ll go with all three.
Details & RSVP Here (space is limited): Pause & Presence: An Undimmed Morning Before the Holiday Rush | Book Society
Also, the details of next year‘s Some Days, Autumn Abundance manifested as if from thin (mountain) air during my impromptu Me-Treat in Idyllwild last week. I will share more in the coming months, but the themes will be cultivating intuition and stepping into our power. Make sure you’re on the interest list if you want to stay in the loop on early details and access to registration. You won’t want to miss this one. Some Days, Autumn Abundance – Fall Retreat Interest List Last, new fun things. I’ve been sharing more integrated life and leadership insights and musings on Instagram @create.some.days and about my own integrated life, leadership and intentional pursuit of big dreams on Instagram @libby.stockstill. I’d love for you to please follow, share and engage with what resonates!