Last Monday, the 22nd of March 2010 was a day that the people of Perth, Western Australia will remember for many years to come. The heavens opened up and it rained, then poured and then started sending hail that ranged from the size of golf balls to cricket balls. Some escaped damage, and others had the unfortunate circumstances of wrecked cars or homes damaged from water or hail that viciously came through windows, ceilings, walls or backed up onto floors and gardens.
Here is a brief video that a local shot on the day of the storm for those of you who were not here in Perth to experience it, or if you wish to ‘re-live’ the experience.
The purpose of this blog post was not to elaborate on the damage, the wrecked cars, the numerous amounts of insurance claims now in queues, but to share with you my true inspiration from the storm.
The Sunset After The Storm which was the day after, was one of the most breathtaking I can remember. I ran to get my camera and capture the sky with it’s most magical hues of pink, orange and red.
This to me is reflective of life. The ups and downs of life are representative of a storm. Emotions like rage, anger and hate can be shades of black and grey and be so dim. Going through rough periods can make you feel like you’re in a black hole, falling down a dark tunnel, bleak and even fearful. The sky that late afternoon got so dark around 5:00pm, that you thought it was midnight. The power went out creating even more darkness and quietness which was quite eerie. Amazingly enough, it was such a different sound compared to the ‘buzzing’ that is constantly surrounding us. It was also another reminder how we take things for granted like electricity, which we have grown so dependent on.
On the other side of the spectrum, to balance out that dark, black vicious sky – the most amazing brightness that painted the sky literally made me stop and give thanks for the many blessings in my life.
I quote my mentor, Dr John Demartini, “Nothing has ever happened or can happen to you that is not a gift and a blessing, but it’s difficult to be thankful until you find the hidden benefit in what may seem at first to be a negative event. Gratitude makes you present with whatever you are doing.”
I’ve learned that it is more than just being positive, or thinking positive. It’s about being truly grateful for what is, as it is. Not living in the guilt of the past, or fear of the future, but truly in the present…that’s why they call it a gift :-).
Balance comes from focusing on what we have in our lives that we are grateful for. I’ve been consciously asking myself, when I catch a negative thought, or complaint in action. Is this an empowering thought, or a disempowering thought? We have the power and the choice to change that. It doesn’t have to dominate. Choosing which way is so liberating.
So whatever storm you may be going through in life, ask yourself: Am I acting in an empowering way, or a disempowering way? Are my thoughts empowering or disempowering? If I want a different outcome, the first major step is to change my thoughts and the rest will follow.
Choose to see the sunset, appreciate the sunset, be grateful for the sunset, rather than focusing on the storm – the darkness, the destruction, the damage. Look for your ‘Sunset After The Storm’….good luck on your journey!
Happy 2010! It sure has gotten off to a very fast start. I feel like it just rolled in and we’re getting ready to turn the page on the calendar to February. One of the most significant things that has happened in my life as a female chiropractor, is the 2 new chiropractors that have joined my team at Hillarys Chiropractic.
When The Teacher Is Ready, The Student Appears
I have taken on a mentoring role in the practice with 2 new associate chiropractors. They are both vibrant, enthusiastic and eager to learn. I am committed to assisting them while they embrace and develop into being the best chiropractors that they can be. With the experience and wisdom of my years in practice, I plan to share and nurture that chiropractic spirit in them to love, give and serve the patients to the best of their ability.
When the Student Is Ready, The Teacher Appears
One of the new mentorees has been a wellness patient of mine for many years. His understanding of the chiropractic paradigm and commitment to helping people is from the heart. The other mentoree I had the pleasure of meeting through the other, as they went through the chiropractic course together. His heart and commitment matches the core values, mission, vision statement of our practice.
Mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship that involves a more experienced person helping a less experienced person to achieve their goals.
Mentoring provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a student’s career development by sharing knowledge you have acquired through years of experience.
Effective Mentoring
focuses on the needs of the person being mentored
fosters caring and supportive relationships within the workplace
encourages the person being mentored to develop to their optimum potential
As a mentor, the role is one that instructs, helps and guides another in the process of gaining knowledge, understanding and skills. I want to take this a step further - pointing to something that is already present in the student. It is like teaching someone to have shoulders. You can’t really teach someone who already has shoulders, to have shoulders. However, you can make them more aware of the shoulders they already have.
A mentoring relationship is usually where one wiser and more experienced person assists another person to grow and learn. Humans from the beginning of time have learned norms, values and behaviours by the example and coaching of others.
New adaptations of mentoring allows individuals to interact as colleagues in a helping relationship, on a more equal basis which can cultivate growth and learning to mutual benefit.
Experience, skills and a genuine desire to help are more valuable assets in a mentoring relationship than age or position. Open and assertive communication and the trust of both parties are essential.
Benefits to the Practice
• Greater productivity
• Discovery of talent
• Development of leadership for future survival and prosperity
• Communication of values, goals and plans
• Increase in morale and motivation
• Demonstration of personal and professional standards
• Achievement of excellent service
• Implementation of equity initiatives
• Fostering of shared values and team work
• Enhancement of leadership and people management skills
• Revitalised energy
• Increase in staff satisfaction
• Building a learning organisation
Benefits to the Mentoree
• Development of potential
• Increased knowledge about the practice
• Flexibility - Mentorees negotiate with their mentors to work within available time and other commitments
• Self directed learning - Mentorees choose specific learning objectives
• Give and receive feedback
• Receive encouragement and support to achieve goals
• Develop new networks
• Develop new and/or different perspectives
• Get assistance with ideas
• Demonstrate strengths and explore potential
• Develop visibility within or outside an organisation
• Be challenged to use talents and share expertise
• Develop and increase self confidence
Benefits to the Mentor
• Obtain a greater understanding of the barriers experienced at lower levels of the practice
• Enhance their own skills in coaching, counselling, listening and modelling
• The sense of being needed and recognised professionally
• Develop and practise a more personal style of leadership
• Gain additional recognition and respect
• Learn new perspectives and approaches
• Contribute something to others in the organisation
• Extend professional networks
• Demonstrate expertise and share knowledge
Both partners in the mentoring relationship benefit. Learning must be a lifelong process and one of the most effective ways to learn is to assist in the development of others. The best teachers learn much from their students, counsellors constantly learn from clients and partners in any successful relationship grow and develop along the way.
I look forward to our journey ahead, and trust that all will benefit in many forms.
Chiropractic is an art, science and philosophy focusing on a nervous system free from interference to allow the body to reach it’s optimum potential, naturally.
Chiropractic is a main passion and interest in my life. Not only is it my profession, but a way to connect the mind and body; a lifestyle - a natural way to allow your body to heal itself, and so much more. It is about looking at the entire body. Our bodies act as a whole unit - from Above, Down, Inside, Out! I love serving the community and being pro-active in making a difference…both individually and collectively as a whole.
