Sharing Links and Wisdom: Chryalis NBtM

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Chryalis NBtM

Blurb:

We are living in a time of transformation. Old ways are fading. New ways are emerging. There is an increasing focus within. Many of us are feeling a desire to create a new direction for our lives.

Chrysalis: Personal Transformation From The Inside Out uses nature’s process of Chrysalis- a caterpillar transforming to a butterfly – as a guide for our own personal transformation. Each stage of Chrysalis provides a jumping-off point, upon which to reflect about our own experiences as we each transform.

Excerpt from Ch. 5 - Our Collective Chrysalis:

Becoming Imaginal Cells

In our Collective Chrysalis, imaginal cells are the people, organizations and societal forces that promote and create positive change and transformation in the world. Imaginal cells are our innovators, providing the fuel for our Collective Chrysalis. We can nurture imaginal cells by promoting open space for all to create, overcoming our fear of change, creating an environment of increasing interconnectedness and transparency and giving imaginal cells both a context and a role in our world.

Can we all be imaginal cells? Yes. It is a journey available to every one of us—a journey of freedom, creativity, trust, and courage. We do not look to leaders for our answers; we look within. We source our own creativity and highly value freedom. We look to the new and see possibilities, not barriers. We champion human rights and the empowerment of the individual. We feel the winds of change and use their energy for our creations. We have the courage to venture into the unknown and the discipline to follow through.

Imaginal cells have already given us global communication, faster means of travel, space exploration, scientific breakthroughs, profound spiritual insights and pathways, new organizing structures, and greater understanding of the human psyche. These creations can be built on as we begin our work. We accept that imaginal cells are of many varieties, and we move organically to create our Collective Chrysalis. We are tolerant and value diversity, knowing it is necessary to our evolution. Amidst diversity, we work in harmony and, sometimes, in chaos. We know that chaos fuels creativity, and it is not feared.

How did you get started writing?

I moved to the High Mojave Desert in 2000. I was living in a small town that had its own weekly newspaper, The Country Journal. The newspaper has a practice of interviewing any business owners that move to their area. At the end of our interview, the editor of the paper asked (out of the blue) if I had interest in writing a column about coaching for the paper. I said yes! I wrote a weekly column Coaching Corner for five years and it is now in its third run.

I had been thinking about writing for a while. The column got me started and I had the benefit of the editor’s excellent advice and editing. That gave me a great start with the discipline and creativity required to write weekly.

What was the inspiration for your book?

The butterfly! J My coaching practice, and my passions, center on personal transformation. Nature’s process of Chrysalis is a powerful metaphor for our own personal transformation. At first, I resisted writing Chrysalis, as I was busy with other projects. But soon, the muses became very loud and I started writing Chrysalis for an hour or two each day. After the first chapter was complete, I was in the rhythm of writing and got the book done.

I hope that Chrysalis will be of use to readers as they transform. Transformation is not easy and Chrysalis can be a companion for their journey.

What’s the one genre you haven’t written in yet that you’d like to?

I have not yet written a full-length fiction book. It is a very different art from non-fiction. I have thought about writing fiction for years now and have a concept for a book. To do it well, I have a lot of learning in front of me. I am now reading John Gardner’s On Becoming A Novelist. Maybe some day!

I have put my toe in the water with a short book I wrote in 2007, Power Stories: Mythical Tales of Personal Power At Work. They are fairy tale-like short stories about people finding their power and fulfillment at work.

What are you up to right now? Do you have any releases planned, or are you still writing?
I am busy with my coaching practice. Currently I am looking for two more people to complete a Career Circle that will begin in August. My career circles run for 3 months and support participants in finding fulfillment in their careers.

As far as writing, I have completed a book titled, Kaleidoscope: Flying Together In Earth’s New Energy. Kaleidoscope is a scientific name for a group of butterflies, so my metaphor continues. I do not have a release date yet. I have finished the first chapter of my new book, Hummingbird.

Alright, now for some totally random, fun questions. Favorite color?
Purple. Used to be turquoise and before that blue.

Favorite movie?

Several - Out of Africa, Apocalypse Now, A Man and A Woman are some.

You have one superpower. What is it?

The power of my intuition when it comes to people. J

Last question: You can have dinner with any 3 people, dead, alive, fictitious, etc. Who are they?

Thich Nhat Hanh, Jim Morrison, and Oprah Winfrey.

That’s all from me, thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!

Thank you, Emily!