As I contemplate being past president,
several reflective thoughts occur to me.
The situations that arise on a daily basis
in this position provided me the opportunity
to examine what is most important to members,
what seemed important but wasn’t in
the long run and what reactions I had and
why. This was a wonderful lesson in self-understanding,
and I go forward stronger, kinder and certainly
wiser. I humbly thank the Board of Governors,
the certifiers, the volunteers, the staff
and the IAC members for helping me to grow,
stretch and become more intimately acquainted
with my inner being.
It’s been an amazing 2 ½ years
and if you’ll indulge me, I’d
like to share a few of the things I’ve
learned, relearned or reframed:
There is no urgency, ever.
Great things happen when you feel safe
and are in an environment rich with possibility.
More than ever I understand that you can
learn a lot about how someone feels about
themselves by listening to what they are
saying about others.
If you spend too much time concerned about
a back up plan, the chance is great that
you will end up doing the back up plan.
Life will deliver to you what you expect.
Be willing to stand by your ideas while
allowing others to do the same, no matter
how opposing they may seem.
If you want quality, abandon deadlines.
Instead, target dates will keep you on track
with the built in flexibility that will
net more satisfying results.
Everything works out in the end. If it
hasn’t worked out, it’s not
the end.
The notion that nothing is personal has
more power than anything else I’ve
learned. However anyone feels about you
or what you are doing is from their unique
frame of reference. That’s all any
of us have until we decide to remove the
frame and allow an unlimited view. This
is when relationships can grow and strengthen
even under the most adverse of conditions.
There is always a choice.
Everybody is right.
Replacing self-criticism with self-reflection
has magic powers.
Inspire others by being inspired by them.
As we celebrate the IAC’s 5th anniversary
this month, we also celebrate and anticipate
the vision Angela Spaxman, our new President,
will bring to the position. She is truly
a remarkable being and I am personally thrilled
that she offers her leadership gifts to
the IAC. We are going to see some IAC dreams
come true!
Appreciatively,
Natalie
