My own experiences have shown me that dealing with deep loss can be extremely painful – and, at the same time, can lead to a whole new perspective on life that gives freedom from a dependance on ‘things and people’ to provide happiness and fulfilment. When my 24 year old son, Paul, died unexpectedly 3 years ago today while travelling in Kenya, I – and many others around me – were confronted with the loss of someone that transcended anything that my worst nightmares could have conjured up.

Three years later though and, while still saddened by his passing, after much reflection I now feel very differently about the whole issue of life and death (and loss in general). For me personally I have challenged and, to a large extent, moved beyond the ‘black and white’ permanent nature of death as we generally view it in the Western world today; and instead view it as a ‘temporary separation’. If you’re interested in finding out more then you can download an article that I’ve written called ‘A Father’s Story’ at http://www.values-in-business.com/life-experiences-learning-forum/.

I was reflecting recently on the beautiful metaphor used in Marshall Rosenberg’s ‘Non-Violent Communication’ of the ‘Giraffe’ and ‘Jackal’ Ears. Essentially, when we use Giraffe Ears we’re open for all the opportunities in a conversation – for all the possibilities that could emerge! Conversely, when we put on our Jackal Ears we close down and look for all the threats and hurt that the conversation could convey. In the former we listen from a place of ‘love’ and, in the latter, we listen from a place of ‘fear’. Personally I’ve found that the same principles apply to reading as well (hence ‘Giraffe Eyes’). Either way, it simply comes down to the choice that we make on how to perceive (and, therefore, receive) the message. Unfortunately many times this choice is made unconsciously……and too often the Jackal wins through. Only the light of rising awareness can illuminate this situation. May all our awarenesses continue to rise!

Earlier today I again read the well-known Marcel Proust quote, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes”. As someone who has the core value of ‘adventure’, it struck me that travelling to far-off places to climb mountains (as I’ll be doing this summer) is only one of many ways that we can use to get a different perspective on things. Indeed, the real work happens on the inside (‘it’s an inside job guv’). When we’re able to take a different perspective on something that may perhaps be troubling us, then we can experience real shift….and, as I discovered yesterday, this can happen very quickly! Taking a different perspective shifts the energy and allows us to create a different vision and intent from those that were perhaps triggering our fears previously.

Last week I travelled over to Frankfurt where I had the absolute pleasure of teaching the 2-day Cultural Transformation Tools Part 1 course (for the last time). I describe this experience as a pleasure not because I enjoy running this particular programme – personalIy I much prefer delivering the 3-day Part 2 programme, and even more now the new 4-day Combined Parts 1 and 2 (this is the new standard programme from 2012 onwards). The reason I enjoyed this particular programme so much was because I was pushed to the limits of my own understanding and knowledge of these powerful diagnostic tools by 6 wonderful participants who were thirsty for understanding. So thank you to Stefan, Frederik, Susanne, Franz, and the wonderful Marita and Peter Mohr!

Last week John Campbell and I had the privilage of guiding 11 participants through our 4-day Cultural Transformation Tools Combined Parts 1 & 2  programme. We had 7 different nationalities represented – a fact that in itself made this a very special programme. We had participants from Russia, Spain, Sweden, America, Singapore, Germany and the UK: all bringing their own unique blend of cultural values into the mix!

Thanks very much to all who attended and contributed to such a rich time together: Sabine, Helen, KL, Andrei, Lorna, Prashant, Regino, Roberto, Marisca, Begona and Ulrika. May each of you take your special gifts out into the world and make a difference to those around you.