January 2012

This is the letter where I traditionally share my theme for the upcoming year. Having a theme helps me to explore aspects of my life and way of being in a more purposeful and focused way throughout the year. The seed of this year’s theme started out along the lines of “be fully Sharon” but as I thought about it, that statement did not capture the complete meaning of what my intention is for 2012. To be fully Sharon requires an understanding and honoring of the essential parts of who I am.

Mark Nepo touches on this idea beautifully in his November 13th entry in The Book of Awakening. He draws a parallel between the commitments we exchange in marriage, to the devotion to the care of our soul: to have and to hold, to love and cherish, for better or worse, in sickness and in health. When I read this simple yet profound essay, it clicked for me. What I really seek has more to do with my inner path. And, it is about embracing and integrating that inner self, my soul, with my outward expression of who I am.

Nepo plays on the nautical definition of marry, which is to join two ropes together by intertwining their strands. Thus, we interweave the lives of our heart and our mind; our faith and our doubt; our radiance and our darkness. When we “marry our humanness to our spirit” we create a life that is stronger, deeper, richer, and multi-dimensional. This journey requires I explore all aspects of my soul. That I not be afraid to examine the light and the shadow, my strengths and my faults. The idea of better integrating heart and head, and what that might look like, is intriguing to me. As I’ve been intentionally doing more of that in my work, it helps me to bring more of myself to my clients.

Thus, my theme for 2012 is “Embrace My Soul.” My hope is that my clients, as well as family and friends, will also benefit from a more fully integrated Sharon. My intention is to always be honing my coaching skills, while also paying attention to the inner work that allows me to coach from a more wise and powerful place. If I can support you in developing and living out your own theme for the New Year, please let me know. I wish you a year of learning, peace, and abundant blessings.

Warm regards,

Sharon
Sharon Keys Seal