I cannot even begin to articulate the transformation which is in the turbulence of where I currently stand. Consequently, I remain open to what the unfolding demands in the flow; the certainty of both rising and falling. Impact is the living measure; confirmation of one’s willing participation in the unfolding−the flow.

In this 21st Century, we need you to step into, and love, the flow of revolutionary authenticity, drawn by purpose.

Purpose brings awareness:
1) Awareness flows from your core.
2) Awareness surrounds you.
3) Awareness draws in life.

Awareness in the flow−Awareness is the flow.

Be aware.

See companion post, Drawn by Purpose

The stream does not desire tragedy to be a part of its story, but embracing complexity, the stream accepts this as unavoidable. As a participant in the stream’s story, I take accountability to wade in a manner contributing to the joyful telling of the story.

Embracing complexity: We are not independent of the whole, separate from the larger story. Independent control is an illusion.

Authentic encouragement: “All things work together for good …” is a hard one to embrace if still a prisoner of divisional thinking. Fulfilling participation in the larger story requires one to be presently consistent in holding the reality of what is collectively good: success and failure, rising and falling, clarity and cloudiness, good and bad. Without the ability to embrace complexity, which includes your uniqueness in the story, you cannot be in the flow of the stream.

Freedom in A New Confidence: You enter a new confidence the moment you commit to holding the tension of contradiction in living−of wading the stream. As I process this very writing, I hold the tension of whether flow is found in each experience of the unfolding or if each experience places one in flow. Maybe it is both.

Experience−The freedom of a captured heart: An inability to confidently walk in the reality of life’s contradictions is to hold on to opinions and the need to be right−a false faith in divisional thinking. At the core of life in A New Confidence is Love. Only in love is one’s heart captured, and thus freed.

Your love as a leader builds my confidence for the flow. Please … courageously love and lead us in its freedom, and encourage us as we learn to hold ourselves confidently in the complex balance.

The writing of the manuscript for Wading the Stream of Awareness was not the beginning of my radical journey inward, but it was an extended experience that forever changed my inward journey, and ostensibly any outward excursion.

Standing by the stream, intellectually I know it will clear by designed process. But I sometimes grow weary waiting for the next providential wonder. Too often in this information rich world we are pulled into the impoverished spotlight of what we do not yet have. This negative removal from presence is a tragic cause of much despair.

Back by the side of the stream, with cloudiness still in flow, I once again feel the certainty drawn through the capacity of hope. I don’t know about you, but in the black-hole pull that seems to always accompany a fearful visit to the future, it is impossible to truly focus in the now. You are conceivably no longer even here; at least not for any good thing in the present.

Remember, what you desire for your impact in this world demands your present attention and focused intention. The stream will clear and flow once again for a clear wade.

We give from our best self only when fully present. In full presence we listen fully.

I believe that there are two necessary paths enabling us to move toward wisdom: a radical journey inward and a radical journey outward.” −Richard Rohr, Simplicity

Our outward hearing is strengthened by the internal ear; the ability to listen in the flow of individual, unique story. In the flow, aware and listening, my heart is captured and encouraged by the broad spectrum of life. In true presence, I am no longer surprised by the movement of providence; but I am continually amazed.

The structural principle of authenticity: Whatever you desire to do for others, you must be able to do for yourself. This principle is not about perfection. It is about childlike charity in the present. We have become too rigid in accepting and receiving in ourselves. As children, we were open to parental charity−a charity that was obligation for the adult and a bright expectation on the part of the child.

There comes a time to be free again in the larger story; to receive in order to give, and to have your heart captured by what is carefully heard in the flow.

I wish I could explain what attracts me to the stream. I know it has become an essential part of my life. There are times even though miles away I hear its song. I hear it calling my name. I have all my life.

Were it not for the call of the stream−the softness of a name given me in grace−I believe I would have become lost in the past few weeks of reflection at the pool.

Sometimes we fervently crave something new when the real pang is for what is already present and established. What is already present is your voice. There is an energy−a power−that resonates from your core. This is your voice; that one element you hold so close that it must be present (flowing) for each interaction to be as it ought.

In this time of contemplation, that has providentially included a necessary suffering, I was made aware of an intonation in my voice that had become muted in the sometimes too plentiful insignificant clatter of 21st Century living. My thoughts then turned to doing what I must to free this energy into active articulation; a delivery firmly placed by the strength of my voice.

Know then the essential things. Be still in the flow and listen for the call. Chances are what you hear will not be for the first time, but maybe specifically more recognizable than ever before. Has the message (the call) changed? No. You have.

Your voice will clear the flow of your individual character and allow us safety in the experience of who we really are.

Acknowledge the difference between tenacity and offensive stubbornness. The offense is against your purpose. Even though you may feel justified in an obstinate posture, this is usually driven from the negative. This strikes heavy of the old confidence.

The new confidence moves you from the positive, from your strength of purpose; and the strike−now a blow for impact−is lovingly guided by Desire & Intent. And yes, sometimes desire and intent become cloudy in the flow of life.

Stepping out of the stream when the bottom cannot be seen is not about fear; fear may be present and is connected to respect for our protection. However, the level of respect to which I refer is more about how we adore the stream and attend to our own, unique experience with the stream.

Clear or cloudy, the stream requests our presence; whether wading or waiting streamside. The stream encourages our attendance−the way we care for our self and the manner in which we apply our individual self.

The stream is patient−continuing purposefully in flow−as you move from the need to control in the old confidence to the conscious freedom of the new confidence.

I began this post just before slowing into a 13 day pool. I was definitely in need of time to gather myself for the next stage of the journey.

Had something dampened desire?

Did I lose focus?

Was it time for a change?

If so, to what would I turn?

Then I was reminded that the turning is after the tumbles and breaks. Let me tell you, the tumbling and breaking is painful at a deep, personal level. As Richard Rohr calls it in his book, Falling Upward, “A necessary suffering.”

Until we are led to the limits of our present game plan, and find it to be insufficient, we will not search out or find the real source, the deep well, or the constantly flowing stream. −Richard Rohr

In times of significant change in my life, commitment was followed by the beautiful flow of providence. I know that my desire and intent have joined internally to create the dance toward the impact of my voice.

In this pool−which may go beyond the 13 days−I’ve been lovingly reminded of another authentic fact: The core of my voice is authentic encouragement of the individual.

What is your journey of impact?

Most likely, the impact you most desire was born some distance back in your experience. My storytelling friend, Kim Weitkamp, calls this your ignition point: A moment in time when passion kicked-in to a degree of burning impression.

Participating in a workshop of Kim’s, she took me back to that time; sitting in the courtyard of my high school. I saw the young persons who sought me out to talk. They were starving for encouragement at the heart of who they were.

The flow of your awareness−your passion−is a loving, inclusive force. It flows from your core, surrounds you, and draws in life.

My friendship with Paul has been enlightening for my work with leaders in corporate environments. While Paul works on physical environments, he teaches me about empowerment in the emotional and spiritual realm of our spaces. Freedom is essential!

For Paul, honesty and trust must always be present for the most positive environment. This is the flow of Paul’s voice. A handshake is his name in cement.

Respecting her brave fight, I will call Paul’s client Karen. She is battling the disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Paul is not merely a construction expert, he partners in the care of the client. During Karen’s Smart Design project, he would take along material samples so she could actually feel the differences while he explained the details. This allowed Karen a level of engagement, expectation, and inclusion.

Paul told me that providing functional space for an individual like Karen is as empowering for him as it is for the client. These experiences are fulfilling his own purpose as the physical spaces he designs give freedom to the individuals who occupy them.

A few years ago, as Paul and I were looking forward in this value of fulfillment, he said, “My story is being written as I focus on the right pieces and build the dream.” And oh, in his intelligent, witty manner he added, “Knowing that I occasionally have to pull down my pants and slide on the ice.”

Paul Walton is a natural teacher because of the love he has for his clients. He applies his creative abilities and focuses passion in serving through his simple representation of Smart Design.

Paul and Moose
positive-environments.com

As Eric looked back on his life, both personally and professionally, he began to realize how much his sense of being depended on, and revolved around, service and excellence in service. As a personal example, he told of how he remodeled the family’s main bathroom, meticulously doing all the work himself. When it was completed, he simply couldn’t wait for his wife and two teenage daughters to each take their first shower in the space he designed just for them. Professionally, in the job before his current role, he became competitive; meaning that being more conscious of impact made his talents and strengths more visible to those he served.

When in the transition to his current company and his present officer role, Eric felt lost. Finally it occurred to him why he felt that way. He was accustomed to knowing his work well and being precise in modeling service in the work. In the milieu of feeling lost, he was paralyzed by what he didn’t know−becoming afraid of saying, “I don’t know.” Looking back once again, he sees it as a lack of understanding, both of himself and of the larger story of the organization.

Referring to a time before being conscious and focused on his personal brand, Eric said, “I struggled with what it meant to better serve others by serving myself.” His confidence is now at a level where he is comfortable saying, I don’t know. Comfort and confidence have come with acceptance; of who he is, what he does, and his impact.

Eric Egan is an Innovation Officer using the power of teaching to lead others to their full contribution. His personal brand is to Empower Others to Confidently Serve and Self-serve.