It was a wonderful evening when we gathered in Salford last Thursday to meet the president and co-founder of the Coaches Training Institute, Karen Kimsey-House. Karen talked about the need we all have for fresh AIR in our life; AIR standing for Authenticity, Intimacy and Response-ability. I just want to share the essence of this inspiring talk with you.
We all crave to be able to be ourselves and being accepted for it. Faking to be someone society is asking us to be is robbing us of our aliveness. We get into boxes and conform to other people’s expectations. And by so doing, it suits everyone else besides us. The result is a society of chaos and stress. Let’s get rid of this mask we all wear, it’s blocking our fresh AIR. If you’re ready to live your life according to what’s important to you, then follow your heart and be Authentic. It’s worth it.
Intimacy (or 'into-me-see' as Karen also put it) is the ‘I’ in AIR. When we are ourselves, the least that we want from others is to accept us for who we are. Not who they want us to be or who they wish we were. But simply who we are. We all struggle in doing that; judging others is routine. However, everyone longs to be really listened to and understand where they're coming from. This doesn’t mean we have to agree with everyone. But we can agree to disagree and still see the greatness in others.
Response-ability (that’s the ‘R’ in AIR), is different from responsibility. When the world is asking us to seize that opportunity of leadership and courage in a moment in time, respond to it there and then. Do what has to be done in that moment for the benefit of all. Respond to people around you consciously. Pick up on your intuition and follow your heart. Don’t look back, be brave, have guts – the world needs you for it!
And as a final word, Karen encouraged us to believe in ourselves, in our dreams and in life.
Aira Falls, Ullswater, Lake District
