The Delicate Balance: Life Beyond LinkedIn & Lessons From Japan

Gosh, full confession: my intention was to pen a monthly article, yet three months have flown by since my last Wellbeing Whisper. I've overridden the sense of 'failure' with the truth that life is wonderfully full, and today is the perfect, most authentic time to reconnect.

These Wellbeing Whispers are crafted to kindle your enthusiasm for nurturing your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. I am steadfast in inspiring you to embrace consistent actions that will infuse your life with vibrant energy and joy.

?In this edition, you'll discover:

? Five transformative lessons, inspired by Japan, to enrich your life and leadership

? A poem reflecting my recent Japanese journey alongside David Whyte

? An inspirational truth about the marvel that is your body

Clearly, there's more to life than LinkedIn. It's all about balance, isn't it?

As Nayyirah Waheed so eloquently states:

‘Do not choose the lesser life.

Do you hear me.

Do you hear me.

Choose the life that is yours.

The life that is seducing you.

That is dripping down your chin.’

Japan has long held a seductive allure for me, and I finally indulged that yearning!

The anticipation for the trip had been building for years, allowing me to merge this dream with the privilege of walking alongside my favourite poet and philosopher, David Whyte .

During my recent expedition in Japan, tracing the steps of the Nakasendo trail from Kyoto to Tokyo, I unearthed timeless principles of wellbeing that have the power to revolutionise our approach to living and leading.

MD2MD (Thank you Emma Phipps & Laura Bradley ) invited me to design a presentation based on my experiences, woven together with evocative narratives, challenging questions, and practical rituals to enhance life and leadership through the lens of wellbeing.

Why?

Because as we navigate the complexities of 2024 and beyond, the art of maintaining resilience and vibrancy in leadership is more imperative than ever.

Hence, I assembled a presentation spotlighting five transformative lessons from Japan, aimed at supercharging wellbeing and leadership performance.

?Feedback from a participant who graced the session:

"A key insight for me was the realisation that it doesn't have to be over-complicated. Begin with oneself before attempting to inspire others. I could easily spend another hour delving into all of this with her!"

Here are two reflective questions from the session for you to ponder, should you also be intrigued by the prospect of infusing more Zen into 2024:

? How can you introduce more MOTs – moments of truth by "Being aware of what is happening in the present moment, with an attitude of kindness and acceptance"?

? What can the Japanese art of Kintsugi teach you and your teams about authenticity and resilience in 2024?

This presentation is filled with anecdotes, reflective questions and practical strategies, available as a 45-60 minute keynote or a 2-3 hour masterclass.

If the idea of 'life-changing pockets of time' for your team resonates with you, please leave a comment here or reach out to me directly and I will share more details with you.

Inspired by poets David Whyte and Basho*, I've penned my own haiku collection about my sojourn in Japan.

Might you craft poetry or explore new modes of expressing your emotions in 2024?

A haiku collection by Celynn Morin - JAPAN November 2023

Walking sacred trails

Inspired by haikus of old

Timeless harmony

Shimmering nature

We bow to the rising sun

Setting into Grace

Autumnal colours

Hues painted across the trees

Horizons beckon

Mountains and rivers

Immovable and flowing

Symmetry abounds

Across crumbly leaves

Aliveness of bathed senses

Crushed yet not broken

Trails of eras passed

Past present and future merge

Forged with each new step

Barefoot we greet homes

Respectful of tradition

Encounters anew

Frontiers of kinship

Poetry breaking down walls

Into me you see

*Basho was a 17th-century Japanese haiku master, born near Kyoto to a samurai family.

A bit of inspiration for you...

“If you find yourself at a crossroads on your personal health journey, bogged down by exhaustion or scepticism every time you consider taking action, embrace this revelation: you are a miracle. Within you, there are 70 trillion cells. Each cell contains 3 feet of DNA. In fact, were your DNA to be unfurled and laid end-to-end, it would encircle the Earth 2 million times. The miracle of your existence is no accident.” Dr. Zach Bush Zach Bush MD

As I bid farewell for now, I reflect on the Japanese custom of parting. It's more than a mere goodbye; it's an expression of apology, a reaffirmation of ties, a poignant acknowledgment of the temporary suspension of our connection. So, with a heart brimming with joy and gratitude, I bid you sayonara.