A Proverbial Ability
Jonathan Belisle
CEO @ Paracosm - Expansive Leadership Coach / Ontologist, Speaker, Poetic Engineer/ Agentive UX and Multi-Modal AI Agents Designer) / BANFF / TIFF / FOST / Creative Mornings / TedX Talks / SXSW
Exposing My Narrative Inquiry Practices
In the realm of narrative inquiry, there exists a powerful ability, akin to a proverbial gift. It is the art of asking questions that not only ignite transformational energy but also sustain a vital élan within those who engage with them. This ability has the potential to help individuals feel the future pulsating inside their cells and guts, awakening a profound sense of possibility and purpose.
At the core of this ability lies the understanding that the safe choice is often the wrong choice. It acknowledges that true growth and exploration come from stepping outside the confines of comfort and embracing the unknown. It embraces the notion that vulnerability can be a source of strength, rather than a weakness, particularly for those who are hypersensitive to the world around them.
A pivotal moment
For me, accepting this proverbial ability was a pivotal moment. It granted me the freedom to speak my truth at all times, grounded in utmost kindness. It allowed me to create an atmosphere where everyone I encountered felt like magicians, capable of manifesting their desires and dreams. It reminded me that the bridge between the heart and the voice can always be opened, fostering authentic connections and deep understanding.
However, accessing this inner sanctuary was not an easy feat. It required a surrender of the ego, and a willingness to release outdated perceptions of what love should be.
It demanded a conscious effort of shedding the anxieties and expectations projected onto me by others. It entailed a process of introspection, where I learned to discern when I was driven by anxiety rather than listening to the wisdom of my own intuition.
Identifying the moments when I was operating from a place of anxiety rather than intuition became my guiding principle. It allowed me to discern the authentic impulses within and to distinguish them from the noise of external pressures. This self-awareness empowered me to cultivate a narrative inquiry practice that was rooted in authenticity, curiosity, and compassion.
Narrative inquiry became my compass, guiding me through the labyrinth of personal and collective stories. I recognized that each narrative held within it the power to illuminate, heal, and transform. Through skillful questioning, I learned to unveil the underlying layers of meaning and the untapped potential within each person's story.
Reclaiming my voice
In my journey as a narrative inquirer, I discovered that the most profound transformations occur when individuals are given the space and support to explore their own narratives. By engaging in open and non-judgmental dialogue, I witnessed the emergence of new insights, perspectives, and possibilities. It was within these conversations that people tapped into their innate wisdom and found the courage to transcend their limitations.
As I continue to hone my proverbial ability, I am constantly reminded of the immense privilege and responsibility that comes with it. I understand the profound impact that my questions can have on others' lives, and I approach each inquiry with humility and respect. I strive to create a safe and sacred space for individuals to delve into the depths of their stories, empowering them to reclaim their voices and author their own narratives.
In the end, narrative inquiry is not merely a practice; it is a way of being in the world. It invites us to become active participants in our own lives, co-creating a future that aligns with our deepest aspirations. It encourages us to embrace vulnerability, trust our intuition, and celebrate the transformative power of storytelling. Through the proverbial ability of narrative inquiry, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and connection, forever enriched by the stories we encounter along the way.
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Nurturing the Inner Child: Embracing Poetry and Visionary Projects
Childhood, with its boundless capacity for love and kindness, often shapes the foundation of our perspectives and values. As a child, I was fortunate to be raised by creative and free-spirited parents who instilled in me a sense of wonder and imagination. However, alongside their artistic nature, there existed an undercurrent of anxiety and fear towards the corporate world, accompanied by an anti-capitalist philosophy that ran deep within my family roots.
It was against this backdrop that I began to perceive the looming ecological crisis, sensing its profound impact on the world around me. Every thought, every endeavour, became intricately linked to ecology and how it shaped my understanding of life itself. The weight of this realization came crashing down on me as I approached my twelfth year, and I witnessed the limitations of the adult world.
Nostalogical Forces
In response, I made a conscious decision to protect my inner child by engaging in inner dialogues. These conversations allowed me to connect my nostalgic forces and trace the shifts in my imaginative capabilities as I grew. I found solace in revisiting the writings I penned when I was just eight years old, discovering a wellspring of wisdom that transcended time.
Journaling, a practice introduced to me by my father, became an integral part of my life. Inspired by his capture of artistic ideas and philosophical insights, I found myself naturally inclined to take notes about everything, without any specific reason. It was through this process that I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, gradually finding my voice and allowing my emotions to flow freely onto the pages. Yet, I soon realized that our world is built on a subtle form of censorship disguised as freedom.
Embracing the truth
Building the courage and resilience to make sense of my visionary abilities was no easy task. For 35 years, I endured being labelled a dreamer, a clown, a flaky inconsistent unreliable vagabond or a poet, subjected to the scrutiny and skepticism of those who failed to grasp the depth and significance of my visions. However, a transformative shift occurred when I embraced the truth: I am indeed a poet that is looking at every parcel of mundane magic hidden in every second of being alive. This acceptance became the catalyst for profound change in my life, as I empowered myself to never deny or suppress that part of my being.
The poetic curiosity that had guided me through countless visionary projects and remarkable encounters revealed itself to be the most prolific and sustainable source of abundance in my life. It became evident that my ability to envision possibilities and bring them to life was a gift to be cherished, a sacred thread connecting me to a realm of infinite creativity.
Embracing this truth allowed me to tap into the wellspring of inspiration that flowed ceaselessly within me. I discovered that my poetic curiosity was not only a source of personal fulfillment but also a means of effecting positive change in the world. Through my visions and projects, I could shine a light on the interconnectedness of all things, encouraging others to recognize their own capacity for transformation and contribute to the healing of our planet.
No longer burdened by the judgments and limitations imposed by others, I stepped into the role of a steward of dreams, a weaver of words and ideas. Each day, I cultivate the abundant nature of my poetic spirit, nourishing it with the beauty of the world and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
As I reflect on my journey, I am grateful for the love and kindness that shaped my childhood, providing the fertile soil in which my imagination could flourish. I am grateful for the courage to protect my inner child and preserve the essence of who I am. And I am grateful for the poetic curiosity that has propelled me forward, leading me to remarkable encounters and transforming my life in ways I could have never imagined.
In embracing the poet within, I have discovered a limitless wellspring of abundance, a source of inspiration that sustains me through every endeavour.
Gestionnaire culturel, concepteur interactif, auteur et rédacteur
1 年Le cri du coeur du poète pris au jeu de l'imaginaire incandescent à la recherche d'outils pour donner prise à sa vision. Le défricheur entrepreneur ouvre la voie du récit démultiplié, introspectiif tout autant que participatif, interactif et engageant. Venez à la table pour y enrichir la conscience d'un nous collectif avec la quincaillerie intellectuelle et technologique qu'il nous est donné d'avoir pour explorer, créer, trouver du sens, faire écho.