In this Issue. February 2008

Feature Article - Life Doesn't Turn Out As We Expect

A Note From Director, Audrey McGuninness

Spiral Dynamics Training in Melbourne, Australia

Resources, Tools and People We Would Love to Share

Where in the World is Syzergy?

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Welcome to the first article for 2008.
You will have observed that these articles are written about once every 4-6 weeks, with no set schedule. This does break the ~rules~ somewhat, of consistency.
I am always grateful to you for taking some of you very precious time to read these little adventures in words. For the most part, the article starts to be born in my mind and then at some point after a few weeks, it needs to be birthed.
This month I am writing about a topic that has been in my face for some time. Over the holiday break somewhere I read the words: “Your life never works out the way you expect!” and I thought about that, and it is true.. Personally, I am determined to give up the disappointment I have been carrying with me for a bunch of years over the way my life has turned out, and to step into immense gratitude and the deepest of deep respects for my choices, and my path.
My wish is that this article will also support you to do the same; to review the areas in your life where you feel disappointed in the way things have turned out and be able to find the pot of gold that lies there.

To be able to walk through life in gratitude for it al l- the good, the not so good, and the bad, is a worthy endeavour.

Here’s to gratitude and a great February!

Feature Article - Life Doesn't Turn Out As We Expect

I confess, turning 40 was difficult for me. (It was also quite a while ago.) It was difficult because I expected my life to be different than it was by the time I was 40. What did I expect? I expected I would be more successful, according to the ways we define success in our culture. Basically, that I would have more “stuff”. At the least a house, actually several, in a few exotic locations, probably a lot more money, even a relationship. I expected that from the outside view I would fit all the categories of a successful self-made woman. I would be famous and wealthy.

Not only could I NOT believe I was 40, I just hadn’t made it to my picture of 40. While I wasn’t devastated, and still managed to function quite well post 40, only now, some 7 years later, am I integrating the whole experience of life not turning out the way I expected it would.

It is a most curious thing, this business of life. Some people with seemingly little intelligence or effort seem to do very well, others with great talent either hit the jackpot and fly, or spend their life in struggle.

I always thought ~making it~ was about intelligence. Hence I have always derided myself for not being all that intelligent. After all, if I was I would have ~made it~!

I have since realised that it is a little more complicated than that.

We have people who are born to wealth and privilege. Not me.
We have people who ride on the back of wealth by marrying it, or stealing it, or seducing it. (These can be the same things, and are applicable to both men and women). This was never my path. There were offers, especially in the early days, from very wealthy men who wanted to set me up in some lovely place, but the independent part of me which has a strong internal sense of not wanting to be owned, just couldn’t choose this path.
We have people whose greatest talent is the talent for business as we know it. These people are naturals. They have the Midas touch. While I am not a slouch at business, it is not my natural arena.
Then we have the ones that have lady luck as their companion. Through no explicit talent or application, they seem to land on their feet every time. I am not bereft of this lucky streak, after all I was born in Australia, and have a lifestyle that is fabulously wealthy in every way, in comparison to being born in parts of Africa, Bangladesh etc. I am certainly not unlucky.

If I look back at my life, would I change anything? Really? From a three year marriage I have the most incredible gift of my life, my daughter. No matter how bad the marriage was, (it really wasn’t, and isn’t now as an ongoing relationship), I have only gratitude for the gift of being a mother, something I never expected to be, and for being a very lucky steward to another human being. Actually, if I really dwell on this alone, I realise without too much effort, that my life is richer in so many ways, because of my being a mother. I certainly have more compassion, more patience and a greater ability to love than I would ever have had by staying childless. These qualities are of such immeasurable wealth. The simple joy I get on a daily basis from being a partner in a child’s life - no money can buy that.

From living my life in free form, not conforming to the traditional, I have incredible flexibility, great courage, the ability to be immensely creative, and to emerge through emergency. It’s not always the easiest path, as there are times when I am not sure where the next dollar will come from, but come it does. There have been times, particularly as a single parent, when I have suffered momentary paralysis from the fear of lack. However, the reality is that to be in paralysis for more than a moment was simply a luxury I couldn’t afford at all, so it was simply -take a deep breath, get up and create something. Immediately. Get into motion. I have learnt to really respect this quality in myself, as many people don’t possess this ability.

Security - what is that? How real is security as we traditionally define it? Having lots of money in the bank, having assets, a pot of gold under the bed? Does this really make us secure? It could all be gone in an instant. My form of security is trusting that I have the ability to create. More than anything though, for me security has been about giving up the fear of lack and scarcity. (This fear is endemic in our society - it runs us, fuels us and feeds us. Most of us don’t have a clue just how much we live with a mindset of scarcity. We fight wars over it, we treat our neighbours badly because of it, our need for excess is a symptom of it. A look at how subtly pervasive scarcity is in our world is a worthy article for a newsletter, deserving a more comprehensive look.)

Under no circumstance am I implying that my way of living is the right way. Could I have had a little more strategy around spending money in my younger years? Sure. Are there other ways. Absolutely. Have I been exceedingly smart with my money? Not always. Do I regret the choices I made? No.

For what reason though do I need a large asset pool? So I don’t have to work? Why would I not work? I simply don’t understand that. I love my work. I love what I do. I love it so much that everything I do is my work. The books I read, the movies I see, the travel I do. It all contributes to my work. Oh joy, for the most part, I get to do things I love. Sure there is wood to be chopped and water to carry, metaphorically speaking, however, these tasks keep me humble. I don’t see myself ever retiring. It would drive me crazy. Besides, there is far too much to do in the world!
The only reason I can see I would have a large asset pool is so I can have more stuff. And stuff requires that it be cared for. Stuff also begs the question..how much is enough? (Another great topic for a future newsletter). Already even those on the lowest level of middle class live in more luxury than any King or Queen of 150 years ago, and in better health.
Some people would say that money buys freedom-the freedom to do as you please. I have seen many people with great wealth and such huge responsibilities to take care of their wealth and their stuff that their freedom is limited. I have also seen people of great wealth who would trade it all for health. I have incredible health, through a great genetic pool and very consistent daily action towards its continuance.
I really do see that my life is very free. If I want something enough, no matter what the price tag, I know I have the resources inside of me to create it. However, I will not do anything to have it. And this is where the greatest distinction lies. That there are things I simply wouldn’t do. There are principles involved here, and my own self disciplines. These principles I am revisiting today, to be sure that they are consistent, appropriate and support me in the highest way possible. Principles such as living in my own integrity. (Big word, “integrity”; very overused in our society I believe, so I use it with care.) Integrity to me means wholeness. Natural design. Living in integrity is doing what I am born to do, in the most complete way possible. Honouring my truth from moment to moment. Acting with consistency on it. This sounds very easy, and is actually not. If it were easy, everyone would do it.

So where does this leave me at 47, looking at my life fast approaching 50? No, my life did not turn out as I expected. My hunch is that the next 50 plus years will also not turn out as I expect. Maybe the lesson is to give up the expectation entirely. Hmm. What am I expecting? Probably more of the same old expectations - wealth and fame. And if this NEVER happens, how will I be with myself in that? Will I continue to consider myself a failure? Or will I realise that I have been fabulously successful. Off the charts successful. I have raised a child almost single-handedly, and she has wanted for little, we have travelled the world, made the very best of friends with some amazing people who are doing wonderful work. I have been true to myself as much as I have been able, and always challenged myself to be increasingly more true to myself. I have learnt that I am perfectly capable to make my way in the world as an independent. I work with the most inspirational clients. I have beauty in my life in abundance. Instead of stuff I have collected experience and knowledge sprinkled with some adventure.

My work now, and probably my biggest of all challenges, is to stay completely centred in my connection to my guidance, daily, hourly, moment to moment, and to honour this, to the letter, small and big. As my great teacher Buckminster Fuller says:
“So, I simply say, what you can do personally is commit yourself to what is truth. That’s all.”

If I can do this, and do this with my life now dedicated to service to as many people as possible, to support their healthy emergence, then I will have been a success and one of the wealthiest women in the world. To that I will drink deeply.
And hey….bring on the unexpected! My new mantra - “anything can happen.”

PS. Below is the transcript of one of Buckminster Fuller’s last public speeches. For me it clarifies integrity. I hope you enjoy this.

Dr. R. Buckminster Fuller

On Integrity

I want you to think about this as individuals. An individual will say this to me, “What can I do? What can I do? I am just a little tiny guy.”

And, I say, what you can do - I’m repeating something I said to you earlier- that we are really in the final examination - I did get, last night, to you that we are a function of the universe. We’re here for local universe information gathering, local problem solving in support of the integrity of an eternally regenerative universe.

But integrity is the essence. In an invisible world there are no visible aesthetics. In an invisible world the only aesthetic is integrity. It’s our great computer world we’re going into.

So, I simply say, I am really confronting you with the way—I’ve lived through all that—because I am a comprehensivist, I’ve kept the records; that’s the only reason I’m able to say these things to you I am up to. I am giving you a very faithful record of what/s going on economically.

So, I simply say, what you can do personally is commit yourself to what is truth. That’s all.

You have to remember that we didn’t invent-design the universe, and we’re not running the universe.

I’m absolutely willing to give credit to the - I like what the Indians say - “The Great Spirit”. The word “God” tends to infer a human being’s form, so I say “The Great Spirit” so you realise that I don’t mean it anthropomorphic when I say “God”.

But, if you operate with integrity, God wants you to know right now whether human beings have the courage to go along with their own minds, or do you have to go with the crowd? Do you have to go evenly with the game or are you going to dare?

If we really dare to go with our minds, we’ll stay here. We’ll go into an entirely new era of humanity.

It will not be a matter of earning a living. You’ll be doing what you see needs to be done because you’ll feel you’ll want to do it - you’ll want to qualify to be able to serve one another. There will be nothing - you will have no question at all about earning a living.

At any rate, personally then - we’ve got two minutes to this session - it comes back to each one of you, as the numbers multiply of individuals who are willing to commit themselves to integrity - whatever the truth may be - and really commit themselves to making all of humanity a success.

You have to ask yourself the question, “Are my reflexes so conditioned that I resent someone else enjoying themselves? Am I really telling to really love my humanity, my fellow?”

If you do that, we will win. If you can do it, if it is spontaneously arousable in you to operate with integrity and really go along to love - to love comprehensively. That’s it.

A Note From Director, Audrey McGuninness

Hello Friends and Colleagues,

Following on from Christine’s Newsletter theme of “your life never works out the way you expect”, I can heartily endorse this! I have no doubt that most people over the age of 40 would also agree J. For me there have also been several goals which have not been reached; several dreams which have not been realised over the years.

Two unexpected events in my recent past are that (1) I am now a single parent, which I never imagined for myself, and (2) I have left the Syzergy partnership. The latter is a consequence of the bigger picture, which is that my financial reality demands that I earn more income than I have been for the past several years. The aspect of this turn of events which saddens me most is that I will not be working as closely with Christine as I have been over the past 2 years, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Although our plan for Syzergy did not turn out the way we envisioned, in the process of our business we have met amazing people from all over the globe, and perhaps set in motion a few significant initiatives for individuals and organisations. I am never sure how life will play out or what I will end up “doing” – this is kind of exciting and fun. I like adventures, so in that way my life has been, and continues to be, very satisfying!

These days my “career” is less important to me and the people in my life are more important to me. Which is why I wanted to work with Christine. It has been a very full 2 years – from both a personal and professional point of view. And for this I am grateful. The concept of living in gratitude is another great lesson for all of us to practice and embrace. I am grateful and happy to be able to be productive, have some play time with my family and friends, and time to be in the beauty of our new home. I would not want to have any one else’s life!

Truly, for all of us, “anything is possible”. We may not always expect or be happy with what we are dealt in life, however we can still make choices about how we react, respond and “play” with the deck of cards. I give thanks for my years at Syzergy with Christine, and look forward with anticipation to how our lives will unfold.

May we all be blessed with peace of mind and happiness with our lives!

Spiral Dynamics Training in Melbourne, Australia

The following Spiral Dynamics Integral (SDi) training and accreditation courses will be held in Melbourne in March, facilitated by Switzerland based Master Practitioner Christopher Cooke:

SDi Level 1 (two and a half days) 11-13 March 2008. SDi Level 1 training provides an introduction to the origins, basic theory
and principles of SDi and equips leaders and managers with a deeper understanding of human behaviour and the dynamics of change.

SDi Level 2 PeopleSCAN (two and a half days) 13-15 March 2008. Level 2 PeopleSCAN training equips managers and consultants with the tools and understanding to measure and analyse culture, readiness for change and the progress of change, using the Online PeopleSCAN suite of SDi based assessments.

These two courses are significant in that they represent the start of a new global training initiative by the Spiral Dynamics Group. This will include the establishment of a regional training team for Australia and New Zealand and the development of a stronger community of practice, with the aim of increasing the awareness of and application of SDi, not just in our region, but around the world.

Please contact Steve McDonald
Transcendence Pty Ltd
Tel: 03 9606 0266
Mob: 0409 633 659

Resources, Tools and People We Would Love to Share

I lucked upon two really excellent reads on my break. Both novels, however, both written by authors who write highly researched novels with a backbone of fact.
Exile - by Richard North Patterson, takes a very comprehensive look at both sides of the Israeli Palestinian situation. I can’t say it left me feeling hopeful. Certainly better educated.
Next - by Michael Crichton, a gobsmacking look at biotechnology and its implications now and into the future.

I have also seen some excellent movies (Long haul flights give me the luxury of watching many movies in one sitting.)
I loved 3:10 to Yuma, about a really bad man with some morality issues; Across the Universe, a psychedelic romp through the late 60’s with Beatles music as the background; and Charlie Wilson’s War, satirical and pointedly true, specifically when looking at the consequences of our actions, or lack thereof.

Also, do check out the following link, especially if you love chocolate and alchemy. As a daily consumer of quality chocolate, I have always believed that food made with love and loving intention cannot be bad for you (unless you consume more than you know you need.)
http://oneminuteshift.com/videos/dean_radin/intentional_chocolate
And as it is valentines day, and if we talk about chocolate we should also mention sex, check out this one minute clip by Barbara Marx Hubbard, on supra sexual co-creation.
http://oneminuteshift.com/videos/barbara_marx_hubbard/supra-sexual_cocreation

Where in the World is Syzergy?

Christine had the great fortune of spending the first two weeks of 2008 in Switzerland, with her friends and colleagues, Christopher and Alina, and their daughter Alexandra. We managed a weekend on Lake Como. The photo is taken in Como, in the Piazza.
Part of this trip was work based. Christopher, Alina and I worked on the content of the Great to Intentional programme. We will send you the second flyer in another email in the next day or so.
With such inspiring surroundings, and the space created within a very busy year, we were thrilled with the content we created. This event will be beyond anything that is on offer anywhere in the world, as far as we are aware. Designed specifically for people who see the world from a very high altitude, we address the kind of leadership that will be required to make the global transition that is occurring and will continue to occur for the next 20 years.

Given that my mantra is “anything can happen”, while I am not currently planning on travelling outside of Australia in 2008, who knows? I have my regular trips to Sydney and Melbourne, and for the time being, that is it.

Established in 1997, Syzergy is an international training and coaching company specialising in enabling people to speak the truth with compassion. Our flagship program, Dare to Care, has been delivered to audiences around the world, to great acclaim. Just in Time Coaching offers coaching solutions to organisations in ajust in time, innovative and efficient way.

©2010 Syzergy Pty Ltd
Christine McDougall is the Founding President of SYZERGY, a global innovator in helping leaders, their organizations and communities work together to address their toughest problems and create collective alignment against all odds.

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