Wow I can’t believe the ICF conference is over, it went so quickly! Now I am back in NJ I can start blogging regularly again! I thought I would blog every day at the ICF, but soon realised that was going to be difficult – with time and energy being the two things getting in the way. Kudos to Lynn Schaber from the NJPCA who managed to post to our Yahoo Group website every day!
The ICF Conference in Montreal was wonderful, if any coach is asking themselves whether its worth going, I would say definitely. You to get marinate in the soup of coaching! There were 1400 participants, and I met some wonderful people there who are doing great things. It so amazing to be part of that.
The main theme through Super Session Keynote Speakers was about global unity and awareness, being able to do something to help our planet and each other to make it the place we really want. This is from physical and spiritual standpoint. Verdana Shiva really highlighted all the major things that we as the human race are doing to the earth’s resources and how we can take responsibility in our own small way! She said, every time you use electricity or do something that depletes the planet’s energy, think of it as ‘a puff of smoke’ off the coal burning that makes the majority of the world’s energy. We can make a difference by the choices we make.
Peter Senge, a wonderful author, also spoke about the difference we can make from a socially responsible view of cultural development in organisations and society. That we can have sustainable businesses, with happy people if we go about it the right way.
Matthieu Ricard, a French Buddhist, the right hand man to the Dalai Lama, was fascinating. He spoke about how it is possible to raise our level of happiness, even when we experience the ups and downs of normal human emotions. Through the practice of meditation, your awareness, consciousness, and the opportunity to communicate with your soul, raise the brain wave activity in your brain to a level which has been scientifically proved to create happiness. He shared his scientific research with us, and it was mindblowing to see how meditation could effect us on so many levels. Just in relieving stress, the cortisol levels drop dramatically as one example. He was an inspiration.
There was so much on offer during the break out sessions. I got to experience and enjoy a Drumming Circle, and am now inspired to start one in my area! We had amazing speakers discussing ways to grow your business, and I got a lot of value from that. Also I got some CCEU’s attending Wisdom Circles where MCC coaches from around the world would coach each other in front of the room. This was a wonderful opportunity to explore the ICF guiding principles, as well as seeing really experienced coaches in action. There was so much more!
I took away that this experience can really deepen my skills as a coach, as well as connect with like-minded individuals setting the intention to create amazing lives on a global scale! I am now really looking forward to the next ICF conference which will be in Orlando Dec 2-5th 2009!
Eileen Chadnick said,
November 18, 2008 at 10:05 am
Amen! Well said…It was a spectacular four days. I just wrote a post as well on my blog…with many comments echoing yours (plus a few other observations). Hope to see you in Orlando!