Attending to the Moment

June 2024: Insights, Resources and News

The Moment

The moment when, after many years

of hard work and a long voyage

you stand in the centre of your room,

house, half-acre, square mile, island, country,

knowing at last how you got there,

and say, I own this,

is the same moment when the trees unloose

their soft arms from around you,

the birds take back their language,

the cliffs fissure and collapse,

the air moves back from you like a wave

and you can’t breathe.

No, they whisper. You own nothing.

You were a visitor, time after time

climbing the hill, planting the flag, proclaiming.

We never belonged to you.

You never found us.

It was always the other way round.

Margaret Atwood, 1964

Plant and other more-than-human intelligence is a subject that has long intrigued me - and I've come to understand that our anthropocentric view of the world has to change, in fact our view needs to become extinct - before we do. For me, change starts with listening deeply; it connects us at our core, and reminds us that others with different lives (and lifeforms) that they matter. Learning to listen wholeheartedly is an ongoing journey - here are some resources and ideas that I hope will help you in yours.

In this edition

• Time to Think - Listening to Liberate - a free development session
• Climate Coaching Alliance & Climate Psychology Alliance - a conversation
• Children and Eco Anxiety - how can parents help?
• The Time to Think Registered Coach Programme in October
• Pick of the Podcasts - Lifeworlds on Plant Intelligence and Neurobiology
• Restore Nature Now - family friendly march in London on 22nd June 2024

With thanks to Leslie Cross on Unsplash for the lavender photo.

Time to Think: Listening to Liberate

Free online session 11th July

Independent thinking is a critical skill in these massively challenging times with political & economic uncertainty, culture wars, climate change, biodiversity loss, conflicts and pain around the world, and so much more to deal with.

Listening is an equally critical skill, yet it’s hard to master when everything feels and often is so pressurised and urgent. It’s critical because actually it is KEY to independent thinking!

So how do we develop both?

Come along and discover at this free personal & professional development session with me on Zoom on 11th July 09.30-11.00am BST / UTC. There are just 6 places.

"I have just spent what might well be the most insightful, enjoyable and thought provoking 90 mins on a zoom session with Linda Aspey. So many takeaways, plus a book to be bought (and read), thoughts to be digested and processed, new connections made plus a whole lot more". KT, May 2024

Come and experience deep connection



The Climate Psychology Alliance and the Climate Coaching Alliance in conversation

The psychology of our climate, ecological and social crises are profoundly important to understand - how can we face into difficult truths and what do we do once we have accepted the situation?

The Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA), and the Climate Coaching Alliance (CCA) work with common purpose to support people as they learn and respond to these crises. What are we learning? And how is our work evolving?  

Join me and Stu Pickles for an online discussion and workshop on Tuesday 25th June to explore:

• What might be some of the key differences between psychologists and coaches in relation to their respective approaches working with people on the climate and ecological crisis. 
• What might we be able to learn from each other? 
• And what might be some areas of opportunity for collaboration between CPA/CCA, and between psychologists and coaches?

Members and non-members of either organisation are welcome to join us.

Children and Eco Anxiety - how can parents help?

According to new research* out reported in The Independent by youth empowerment and conservation charity Action for Conservation, a massive 64% of children aged 11-16 surveyed said that they were experiencing ‘eco-anxiety’.

Climate change used to feel distant for many of us around the world but as global temperatures increase more people are experiencing extreme weather events like floods, wildfires and droughts. Add to that our lived experience of a pandemic, daily news of nature depletion, and the rise in pollution in the air, soil and water, it’s no wonder that many people, particularly parents, young people and children are worried.

So what can parents do?

The Independent approached me for comment. You can probably guess what I suggested...

“Ask them what they know about climate change and how they feel. And then just listen, really listen. Not when you’re texting on your phone but giving them your genuine uninterrupted attention. Deep listening can be transformative and whilst this certainly won’t be the only conversation you have about climate change, their experience of it will pave the way for more.”

Read the Independent article for more

* Full research study not yet published - I hope to share it in the next newsblog.

Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash

The Time to Think Registered Coach programme in the Cotswolds / South Midlands

Have you done a Thinking Partnership programme and feel ready to take your listening and professional coaching expertise to a new level?

Then come along to my next immersive in-person Time to Think Coaching course in the beautiful North Cotswolds / South Midlands (CV36). We'll have three days in person on 7, 8 and 9 October 2024, with a third day online on 31st October.

As faculty of Nancy Kline's "Time to Think" organisation, I've been teaching this deeply inspirational approach for many years to coaches, managers and leaders who want to support their clients and colleagues in going to the cutting edge of their own thinking.

It’s radical, transformative and in many ways disruptive to many people’s existing ideas of what coaching is or should be; it's a way of being as a coach, not a way of doing.

"The greatest thing I have ever done is learn how to think for myself" Benjamin Zephaniah

Pick of the Podcasts

"Lifeworlds"

This is a podcast series that explores how to orient your life around nature — told through the perspective of other lifeworlds.

What is it like being a plant?

In this episode the brilliant host Alexa Firmenich taks with Paco Calvo, co author of Planta Sapiens about the emerging science of plant intelligence & neurobiology. I found it compelling!

Restore Nature Now - peaceful march on 22nd June 2024, central London

The natural world is in trouble and we need to take action.

The Restore Nature Now march is supported by a diverse group of dozens of wildlife and environment organisations (including the RSPB, The Wildlife Trusts, The Climate Coalition, WWF-UK, National Trust, WWT, Woodland Trust, Wildlife and Countryside Link, Rewilding Britain, Extinction Rebellion and Chris Packham) who are united in their demand to #RestoreNatureNow  

I'll be with Business Declares and also representing the Climate Psychology Alliance - contact me if you'd like to meet up and say hello.

Like a Time to Talk With Me?

If you would like to talk about anything you've read here, or how I could help you, your team or your organisation, then please get in touch.

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