Joseph Catalyst Coaching

Happy New Year from my family to yours.❤️

WINTER with me: Have you ever felt a deep, unshakeable sense of winter inside? Last year, I discovered a book that gave voice to this profound experience: Wintering by Katherine May. May's words resonated with what was simmering inside--an invitation to "winter." Katherine May has a poetic way of sharing the inevitability, pain, and beauty that comes from wintering. There are times in life that we are called to winter, to turn inward and care for ourselves with gentleness, to hold sacred space for both our joy and sorrow, and simply let it be, practicing the radical compassion that we often do to the people we hold most dear. As an Enneagram 2, caring for myself takes discipline. But, as I’ve learned to winter, I’m learning to tune into my needs to create space, to step back, to listen, and to embrace solitude. Wintering can be a lonely and painful process, but it can also be a fruitful time of tending to your soul with the same care and reverence you have holding a newborn baby. All of us have or will winter—it’s part of life. Whether you're currently in the depths of winter, have weathered past storms, or simply sense one approaching, this book offers a powerful and comforting perspective on a universal human experience. I definitely recommend this book!

Asha Joseph | MA, BCC
Board Certified Coach
Certified Spiritual Director
Joseph Catalyst Coaching
www.josephcatalystcoaching.com

A friend recommended this book and it was worth the read! It is ultimately a book on generosity— as the most generous investment is to take the time to get to know someone. In a world where most are eager to speak rather than listen, this book offers insight into taking a step back and listening, empathizing, and seeing. What was most eye-opening to me was recognizing that we often offer understanding through the lens of our own experience. So, a friend loses a job, we scan our own past, and remember a time when we experienced something similar. However, the older I get, the more I realize this method is ineffective in truly knowing someone. What is more effective for me is tabling my own experience and trying to listen to the person’s experience from his/her lens. What was the job loss like for her, especially as she grew up in poverty? How did her life story impact how this life event is experienced? For me, this goes beyond putting myself in her shoes; it involves seeing the world through her lens. This is gold and has dramatically impacted how I see other people. I definitely recommend this book!

Asha Joseph, MA , BCC
Board Certified Coach
Certified Spiritual Director
Joseph Catalyst Coaching
www.josephcatalystcoaching.com

Happy Mother’s Day! Ever since I’ve been on FB, I’ve shared about my journey in celebrating Mother’s Day. After years of being disappointed, I decided to give myself the Mother’s Day I wanted! Truth be told, I was a bit of a Momzilla-wishing I would wake up on Mother’s Day with a parade and fireworks! I’m only slightly kidding!😉 Fast forward through disappointment and tears (not because Rob and the kids weren’t wonderful; I just had unreasonable expectations), lots of maturing and gray hair, and here we are—I celebrate myself! I buy my annual flowers (the only time of year I buy myself flowers, not because I don’t like flowers, but truthfully, I get really sad when the flowers die), set up a tea party for my family (is there really anything better than a tea party?) and take family pictures (hoping less complaining will occur because it’s Mother’s Day). It’s a little tiring, I’ll be honest. But, as I celebrate my 20th Mother’s Day, I’m thankful I’ve learned to meet my needs and teach my children to be participants in their own happiness and having their needs met.

So, my friends, if you had a fantastic Mother’s Day, woohoo! What did you do? If you didn’t have a great Mother’s Day, I would love to encourage you to do something for yourself this week. Trust me, it makes all the difference!